signal@houxf.UUCP (J.BODDIE) (08/08/84)
x In reviewing the FCC regulations recently, I ran across the following question: 97.403 (a) Definition of Space Operation. Space-to-earth and space-to-space, Amateur Radio communication from a station which is beyond, is intended to go beyond, or has been beyond the major portion of the earth's atmosphere. 97.407 Eligibility for space operation. Amateur Radio stations licensed to Amateur Extra Class operators are eligible for space operation (see 97.403(a)). The station licensee may permit any Amateur Radio operator to be the control operator, subject to the privileges of the control operator's class of license (see 97.7). My 1983 Callbook lists W5LFL as an Advanced Class licensee. Did Owen get a waver of 97.407 from the FCC, or am I missing something here? -73- Jim Boddie KC2VQ houxf!signal
glc@akgua.UUCP (G.L. Cleveland [Lindsay]) (08/14/84)
Jim Boddie (KC2VQ) raised the question about Owen Garriott operating in space without an Extra-Class license. I thought I might see someone else respond, but nothing so far. So here is the quote from the "W5YI REPORT", July 15, 1983: Astronaut Dr. Owen Garriott, W5LFL, scheduled later this uear aboard the NASA "Spacelab 1" on the Space Suttle Columbia wrote the FCC on June 1, and 13. He explained the operation in technical detail and requested waivers of certain provisions of the Amateur-Satellite Service Rules to permit him to operate a ham radio station aboard Space Transport System flight 9. Garriott sought the approval on the basis that it "will advance the long tradition of achievement in the Amateur Radio Service." STS-9 is scheduled to take place between September 30 and October 8, 1983. Dr. Garriott is a licensed Advancded Class amateur radio operator and will be the first ham to operate from space. . . . In favorably ruling on the Garriott request, the FCC's Jim McKinney (Chief of the Private Radio Bureau) said that waivers were "in keeping with our statutory mandate to provide experimental uses of radio frequencies, and to encourage the larger and more effective use of radio in the public interest." The Temporary Waiver Order was signed by McKinney on June 27 and specifically acknowledged the pioneering nature of Dr. Garriott's venture. Hope this clears thinks up. 73, Lindsay W4IZI Lindsay Cleveland (...{ihnp4|mcnc|sdcsvax|clyde}!akgua!glc) AT&T Technologies/Bell Laboratories ... Atlanta, Ga (404) 447-3909 ... Cornet 583-3909