Telebridge NetworkStatus and Future

Dave Taylor, W8AASU.S. Delegate to ARISS-International

w8aas@amsat.org

Background

• Telebridge network began in 1985

• Supported SAREX mission for Tony England

• Telebridge stations have been a United States responsibility since then

Recent History

• In 2008, we began a search for additional telebridge stations

• In 2009, we added– LU8YY and LU1CGB in Argentina– VK6MJ in Australia

• In 2010, we added– IK1SLD in Italy

Current Stations

• 9 active telebridge stations– AH6NM, Hawaii, USA– IK1SLD, Casale Monferrato, Italy– K6DUE, Maryland, USA– LU1CGB, Buenos Aires, Argentina– LU8YY, San Luis, Argentina– W6SRJ, California, USA– VK4KHZ, Queensland, Australia– VK5ZAI, South Australia, Australia– VK6MJ, Western Australia, Australia

Current Stations (cont.)

• In development– VE4ISS, Winnipeg, Canada

• Inactive– ON4ISS, Belgium– W5RRR, Texas, USA

Telebridge Locations

K6DUE

W5RRR

VE4ISS

W6SRJ

AH6NM

VK4KHZ

IK1SLD

LU1CGB

LU8YY

VK5ZAIVK6MJ

Active Inactive Future

ON4ISS

Evaluation Process

• Get details about operator and station

• Review application

• Conduct test pass

Selection Criteria

• Considerations for approving a telebridge station include:– Location– Technical– Language– Access– Legal

Impact of Added Stations

• Increased processing when generating best weeks and pass options

• Increased work to filter options and check station availability

• Decreased contacts for existing stations, particularly if footprints overlap– Station operators become out-of-practice

• Time spent tracking status of station, monitoring performance

Current Status

• We receive occasional requests from interested hams

• Three requests pending– Italy– Malaysia– Brazil

Proposal

• ARISS should take over operation of the telebridge network from AMSAT-NA

• The Operations Committee should be responsible for selecting and managing telebridge stations

• The ARISS-I Delegates should be responsible for approving new stations