DRAFT! PCSAT2 USER SERVICE AGREEMENT 23 May 2003 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- de WB4APR Updated 26 Aug 2005 (Launch) Updated 23 Oct 2005 (Added remote environmental and data sensors) Updated 4 Dec 2005 (Added caution re: interferring with crew voice) (and emphasis on mobile communications) SERVICE: PCSAT2 may be operated in a number of modes to serve the Amateur Satellite Community. Particularly, its goal is to facilitate contacts with mobile stations. Grade of service depends on user adherence to power levels, transmission period, modulation modes and precedence criteria and authorized modes only. POLICY STATEMENT: PCSAT2 is an open system in accordance with the ITU regulations for the Amateur Satellite Service. To provide the best overall through- put for the largest collection of users, PCSAT2 transponders are protocol driven and require that all users adhere to the fundamental protocol requirements. Users that adhere to these published protocol and operating standards are very welcome to use the transponders in accordance with the ITU rules. Operations outside of these conditions are not authorized and will need to be approved on a case basis. AGREEMENTS: You may use PCSAT2 for your own communications and experimentation if you adhere to the following agreements: 0) IF PCSAT2 is operating with a 145.825 downlink, it has the potential to occassionally block the crew from hearing uplinks if they are trying to make voice contacts. For this reason, IF PCSAT2 is on 145.825 downlink, then users are REQUIRED to verify that there is no crew voice operations on 145.800 before using PCSAT2 digipeater. 1) PCSAT2 is for users and data applications. It is NOT for UNATTENDED beaconing of fixed text from fixed stations. Unattended beacons from fixed stations except for remote data or environmental sensors at low rates are not authorized. 1b However, since the PCSAT series of satellites were designed for the purpose of promoting an Amateur Radio Satellite capability for mobiles, the unatteneded beaconing from a vehicle at a 5 minute rate for the purpose of assessing success statistics is authorized. (new as of 4 Dec 2005) 2) The PCSAT2 packet transponder is for UI digipeating only. No CONNECTIONS either TO or THROUGH the packet system are normally authorized. All transmissions are expected to have extremely low duty-cycles. 3) The PCSAT2 PSK-31 analog Transponder is for PSK-31 operations only but CW or other narrowband modes may be authorized when loading is light. SSB voice or other broadband signals are NOT authorized. When you hear the downlink on 435.275, you are welcome to use it! (This transponder is inop). 4) The use of the PCSAT2 crossband FM repeater is a backup for the Kenwood ARISS radio already on board. Activation is not anticipated unless explicitly set up by ARISS for specific school purposes. 5) Keep informed of the current operating requirements via the PCSAT2 and ARISS web pages and/or via bulletins in the downlink. For Packet mode, the requested routine uplink rate is only 1 routine position/status packet per 2 minutes (attended). 5 minutes if unattended mobile. One-line messages may be somewhat more frequent in a dialog context. The BText from PCSAT2 will announce the authorized routine rate for mobiles using the syntax: "OPS-Normal 2m rate...." etc. 6) Understand that the PCSAT2 PACKET mission and your objective is to get your position, message, status or other data or sensor telemetry digipeated once or so per pass footprint. Share the resource. Minimize your transmissions.. 7) The PCSAT2's digipeater uses the same aliases as ARISS: VIA ARISS Like the terrestrial network, PCSAT2 does callsign-substitution of its own MYCALL to indicate that it has digipeated the packet. Other aliases are WIDE and APRSAT as well as WIDE2-2. 8) Use only the authorized power levels, channel and periodicity for your station class and precedence as posted and published below. These are the routine default packet transmission rates: STATION CLASS PWR BAUD UPLINK PERIOD DIGIPATH DOWNLINK* ---------------- --- ---- ------- ------- -------- --------- Mobile (attended) 50W 1200 145.825 2 mins APRSAT 435.275 Mobile (parked) 50W 1200 145.825 5 mins APRSAT 435.275 Handi-Talkie 5W 1200 145.825 1 min APRSAT 435.275 * Sometimes the dowlink may be on 145.825 in which case, unattended operation is not authorized unless effort is made to assure the crew is not using 145.800 for voice. 9) Use the shortest possible packets. Mic-E protocol, Grid Square or APRS compressed are preferred (typically 30 bytes or so). ALso Use a short TX Delay (TXD) of about 150ms or less if possible. 10) Determine your own precedence based on your current communications requirements for each pass. In general, all use is routine except for special circumstances. SPECIAL usage is for students, schools, demonstrations, and long term events. PRIORITY usage may be for VIP demos or special one-time events. Use good judgment, being fair to all other usrs. To alert other users of any SPECIAL or PRIORITY operations, be sure to include a note in your packets. SAFE MODE: Whenever PCSAT2 RESETS to "safe mode" all transmissions will cease. Do not continue to transmit until you again hear activity on the downlink. ACCEPTANCE: If you accept the conditions of operation via PCSAT2, please sign this document and post it in your Amateur Satellite Operating station. Enjoy PCSAT2! It will only last a year before the equipment is returned to earth. SIGNATURE: _______________________________________ Date: _______________________