Question
Who may be the control operator of a station communicating through an amateur satellite or space station?
Answer Options
- A) Only an Amateur Extra Class operator
- B) A General class or higher licensee with a satellite operator certification
- C) Only an Amateur Extra Class operator who is also an AMSAT member
- D) Any amateur allowed to transmit on the satellite uplink frequency
Correct Answer: D
Explanation
To communicate through an amateur satellite (including the ISS), your station’s control operator must hold a license class that permits operation on the satellite’s designated uplink frequency. The rule is that the control operator must be any amateur allowed to transmit on the satellite uplink frequency.
Since many amateur satellites use VHF and UHF uplink frequencies (e.g., the 2-meter band), a Technician class operator has the necessary privileges to be the control operator for most of these satellite contacts, without needing a higher license class or special certification.
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