Satellite Operating for Amateur Radio is a user guide intended strictly for educational and informational purposes. All content is designed to support the learning and development of amateur radio operators across all experience levels. Nothing in this book constitutes professional engineering advice, legal counsel, or regulatory guidance of any kind.
Amateur radio and satellite communication are governed by national and international law. In the United States, operators must hold a valid license issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and comply with Part 97 of the FCC Rules. Operators in other countries must follow the requirements of their respective national telecommunications authorities and the applicable guidelines of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Nothing in this book should be read as permission to operate outside your licensed privileges.
Equipment specifications, satellite availability, frequencies, and regulatory frameworks change over time. Readers are strongly encouraged to verify all technical details and operating procedures against current sources, including AMSAT bulletins, manufacturer documentation, and their national telecommunications authority. The author assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from the use of information contained in this book.
Most amateur radio operators never make a satellite contact. Not because it's impossible, but because nobody told them how close they actually are to doing it.
Satellite Operating for Amateur Radio: Your Essential Guide to Amateur Radio Satellite Communication and Orbit Operations is a practical user guide written for licensed amateur radio operators who want to understand, set up, and confidently operate through amateur radio satellites. Whether you're picking up a handheld radio for the first time or you've been making terrestrial contacts for years and want to go further, this book was built for you.
Across 16 structured chapters, you'll learn how amateur satellites actually work, the orbital mechanics behind every pass, how to select the right radio and antenna for your budget, what Doppler shift is and how to manage it during a live pass, and how to use satellite tracking software to predict and prepare for contacts. The guide also covers digital modes, ISS and ARISS operations, portable field operating, CubeSats, station optimization, and the regulations and ethics every operator needs to know.
This is not a book you read once and shelve. It's a working reference you come back to as your skills grow.
Picture this: you're standing outside with a simple handheld radio and a directional antenna. You've checked the pass prediction, you know the satellite is rising, and you're listening carefully as you adjust your frequency. Then a voice breaks through. Faint at first, then clear. You respond. Exchange callsigns. And just like that, you've made a contact through an object orbiting hundreds of kilometers above the Earth.
That moment is real. It's repeatable. And this guide shows you exactly how to get there.
Beginners will find a clear, progressive structure that builds from first principles without skipping the details that actually matter in practice. Experienced operators will find an honest technical reference for antenna systems, transponder discipline, station engineering, and advanced operating technique. Educators and club leaders will find a resource structured well enough to teach from, chapter by chapter.
Every concept in this book is connected to a real operating situation. You won't just learn what something is. You'll learn why it matters and what to do with it.
Get your copy today and start working satellites the right way.
