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The International Amateur Radio Union has welcomed the exclusion
from consideration of all existing Amateur and Amateur Satellite
frequency allocations for potential use by non amateur satellites.
World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 last month in Geneva
recommended an agenda item for the next WRC in 2019 involving
spectrum studies for short mission satellites that removes from
consideration the Amateur Satellite allocations at 2 meters and 70
centimeters.  This is an excellent result for the amateur services
and clearly shows that non amateur satellite constructors need to
consider spectrum other than the very limited and congested segments
that are available for amateur satellites at 144 MHz and 435 MHz,
said IARU President Tim Ellam, VE6SH/G4HUA.  WRC 19 Agenda Item 1.7
calls on delegates to study the spectrum needs for telemetry,
tracking and command in the space operation service for non GSO
satellites with short duration missions, to assess the suitability
of existing allocations to the space operation service and, if
necessary, to consider new allocations, in accordance with
Resolution COM6/19.  Resolution COM6/19 specifies 150.05 to 174 MHz
and 400.15 to 420 MHz as the frequency ranges that may be considered
for possible new allocations.  One factor the conference considered
in deciding on those particular frequency ranges was that, contrary
to the provisions of the ITU Radio Regulations defining the Amateur
and Amateur Satellite services, some non amateur satellites have
used frequencies for telemetry, tracking and command in the
frequency bands 144 to 146 MHz and 435 to 438 MHz which are
allocated to the Amateur Satellite Service.  Solar indicators
dropped this week, with average daily sunspot numbers at 41.6 from
November 26 through December 2, down from 62.7 in the previous seven
days.  Average daily solar flux dropped 18 points, from 115.2 to
97.2. A week ago the predicted average daily solar flux for the same
period was 111.4, more than 14 points above the actual outcome.
Average daily planetary A index was 9.9, while average daily mid
latitude A index was 6.6, more than double the two figures for the
previous week, 4.1 and 3.1 respectively. But there were no days with
high geomagnetic activity. The most was on Monday and Tuesday, with
planetary A index at 19 and 14 indicating moderately unsettled
conditions.  Predicted solar flux is 95 on December 4, 90 on
December 5 to 8, 95 on December 9 and 10, 105 on December 11, 115 on
December 12 and 13, then 110, 105 and 100 on December 14 to 16, and
then 105 on December 17 and 18.  Next its 110 on December 19 and 20,
105 on December 21, and 100 on December 22 to 26.  Following this
coming week the lowest predicted solar flux is on just one day, at
95 on December 27, five days after the Winter Solstice.  Predicted
planetary A index is 8 on December 4 and 5, then 18, 25, 20 and 15
on December 6 to 9, then 8 on December 10 to 15, then 10 and 8 on
December 16 and 17, 5 on December 18 to 23 and 8 on December 24 to
26. The next period of unsettled to active geomagnetic conditions is
December 28, with a predicted planetary A index of 25. The planetary
A index doesnt settle down to 5 again until mid January.  My own
archives of the NOAA/USAF daily 45 day forecast for solar flux and
planetary A index are in downloadable spreadsheet format at
//bit.ly/1VOqf9B and //bit.ly/1DcpaC5 .  Sunspot numbers were 56,
48, 36, 47, 51, 27, and 26, with a mean of 41.6. 10.7 cm flux was
103.9, 98.9, 96.6, 95.5, 95.7, 94.6, and 95.3, with a mean of 97.2.
Estimated planetary A indices were 3, 7, 8, 9, 19, 14, and 9, with a
mean of 9.9. Estimated mid latitude A indices were 2, 4, 5, 7, 10,
11, and 7, with a mean of 6.6.


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