XU7AMO (Cambodia) starts regular radio operation via QO-100

The Cambodian Amateur Radio Group(CAMRG) is resuming regular satellite operation of its club station XU7AMO at the National Polytechnic Institute of Cambodia (NPIC). Following the successful re-installation of its own permanent QO-100 ground station, the station will be active weekly via the geostationary amateur radio satellite QO-100 (Es’hail-2) from mid-May 2026. Shortwave operation in the 15-meter band is also planned.

🛰️ QO-100 Sessions (from May 15, 2026)

• Day: every Friday
• Time: 12:00 UTC (19:00 local time Cambodia)
• Downlink frequency: 10,489.900 MHz (X-band)
• Uplink frequency: 2,400.400 MHz (S-band)
• Mode: SSB

A unique teaching and experimental laboratory “in orbit”

Operation via the geostationary amateur radio satellite “Qatar OSCAR 100” (QO-100) takes place in a university environment and is expressly aimed at training, promoting young talent and practical engineering education. Geostationary satellite radio allows for predictable, recurring training and teaching formats – ideal for training operations, laboratory practicals and project work as part of technical degree courses. This fits directly with the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) classification that amateur radio and the amateur radio satellite service promote education, innovation and emergency communications and open up paths to STEM careers.

At the same time, XU7AMO’s activities will also focus on the “social spread” of the AMSAT community and international understanding. To make the best use of airtime, a mixture of extended, relaxed and informal “Ragchew” sessions and high activity DX windows will be offered.

International cooperation: Qatar, QARS, AMSAT-DL

The QO-100 (Es’hail-2) satellite itself is the result of exceptional international cooperation:

• Qatar and Es’hailSat (Qatar Satellite Company) are making amateur radio transponders permanently available on a commercial geostationary satellite for the first time worldwide.
• The Qatar Amateur Radio Society (QARS) provided significant support for this project at national level.
• AMSAT-DL was responsible for the design, development and operation of the amateur radio payload (“Phase 4-A”).

This commitment has created an infrastructure that is unique in the world and is now used for training, university operations and the promotion of young talent – as in the example of XU7AMO.

Significance for the amateur radio community

The resumption of regular QO-100 operation from Cambodia is not only interesting from a DX point of view. It shows how amateur radio:

• Combining education and international understanding
• introduces young radio amateurs to space and communications technology
• enables global cooperation across continents

AMSAT-DL expressly welcomes this activity and wishes the XU7AMO team at the NPIC many successful contacts via Qatar-OSCAR-100. Special thanks also go to the JAMSAT team, especially Mikio Mouri (JA3GEP/XU7GP) and Paulo Jorge (F5VMJ/XU7PJ) for their active support.