Satellite enthusiasts in Sweden are calling on a dozen makers of Japanese and Chinese handheld transceivers to produce radios that have full duplex FM capabilities - enabling users to copy their own downlink while transmitting.

In an open letter to the various companies -- such as AnyTone, Kenwood, TYT, Yaesu and Alinco -- AMSAT-SM said hams are seeking equipment that would permit an operator to transit and receive at the same time on different bands without any desensing. According to an AMSAT News Service report, an older Kenwood model had that ability but it has been discontinued and nothing is on the market to replace it.

The letter was signed by Lars Thunberg, SMØTGU. A copy of it is posted on the AMSAT-SM website.

The AMSAT News Service report said that a handful of the dozen companies responded and one company - which was not identified - said they were discussing the request. There were no other details available.