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CX2SA > SATDIG 22.07.14 18:03l 787 Lines 29609 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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From: CX2SA@CX2SA.SAL.URY.SA
To : SATDIG@WW
Today's Topics:
1. Thanks for sprout QSL card (andy thomas)
2. Re: Amazon Smile (Burns Fisher)
3. Re: I want this. I want that. Here comes another FM LEO sat.
(Clayton Coleman)
4. LO78 (PY5LF)
5. Re: I want this. I want that. Here comes another FM LEO sat.
(John Becker)
6. Re: I want this. I want that. Here comes another FM LEO sat.
(Paul Stoetzer)
7. CAPE-2 over Brazil #3754 (Roland Zurmely)
8. Re: going digital (JoAnne Maenpaa)
9. Re: Amazon Smile (Martha)
10. FM birds (wa4hfn@xxxxxxx.xxxx
11. Re: FM birds (Paul Stoetzer)
12. Digital Satellites Question (Dave Marthouse)
13. Re: Amazon Smile (Brenton Salmi)
14. Inclusion (Kevin M)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 13:30:53 +0100
From: andy thomas <andythomasmail@xxxxx.xx.xx>
To: yusuke yamaguchi <yusuke.y016@xxxxx.xxx>, "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx
<amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Thanks for sprout QSL card
Message-ID:
<1406032253.50588.YahooMailNeo@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx.xxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Thanks to you and the Sprout team for the QSL card, issuance No. 5, for?
receiving and reporting telemetry from Sprout.?
73 de andy G0SFJ
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 08:35:33 -0400
From: Burns Fisher <burns@xxxxxx.xx>
To: Bryan Herbert <ke6zgp@xxxxx.xxx>
Cc: AMSAT Mailing List <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Amazon Smile
Message-ID:
<CABX7KxUc=skkw-TO7uy1UkwV8T=HZBmdmcRW8DiZ1ZrG3tNzhg@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
I've also signed up, and have probably bought a few hundred dollars worth
of stuff since then. .5% is not huge, and is probably more helpful to
Amazon (via publicity) than to AMSAT, but it can't hurt.
I would add that usually I go directly to the Smile page with my link, but
on the rare occasion when I might follow another link or even type in
amazon.com, Amazon reminds me that I am signed up for Smile. Not bad.
Burns
On Tue, Jul 22, 2014 at 2:12 AM, Bryan Herbert <ke6zgp@xxxxx.xxx> wrote:
> I also signed up and have bought a few things but it is my understanding
> only 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products goes to AMSAT. So if
> you buy a DVD worth $19.99 and it's eligible for AmazonSmile, roughly $0.10
> of that $19.99 will go to AMSAT but I think Amazon waits until something
> like $100 is collected before sending any money to AMSAT.
>
> --
> Bryan Herbert - KE6ZGP
> Newhall, CA. DM04RJ USA
> http://bryanherbert.com
> http://twitter.com/ke6zgp
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 08:49:18 -0500
From: Clayton Coleman <kayakfishtx@xxxxx.xxx>
To: Phil Karn <karn@xxxx.xxx>, AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] I want this. I want that. Here comes another
FM LEO sat.
Message-ID:
<CAPovOwdRPFpLNtFw9Uc5_ev2tc9SAb5AqATDYTiYJAUp-o35jA@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Hi Phil,
The new era I speak of is AMSAT-NA's foray into CubeSats. Certainly FM
birds are nothing new. I'd like to see more efficient modes and methods
in the future. Perhaps leverage a smartphone interface for the roving
digital operator?
I am a firm believer in the direction of replenishing the FM satellite
fleet. They are a great entry point into amateur satellite operations and
experimentation for many. They aren't the only path but is something most
hams can do since dualband HT's have become ubiquitous. I've also been
using, with success, the FUNcube Dongle Pro+ to interest people in
telemetry and digital.
73
Clayton
W5PFG
On Jul 22, 2014 12:40 AM, "Phil Karn" <karn@xxxx.xxx> wrote:
> On 07/21/2014 05:36 PM, Clayton Coleman wrote:
>
> > It's very easy to be a pessimist or a cynic. Very little risk is
> > involved. It doesn't take any cojones to sit in a comfy chair and
> > email snarky comments. If you are optimistic about a project and it
> > fails, your peers may see your actions as a fool.
>
> I absolutely agree, but I must ask you about something you said earlier:
>
> > I am pleased that AMSAT-NA is going to move forward with a LEO
> > CubeSat, single channel, analog FM transponder. If successful, it
> > will be immensely popular worldwide. My hope is that it will help
> > usher in a new, improved series of satellites with more advanced
> > payloads.
>
> I'm confused. My understanding of the idiomatic expression "usher in" is
> that something new and presumably revolutionary is being introduced,
> e.g., to "usher in a new era".
>
> What, exactly, will a new LEO, single channel, analog FM transponder
> satellite "usher in" that none of the previous LEO, single channel,
> analog FM satellites managed to usher in?
>
> Will the tiny cubesat form factor (to which we've been relegated by the
> intense competition for launches from the small satellite revolution we
> pioneered) make the difference this time? If not, what will?
>
> The most common argument I've seen for launching more analog FM LEO
> satellites is that they are needed to replace existing analog FM LEO
> satellites that are now failing. Is that "ushering in" something new?
>
> --Phil
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 10:57:04 -0300
From: "PY5LF" <py5lf@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx>
To: <AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx>, <starcom-bb-bounces@xxxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] LO78
Message-ID: <000a01cfa5b4$d4a84e90$7df8ebb0$@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Hi
Heard the transponder of Lutianicasat-1 a few minutes ago , good signal
.Only me calling .
73
PY5LF
Luciano Fabricio
Curitiba-PR-BR GG54jm
http://www.qrz.com/db/PY5LF
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 09:09:14 -0500
From: John Becker <w0jab@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] I want this. I want that. Here comes another
FM LEO sat.
Message-ID: <53CE708A.8010809@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
I dont keep up with these things at all but what happen to the others?
failed, dropped out of orbit, what?
One day someone is going to be saying "sorry, ghost rider the pattern
is full"
JAB
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 10:21:15 -0400
From: Paul Stoetzer <n8hm@xxxx.xxx>
To: John Becker <w0jab@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Cc: "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] I want this. I want that. Here comes another
FM LEO sat.
Message-ID:
<CABzOSOoPZLPbXSzyub4Nk04dHyeWEO56PG+REQ3g9OxqPzOwVg@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Off the top of my head:
AO-51 - Battery failure (Problem fixed in Fox series - shorted
batteries will be cut loose from the circuit and the satellite will
operate when in the sun)
AO-27 - Likely radiation damaged memory (Problem fixed in Fox series -
IHU failure will cause it to become a dumb FM repeater)
HO-68 - Failed relay (Problem fixed in Fox series I think - no relays)
73,
Paul, N8HM
On Tue, Jul 22, 2014 at 10:09 AM, John Becker <w0jab@xxxxxxxxx.xxx> wrote:
> I dont keep up with these things at all but what happen to the others?
> failed, dropped out of orbit, what?
>
> One day someone is going to be saying "sorry, ghost rider the pattern is
> full"
>
> JAB
>
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 07:24:33 -0700
From: Roland Zurmely <py4zbz@xxxxx.xxx>
To: AMSAT <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] CAPE-2 over Brazil #3754
Message-ID:
<1406039073.3887.YahooMailNeo@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx.xxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Successful commands:
22/07/2014 10:24:26 *forcebeac#
Recieved Beacon:
+W5UL,CAPE-2,f,GR,201301281930CST,5324mV,01003,f,19C,18C,ulcape.org#
22/07/2014 10:24:54 *dump#
Recieved Health Beacon:
W5UL,5318,825,5303,3,5298,53,5298,GR,001,19,18,ulcape.org#
Sat?lite CAPE
?
? ? ? ? ? ?
Sat?lite CAPE
Sat?lite CAPE-2
= LO-75 ? por PY4ZBZ? em 28-11-2013???????
rev. 22-07-2014 ? Recep??o do primeiro
beacon em AX25. Primeira execu??o de
comandos co...
View on www.qsl.net Preview by Yahoo
?
73 de Roland.
------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 09:27:00 -0500
From: "JoAnne Maenpaa" <k9jkm@xxxxxxx.xxx>
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] going digital
Message-ID: <002301cfa5b9$00494b90$00dbe2b0$@xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Circumstances in the launch business have driven many groups,
including AMSAT, to select the cubesat path to space. Arguing about an
on-going project isn't productive but I find discussions about future
possibilities interesting. These discussions don't have come at the
expense of the current project plan (such as why use FM when this
project is already 2 years in progress). We do have future satellites
still on the drawing board however!
On the digital radio front Phil makes a very good point ...
> So many hams seem to automatically assume, for no good reason,
> that getting on any new digital mode must necessarily require
> exotic, expensive and hard to find components and a PhD to use.
> But the required hardware is now very common, and nearly all
> of the "complexity" that defines any particular digital communi-
> cation system these days is implemented almost entirely in soft-
> ware that costs nothing to copy and distribute once written.
I used free software, my FT-857, small yagis at fixed elevation on a
TV rotor to decode Delfi, ARISSat, FUNcube, and 2-way with ISS packet.
The computer that does this is a bargain e-machine box with the only
modification being additional memory.
The software tools for digital modes on these satellites were a free
download. The key to getting the software and your computer to do this
requires one additional piece of hardware if you use an external
radio. If you use one of the various flavors of Dongles on your
computer you only need to add a software audio path (another
download).
When thinking of projects to enter into the digital communication
world plan on building or buying that digital interface to connect
your radio to the soundcard. A few days or weeks spent on the
soundcard interface is the key link to enter this exciting other half
of satellite operating.
There are many paths to soundcard digital interfaces. Google is your
friend. I bet a local dealer would love to sell you a RigBlaster
(which many have had good luck with).
I used a less expensive off-the-shelf digital interface from a place
called Donner Digital Interfaces. He sells it on the web:
http://www.donnerstore.org/ ... the page is quite an entrepreneur
operation, select digital interfaces from the menu on the left side.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34dy21z2I8Y ... shows how to set up a
Donner interface to your rig. More good news ... the setup for the
digital interface is the same for HF, VHF, or UHF. Once installed you
have digital modes on all bands. (On HF I use the JT-65 software which
often decodes DX signals so weak I cannot hear them by ear - it was
just another software download.) PSK and SSTV were more downloads. But
ya gotta install that Soundcard interface to get to this good stuff!
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/2073 ... some reviews and
discussion to help your research.
--
73 de JoAnne K9JKM
k9jkm@xxxxx.xxx
Editor, AMSAT Journal
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 10:45:00 -0400
From: Martha <martha@xxxxx.xxx>
To: Burns Fisher <burns@xxxxxx.xx>
Cc: AMSAT Mailing List <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Amazon Smile
Message-ID:
<CAPk0USzvFFYKUOfFAaUti_2_aPUtF9ERABRqgpnKtSiNe7JyUA@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
To date, we have received $66.62 from Amazon Smile
73- Martha
On Tue, Jul 22, 2014 at 8:35 AM, Burns Fisher <burns@xxxxxx.xx> wrote:
> I've also signed up, and have probably bought a few hundred dollars worth
> of stuff since then. .5% is not huge, and is probably more helpful to
> Amazon (via publicity) than to AMSAT, but it can't hurt.
>
> I would add that usually I go directly to the Smile page with my link, but
> on the rare occasion when I might follow another link or even type in
> amazon.com, Amazon reminds me that I am signed up for Smile. Not bad.
>
> Burns
>
>
> On Tue, Jul 22, 2014 at 2:12 AM, Bryan Herbert <ke6zgp@xxxxx.xxx> wrote:
>
> > I also signed up and have bought a few things but it is my understanding
> > only 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products goes to AMSAT. So if
> > you buy a DVD worth $19.99 and it's eligible for AmazonSmile, roughly
> $0.10
> > of that $19.99 will go to AMSAT but I think Amazon waits until something
> > like $100 is collected before sending any money to AMSAT.
> >
> > --
> > Bryan Herbert - KE6ZGP
> > Newhall, CA. DM04RJ USA
> > http://bryanherbert.com
> > http://twitter.com/ke6zgp
> > _______________________________________________
> > Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
> > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
> program!
> > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
> >
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>
--
73- Martha
------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 14:49:59 +0000 (UTC)
From: wa4hfn@xxxxxxx.xxx
To: AMSAT <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] FM birds
Message-ID:
<367033020.803383.1406040599935.JavaMail.root@xxxxxxx.xxxxxxxxxxx.xx.xxxx.xxxx
xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
I hope someone can launch a 100 of them, single channel ,pileup ,total chaos
,someone keying down on the entire pass what more would you want.
All we need to bust a crazy pile up is a 300 watt mfj amp right? Lets all
work to the good of the satellite part of the hobby. SSB/CW birds are the
only way to go and if you build it they will come . Now if someone can
build a multi channel FM bird then do it. Lets face it guys ,everyone got
mad trying to work AO51 and AO27. Was it fun making a call to a grid you
wanted only to have someone key down on him coming back to you, Is this what
you want , Then go to 20 meters DX. Single channel FM birds are obsolete,
Damon
------------------------------
Message: 11
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 11:10:59 -0400
From: Paul Stoetzer <n8hm@xxxx.xxx>
To: wa4hfn@xxxxxxx.xxx
Cc: AMSAT <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] FM birds
Message-ID:
<CABzOSOpS6JrShwvNs909a09mNJ+f7AdRdY84ubh2BP_1HtfGUQ@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Damon,
They can certainly be frustrating when you have all these lids calling
CQ and keying up who obviously cannot hear the satellite, but there is
a ton of popular demand for FM satellites. I had a lot of people ask
me what FM satellites were working at Dayton and at the hamfest I did
a demo at in February. There are also a ton of callsigns that haven't
been heard from on any satellite since the demise of AO--51.
I've worked several new grids and states on FM. I have two states only
on FM - AR and DE. I've never heard anyone on SSB/CW from either
state. I also wouldn't have worked Dominica without an FM satellite.
They are a very useful tool!
Now, as far as the bad behavior on SO-50. At least 75% of that is due
to people who can't hear the thing, but the Fox satellites are going
to be 13 dB stronger than SO-50 (9 dB advantage due to the 2m
downlink, about 4 dB due to the 750 mW power output compared to SO-50s
250 mW), so hopefully things will a bit more civilized when everyone
can hear the satellite.
Of course, we should be encouraging those interested in satellite
communications to add linear transponder capability to their stations.
There are quite a few stations that never miss an SO-50 pass. Why not
get on the linear birds? It's not that difficult or expensive at all
and it's a lot of fun!
73,
Paul, N8HM
On Tue, Jul 22, 2014 at 10:49 AM, <wa4hfn@xxxxxxx.xxx> wrote:
> I hope someone can launch a 100 of them, single channel ,pileup ,total
chaos ,someone keying down on the entire pass what more would you want.
> All we need to bust a crazy pile up is a 300 watt mfj amp right? Lets all
work to the good of the satellite part of the hobby. SSB/CW birds are the
only way to go and if you build it they will come . Now if someone can
build a multi channel FM bird then do it. Lets face it guys ,everyone got
mad trying to work AO51 and AO27. Was it fun making a call to a grid you
wanted only to have someone key down on him coming back to you, Is this what
you want , Then go to 20 meters DX. Single channel FM birds are obsolete,
> Damon
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
------------------------------
Message: 12
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 11:41:09 -0400
From: Dave Marthouse <dmarthouse@xxxxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] Digital Satellites Question
Message-ID: <53CE8615.3040903@xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
I have been following the digital satellite discussion with great
interest. Both sides have valid points.
I would like to pose a strictly engineering question. Keep in mind that
I'm not an engineer but consider myself reasonably well read on the
amateur satellite
world.
A digital satellite would imply loads of processing power on the
satellite. I would assume that with this additional activity that there
will be more
hardware on the bird with more complexity as this won't be a bent pipe
system.
With more physical hardware of much more complexity in orbit what about
the radiation hazards to this more complex and physical hardware heavier
system? Wouldn't a software based system be prone to radiation induced
hardware and software glitches?
What about shielding etc?
Dave Marthouse N2AAM
dmarthouse@xxxxx.xxx
--
Dave Marthouse
dmarthouse@xxxxx.xxx
------------------------------
Message: 13
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 08:43:47 -0700
From: Brenton Salmi <kb1lqd@xxxxx.xxx>
To: Martha <martha@xxxxx.xxx>
Cc: AMSAT Mailing List <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>, Burns Fisher
<burns@xxxxxx.xx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Amazon Smile
Message-ID:
<CA+7Uq1iK4MizURxgz-kZg=vMJ-0tCPgqQk8FGV4UppRJ1NH8VQ@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Wait, if my math is right that means a total of $13,324 has gone through
Amazon smile in the name of AMSAT!
- Brent
On Tue, Jul 22, 2014 at 7:45 AM, Martha <martha@xxxxx.xxx> wrote:
> To date, we have received $66.62 from Amazon Smile
>
> 73- Martha
>
>
> On Tue, Jul 22, 2014 at 8:35 AM, Burns Fisher <burns@xxxxxx.xx> wrote:
>
> > I've also signed up, and have probably bought a few hundred dollars worth
> > of stuff since then. .5% is not huge, and is probably more helpful to
> > Amazon (via publicity) than to AMSAT, but it can't hurt.
> >
> > I would add that usually I go directly to the Smile page with my link,
> but
> > on the rare occasion when I might follow another link or even type in
> > amazon.com, Amazon reminds me that I am signed up for Smile. Not bad.
> >
> > Burns
> >
> >
> > On Tue, Jul 22, 2014 at 2:12 AM, Bryan Herbert <ke6zgp@xxxxx.xxx> wrote:
> >
> > > I also signed up and have bought a few things but it is my
> understanding
> > > only 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products goes to AMSAT. So
> if
> > > you buy a DVD worth $19.99 and it's eligible for AmazonSmile, roughly
> > $0.10
> > > of that $19.99 will go to AMSAT but I think Amazon waits until
> something
> > > like $100 is collected before sending any money to AMSAT.
> > >
> > > --
> > > Bryan Herbert - KE6ZGP
> > > Newhall, CA. DM04RJ USA
> > > http://bryanherbert.com
> > > http://twitter.com/ke6zgp
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. Opinions expressed are those of the
> author.
> > > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
> > program!
> > > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
> > >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
> > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
> program!
> > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
> >
>
>
>
> --
> 73- Martha
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>
------------------------------
Message: 14
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 08:54:58 -0700
From: Kevin M <n4ufo@xxxxx.xxx>
To: "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Inclusion
Message-ID:
<1406044498.98267.YahooMailNeo@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx.xxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Good day all,
Let me attempt to add a few cogent thoughts to the ongoing 'future of AMSAT'
discussion...
I don't know if I am the typical ham or not, but I've been licensed for 35+
years... started in my teens. Have built some of my own gear, joined clubs,
worked HF, chased DX, dabbled in lots of areas of ham radio... I've
volunteered a lot of my time to different ham projects, emergency
communications, repeaters (owned 3), digital networks, been a VE and so on.
I'm at a point in my life and hobby that as the result of an agreement with
'she who must be pleased' I am more or less relegating myself to the simple
'sport' and enjoyment of the hobby. I build antennas, chase DX, chase grids,
etc. One of the things I decided to do was get back on satellites just over
a year ago. I tried an FM sat for the first time. I loved it and pursued
more depth in the 'satellite' sub-hobby of ham radio.
That said... my original introduction to satellites was RS-12/13 in the mid
90s. I was living in a condo with little to no antenna and was actively
chasing the CQ 50 awards (CQ magazines 50th anniversary). One of the tasks
was to make a satellite QSO. Now how was I going to do that with an HF rig
and a Hustler vertical on my deck. I researched, found out about RS-12 and
gave it a try. My first contact on the bird was so exciting, I whooped and
hollered so loud I scared the heck out of my wife. It was as exciting if not
more so than my first Novice CW contact in 1977. I was really hooked and
spent the next 5-6 years really enjoying that bird. Dinner times revolved
around sat passes. I wrote up a webpage dedicated to helping hams make their
first satellite contact on RS-12/13, maintained a forum to help people with
getting on the bird and making scheduled contacts, etc. (google RS-12/13 and
references to my old call and webpage STILL come up) - I
volunteered my time and enjoyed it a lot... now ask me why I never joined
or supported AMSAT.
It was because I had a number of run ins with AMSAT members that basically
did not have the time of day for me. (Jerry K5OE was the one glaring
exception) Their attitude was that RS-12/13 uses HF bands... it was not a
'REAL' satellite. I was introduced to this early on in my research to get on
a bird when I called the AMSAT office asking for help and was referred to a
field rep(?) about a hundred miles for me. When I called him, he told me he
worked only digital birds, knew nothing about what I wanted to know and in
general BLEW ME OFF. He did not refer me on to anyone, never got back to me
or gave a rats. So why did I need AMSAT? Why should I give money to a bunch
of arrogant so & so's that are interested in things way over my head. Now
skip ahead to this last year.
I got on ham forums, I asked questions... I bought an HT to dip my toe in
the water. I built a little homebrew antenna and made a contact on an FM
bird. Far OUT!!! It was cool and this was fun... just like before. But, what
more was there to do?!! I traded for a UHF all mode to go with my VHF... I
built home brew beam antennas and put them up. I later upgraded my rig. I
started chasing grids again and enjoying running across some of the same
hams. I was fortunate to got to know them... they were INCLUSIVE and
encouraged me to join AMSAT... so I did. Now I am exposed to more of what
AMSAT does and I see the benefit. I see now that I ran into some
NON-inclusive hams years ago. Shouldn't judge the whole group by a few, etc.
BUT, the problem is... first impressions are often very lasting. They lasted
with me for 15+ years.
Here is my point. Without introductory birds (FM) and an inclusive attitude,
AMSAT is never going to grow and acquire the volunteer and monetary support
to ever achieve some of the very things being complained about. You want to
recruit new hams and get them to financially support AMSAT and it's
endeavors? Then you need to develop an inclusive attitude. On this reflector
I've heard comments that basically imply anyone who wants to go outside with
an HT and wave a yagi around is stupid. <ZAP!> There went a whole bunch of
future support dollars out of the coffers. I don't think I need to touch the
HEO/LEO debate, but now I am hearing that FM birds are old hat... no good...
we need better. <ZAP!> There goes another huge chunk. You know what I and
many 'new sat ops' hear? "What you like is DUMB!" - I LIKE FM birds... I
LIKE waving my yagi around... and I joined AMSAT! I just sent in my BOD
ballot and I'm trying to figure out how much I can donate to the Fox
launch.
Guess what... I MIGHT like digital birds. I've joined AMSAT now and you've
got my attention... INTEREST ME! Tell me what I am missing... give me a
presentation, a paper, a video, an article... hell, come buy me a cuppa joe
and explain it to me. But for gosh sakes, do you really think that telling
me that what I like to do is DUMB and then whine that I, as an AMSAT member,
won't pay for whatever it is YOU like to do is a good strategy?!!! I am a
'sport' ham... I enjoy chasing DX, grids, the sats, etc. I have no current
interest in digital modes on satellites... mostly because I probably don't
UNDERSTAND THEM. My knowledge of digital on sats is guys with complicated
stand alone setups and expensive TNCs that forwarded BBS messages. I mean,
are you talking digital voice like DSTAR? Forwarded text? Live messaging?
Video? What????? No one has ever explained it to me!!! Can I make QSOs on it
and chase grids?? All I walk away with after reading the comments
is... 'Gee, apparently what I like is DUMB'.
Yes, I have used a little hyperbole, but I'm trying to make a point. This
pervasive attitude is driving away the very people that could potentially
support and later get actively involved in your 'advocated flavor' of the
sat hobby. You simply MUST remember that the majority of sat ops don't fall
out of the trees fully grown. Those guys that try out sats with an HT and a
home made antenna... there's a lot of them. I'm basically one of them. Some
will come and go, some might stay... but if you discourage them and exclude
them by insulting their current flavor of operating, why would they hang
around? I eventually came back around, met a different sort and stayed. And
now I'm taking the time to say what a huge chunk of those that go away never
bother to say.
That being, "Help me enjoy what I like and I'll help you enjoy what you
like. Interest me in what you like and I might like it, too. But insult me
and insist that I change, and I'll find someplace more fun and inviting to
spend my time and money."
I hope my thoughts have been useful and I ask that you please take them in
the spirit they are offered. I'd like to see AMSAT and the satellite hobby
grow. I understand the frustration, but it seems that many are letting that
frustration kill the very thing that could help alleviate their pain.
Just try to be inclusive and see beyond the end of your own antenna.?
73,
Kevin N4UFO, ex-AC5DK
AMSAT # 39145
?
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"Control is the need of the fearful mind. Trust is the need of the
courageous heart."
------------------------------
_______________________________________________
Sent via amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 9, Issue 249
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