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CX2SA > SATDIG 20.07.14 19:03l 780 Lines 28938 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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From: CX2SA@CX2SA.SAL.URY.SA
To : SATDIG@WW
Today's Topics:
1. The root of all the problems (Thomas Doyle)
2. Re: going digital (Simon Brown)
3. Re: ANS-199 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin - AMSAT
Fox-1C Launch Opportunity Announced (Rick Walter)
4. Re: ANS-199 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin - AMSAT
Fox-1C Launch Opportunity Announced (Rick Walter)
5. F.S. Mirage D26 Amp. (Patrick Marineau)
6. 2M1EUB/P QRV IO87MC AO7 MODE A (paul robinson)
7. Re: ANS-199 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin - AMSAT
Fox-1C Launch Opportunity Announced (g0mrf@xxx.xxxx
8. WD9EWK from FN56 starting @ 1727 UTC today...
(Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK))
9. Re: ANS-199 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin - AMSAT
Fox-1C Launch Opportunity Announced (Graham Shirville)
10. Fw: 2M1EUB/P QRV IO87MC AO7 MODE A (paul robinson)
11. Re: ANS-199 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin - AMSAT
Fox-1C Launch Opportunity Announced (Bob- W7LRD)
12. GOT Grids award (wa4hfn@xxxxxxx.xxxx
13. Re: ANS-199 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin - AMSAT
Fox-1C Launch Opportunity Announced (Paul Stoetzer)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 08:10:16 -0500
From: Thomas Doyle <tomdoyle1948@xxxxx.xxx>
To: AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] The root of all the problems
Message-ID:
<CAHnRQRLQ56Vtau3z53oqrvpdgxrm11SVE5-0cMk7TxyQN6gb3Q@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
- Amateur Radio has many diverse interests.
CW, Rag Chew, RTTY, SSTV, Contests, DX, Repeaters, D-Star, EME, Phil's
latest digimode ...
- These diverse interests can coexist.
There are occasional gripes about things that conflict but for the most
part it is live and let live.
- Amateur Radio satellites are different.
Unlike other aspects of Amateur Radio it requires a group to make it
happen.
- What the majority wants is more important than any individual want.
How do you determine what the majority wants.
- Voting
People will vote one way or another. If people are not given the
opportunity to vote they will vote with their feet and walk away if they
are not happy. In the absence of voting a small group or individual will
get what they want. That may or may not be the best thing for the group.
I used to think that voting in AMSAT was necessary. Working a linear
satellite pass with very little activity followed by an FM satellite that
is packed is perhaps the best indicator of what the group wants.
- 'Better than Dead'
I am not a fan of LEO FM satellites but it does seem to be what people want
and it is something we can do. I saw a crippled old guy wearing a cap that
had 'Better than Dead' embroidered on it. When I feel disappointment in
what is happening I think of that guy. Is an LEO FM satellite better than
no satellite at all - for me it is certainly at least a little bit better
than dead. For the group it seems like the only logical choice.
73 W9KE Tom Doyle
--
Sent from my computer.
tom ...
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 14:13:33 +0100
From: "Simon Brown" <simon@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] going digital
Message-ID: <011f01cfa41c$6877b970$39672c50$@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
John,
If both side have good Doppler correction then it can be done, but you have
to choose the correct mode as there are other issues even if the Doppler
correction is perfect, especially when the range is changing at its maximum,
for example as the satellite passes overhead.
Simon Brown G4ELI
http://v2.sdr-radio.com
-----Original Message-----
From: amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxx [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxxx On
Behalf Of John / NS1Z
Sent: 20 July 2014 11:46
To: Phil Karn; Paul Stoetzer
Cc: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] going digital
Is there some reason why a digital signal cannot be passed thru an
analog/linear transponder? What goes in is what comes out. It seems the lack
of transponder bandwidth limits the digital signal experimenter...
Maybe that is why commercial transponders on satellites are linear. They can
take any modulation and retransmit it : AM, FM, PM or CB
The biggest problem would be the taxi-cabs etc
-----Original Message-----
From: Phil Karn
Sent: Saturday, July 19, 2014 4:24 PM
To: Paul Stoetzer
Cc: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] ANS-199 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin - AMSAT
Fox-1C Launch Opportunity Announced
On 07/19/2014 12:28 PM, Paul Stoetzer wrote:
> Are FM repeater satellites what we all want in orbit? No. Personally,
> I'd like a Mode J linear transponder in a sun synchronous circular
> orbit of about 2,000km (if we can't get anything to HEO).
Getting a launch opportunity is difficult and expensive. Going digital is
not.
_______________________________________________
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: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 09:27:05 -0400
From: Rick Walter <wb3csy@xxxxx.xxx>
To: Phil Karn <karn@xxxx.xxx>
Cc: "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] ANS-199 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin -
AMSAT Fox-1C Launch Opportunity Announced
Message-ID: <3F582010-04B1-40BC-AFDE-F7FFB54F330F@xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
I was not going to post but since no one else has, I thought there needs to
be a correction to a statement made in case some younger people are reading
the thread.
Phil said:
"Good analogy, actually. They returned to the moon six times (succeeding
on five) because they had excess hardware originally built in the
expectation that the first attempts would fail."
There were actually seven manned missions to the moon. Six succeeded. Apollo
13 never landed on the moon and returned to earth safely. Apollo
11,12,14,15,16, and 17 landed. 12 American astronauts walked on the moon.
Sent from Rick's iPad2
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 09:34:10 -0400
From: Rick Walter <wb3csy@xxxxx.xxx>
To: Phil Karn <karn@xxxx.xxx>
Cc: "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] ANS-199 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin -
AMSAT Fox-1C Launch Opportunity Announced
Message-ID: <DE3F0B62-0B28-4241-B772-F4D608913557@xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
I need to receive the foot in mouth award. The key word I read past was
"They RETURNED to the moon six..." I'll just go back to the my radios and
hide.
Sent from Rick's iPad2
> On Jul 20, 2014, at 9:27 AM, Rick Walter <wb3csy@xxxxx.xxx> wrote:
>
> I was not going to post but since no one else has, I thought there needs
to be a correction to a statement made in case some younger people are
reading the thread.
>
> Phil said:
> "Good analogy, actually. They returned to the moon six times (succeeding
> on five) because they had excess hardware originally built in the
> expectation that the first attempts would fail."
>
> There were actually seven manned missions to the moon. Six succeeded.
Apollo 13 never landed on the moon and returned to earth safely. Apollo
11,12,14,15,16, and 17 landed. 12 American astronauts walked on the moon.
>
> Sent from Rick's iPad2
>
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 10:33:43 -0400
From: Patrick Marineau <wb8ybf@xxxxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] F.S. Mirage D26 Amp.
Message-ID:
<CAPBj24CrPxFoiF+5NFFbcVUP5-LUOFZva7CwOVWysZp0V9CQew@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
430-450 Mhz Amplifier FM/SSB/CW 2 watts in - 40 watts output. Works great
for Mode B satellites. $58 includes flat rate Priority shipping lower 48.
Thanks,
Pat K9HF
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 15:37:54 +0100
From: paul robinson <pushbiker2004@xxxxx.xx.xx>
To: "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] 2M1EUB/P QRV IO87MC AO7 MODE A
Message-ID:
<1405867074.96625.YahooMailNeo@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx.xxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Im also qrv ao7 mode?A ?if there are any takers? de paul 2M1EUB
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 10:41:58 -0400 (EDT)
From: g0mrf@xxx.xxx
To: karn@xxxx.xxxx amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx bruninga@xxxx.xxx
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] ANS-199 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin -
AMSAT Fox-1C Launch Opportunity Announced
Message-ID: <8D1723FE408F90E-1508-AACD@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxxxxx.xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
I must quickly point out some real data:
www.warehouse.funcube.org.uk
Which shows an equilibrium of around +20 degrees after 64 minutes of sunlight.
Black solar cells on a black surface but some polished Aluminium in the
structure.
During eclipse, The Earth facing side begins to increase in temperature at
around -16 degrees, but then cools down rapidly as the cube rotates. The
temperature is still heading down rapidly as it exits eclipse after 34
minutes and at around -24C on the outside surfaces.
Thanks
David
-----Original Message-----
From: Phil Karn <karn@xxxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Sent: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 11:59
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] ANS-199 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin - AMSAT
Fox-1C Launch Opportunity Announced
On 07/19/2014 09:23 PM, Robert Bruninga wrote:
> I cannot believe that. The equilibrium of a nominally black (solar panels
> on all sides) spacecraft is something like about 0 to 30 C (32F to 90F) a
> very benign operational range. The only time you DO have thermal issues is
> when you DO have attitude control and have things that are not equally over
> time seeing the sun and dark sky.
See Dick's paper for the details; I'm just quoting his results. I know
the basic physics of heat transfer in space but I would never call
myself an expert. He is.
But I can do a back-of-the-envelope calculation that tells me he's right.
The solar cells they're using have an absorptivity and emissivity that
is both 0.98, as I recall, so a cubesat covered with them is essentially
a perfect blackbody.
A blackbody cube with one face normal to the sun at 1 AU will reach an
equilibrium temperature of -21.35 C. The problem is that the ratio of
radiating area to absorbing area for a cube is 6:1 (with the sun normal
to one surface). A sphere would be warmer because its ratio of radiating
to absorbing area is only 4:1. A thin flat plate normal to the sun (like
a solar wing) would be even warmer -- 2:1.
And that -21.35 C figure is for continuous sunlight. Throw in eclipses
and things get much worse. Yes, it would be a little better when the sun
shines on a corner rather than normal to a face, and Earth albedo and IR
radiation will warm things a little, but not enough to matter.
--Phil
PS: Temperature of 10 cm blackbody cube at 1 AU:
Area facing sun: .01 m^2
Solar constant: 1367.5 W/m^2
Absorbed power = 13.675 W
Total radiating area: .06 m^2
Emissivity = 1.0 (perfect blackbody)
Stefan-Boltzmann constant = 5.6703e-8 W/(m^2K^4)
T = (13.675 W / (5.6703e-8 * 1.0 * .06)) ** (1/4)
= 251.8K == -21.35 C
_______________________________________________
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: 8
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 07:53:08 -0700
From: "Patrick STODDARD \(WD9EWK/VA7EWK\)" <amsat-bb@xxxxxx.xxx>
To: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] WD9EWK from FN56 starting @ 1727 UTC today...
Message-ID:
<1405867988.6918.YahooMailMobile@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx.xxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Hi!
I plan on working several passes from grid FN56 in Maine, starting with the
AO-7 pass at 1727 UTC. After a couple of hours up there, I will head back
towards southern Maine or New Hampshire for the night. Hope to work lots of
stations, including some in Europe.
Time permitting, and depending on the local scenery, I might park on the
FN56/FN66 boundary. Otherwise, I will be firmly in FN56.
73!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK - Bangor, Maine
http://www.wd9ewk.net/
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 16:09:45 +0100
From: "Graham Shirville" <g.shirville@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
To: <karn@xxxx.xxx>, <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>, <bruninga@xxxx.xxx>,
<g0mrf@xxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] ANS-199 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin -
AMSAT Fox-1C Launch Opportunity Announced
Message-ID: <A7A0B775D3494DBFA8924A99F5CB7FFD@xxxxxxx.xxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
Hi Phil,
The reality is, even with no battery heater on FUNcube-1 we seem to have an
acceptable battery temperature of between 0 and +5C. The temp sensor is, of
course, actually external to the battery itself.
Our orbit is sun synchronous so we "suffer" eclipses for approx 33% of the
orbit ..but then we are relatively close to the earth!
I would also comment that any active attitude control system will consume
power...which we don't have much of..
Probably, if you need continuous operation of the radio system, then a 2U
with deployable solar panels is the minimum configuration for a CubeSat
operating on microwave bands with an active attitude control system.
best 73
Graham
G3VZV
-----Original Message-----
From: g0mrf@xxx.xxx
Sent: Sunday, July 20, 2014 3:41 PM
To: karn@xxxx.xxx ; amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx ; bruninga@xxxx.xxx
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] ANS-199 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin - AMSAT
Fox-1C Launch Opportunity Announced
I must quickly point out some real data:
www.warehouse.funcube.org.uk
Which shows an equilibrium of around +20 degrees after 64 minutes of
sunlight.
Black solar cells on a black surface but some polished Aluminium in the
structure.
During eclipse, The Earth facing side begins to increase in temperature at
around -16 degrees, but then cools down rapidly as the cube rotates. The
temperature is still heading down rapidly as it exits eclipse after 34
minutes and at around -24C on the outside surfaces.
Thanks
David
-----Original Message-----
From: Phil Karn <karn@xxxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Sent: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 11:59
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] ANS-199 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin - AMSAT
Fox-1C Launch Opportunity Announced
On 07/19/2014 09:23 PM, Robert Bruninga wrote:
> I cannot believe that. The equilibrium of a nominally black (solar panels
> on all sides) spacecraft is something like about 0 to 30 C (32F to 90F) a
> very benign operational range. The only time you DO have thermal issues
> is
> when you DO have attitude control and have things that are not equally
> over
> time seeing the sun and dark sky.
See Dick's paper for the details; I'm just quoting his results. I know
the basic physics of heat transfer in space but I would never call
myself an expert. He is.
But I can do a back-of-the-envelope calculation that tells me he's right.
The solar cells they're using have an absorptivity and emissivity that
is both 0.98, as I recall, so a cubesat covered with them is essentially
a perfect blackbody.
A blackbody cube with one face normal to the sun at 1 AU will reach an
equilibrium temperature of -21.35 C. The problem is that the ratio of
radiating area to absorbing area for a cube is 6:1 (with the sun normal
to one surface). A sphere would be warmer because its ratio of radiating
to absorbing area is only 4:1. A thin flat plate normal to the sun (like
a solar wing) would be even warmer -- 2:1.
And that -21.35 C figure is for continuous sunlight. Throw in eclipses
and things get much worse. Yes, it would be a little better when the sun
shines on a corner rather than normal to a face, and Earth albedo and IR
radiation will warm things a little, but not enough to matter.
--Phil
PS: Temperature of 10 cm blackbody cube at 1 AU:
Area facing sun: .01 m^2
Solar constant: 1367.5 W/m^2
Absorbed power = 13.675 W
Total radiating area: .06 m^2
Emissivity = 1.0 (perfect blackbody)
Stefan-Boltzmann constant = 5.6703e-8 W/(m^2K^4)
T = (13.675 W / (5.6703e-8 * 1.0 * .06)) ** (1/4)
= 251.8K == -21.35 C
_______________________________________________
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
------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 16:21:40 +0100
From: paul robinson <pushbiker2004@xxxxx.xx.xx>
To: "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Fw: 2M1EUB/P QRV IO87MC AO7 MODE A
Message-ID:
<1405869700.17001.YahooMailNeo@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx.xxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
On Sunday, 20 July 2014, 15:37, paul robinson <pushbiker2004@xxxxx.xx.xx>
wrote:
Im also qrv ao7 mode?A ?if there are any takers? de paul 2M1EUB
------------------------------
Message: 11
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 16:42:14 +0000 (UTC)
From: Bob- W7LRD <w7lrd@xxxxxxx.xxx>
To: Paul Stoetzer <n8hm@xxxx.xxx>
Cc: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx Phil Karn <karn@xxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] ANS-199 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin -
AMSAT Fox-1C Launch Opportunity Announced
Message-ID:
<1639329416.23813946.1405874534892.JavaMail.root@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
a different slant-not wanting to enter the fm vs linear ongoing debate or
the "easy sat" concept-I started satellites not because it was easy, but
because it was hard, and at times still is!? This was back in the days of
the RS satellites.? I believe if you present the challenge they will come.?
Unfortunately we need the money upfront not after?the fact.? Perhaps this
"incremental" effort toward HEO or MEO is required, however we (AMSAT's)
have been doing this for a long time and I think should have had our "ducks
lined up" by now.? ?We're a bunch of cleaver people and should develop a
method getting the necessary funds for launches.? Everything is now "bottom
line" driven.? We should "just do it".?
73 Bob W7LRD
Seattle
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Stoetzer" <n8hm@xxxx.xxx>
To: "Phil Karn" <karn@xxxx.xxx>
Cc: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Sent: Saturday, July 19, 2014 12:28:12 PM
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] ANS-199 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin - AMSAT
Fox-1C Launch Opportunity Announced
Are FM repeater satellites what we all want in orbit? No. Personally,
I'd like a Mode J linear transponder in a sun synchronous circular
orbit of about 2,000km (if we can't get anything to HEO).
However, the Fox-1A, Fox-1B, Fox-1C, and Fox-1D satellites will
eventually lead to the Fox-2 series of satellites. The software
designed transponders on board the Fox-2 series will be capable of
operating in any number of digital communications modes as well as
operating as linear transponders.
AO-51's V/U FM repeater was probably the most popular amateur
satellite ever launched. Since the loss of AO-51, AMSAT-NA membership
has been declining and is at the point where membership dues alone do
not sustain the operating costs of the organization.
Right now, those who are mildly interested in amateur satellites have
one satellite to try with a minimal investment: SO-50, which is a
satellite that for about half the days of each month is not convenient
for most people who work 9-5 and sleep 10-6 and has a weak downlink
that is often very difficult for newcomers to hear. Even experienced
satellite operators are at times heard to transmit without being able
to hear the satellite. With EO-80 (QB50p2), Fox-1A, and Fox-1C
hopefully in orbit and operational next year, there will be three
easily heard FM satellites (the 9 dB advantage of the 2m downlinks on
these satellites will be quite welcome) - two in sun synchronous
orbits with relatively consistent pass times. Having those satellites
in orbit will mean that more hams get bitten by the satellite bug,
join AMSAT, and progress to improving their stations to operate on the
linear transponders and, potentially, on digital satellites.
Bottom line - an AMSAT with more satellites in orbit means an AMSAT
with more members and that's how we are eventually going to get our
ideal satellites in orbit.
73,
Paul, N8HM
On Sat, Jul 19, 2014 at 2:54 PM, Phil Karn <karn@xxxx.xxx> wrote:
> On 07/18/2014 12:08 PM, Joseph Spier wrote:
>
>> Fox-1C is the third of four Fox-1 series satellites under
>> development, with Fox-1A and RadFXsat/Fox-1B launching through the
>> NASA ELANA program. Fox-1C will carry an FM repeater system for
>> amateur radio for use by radio hams and listeners worldwide.
>
> YET ANOTHER analog satellite?
>
> I'm not interested.
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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
------------------------------
Message: 12
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 16:46:51 +0000 (UTC)
From: wa4hfn@xxxxxxx.xxx
To: AMSAT <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] GOT Grids award
Message-ID:
<174661213.773857.1405874811145.JavaMail.root@xxxxxxx.xxxxxxxxxxx.xx.xxxx.xxxx
xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Congrats to N5JF Joseph Fouquet for GOT Grids ? award #14
Thanks
WA4HFN em55
www.starcommgroup.org
------------------------------
Message: 13
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 13:00:11 -0400
From: Paul Stoetzer <n8hm@xxxx.xxx>
To: Bob- W7LRD <w7lrd@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Cc: "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>, Phil Karn
<karn@xxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] ANS-199 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin -
AMSAT Fox-1C Launch Opportunity Announced
Message-ID:
<CABzOSOqrb8axi2H4v34fC-VC3zqwR7OQY2h7xWQfnC341NsFaw@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Getting the $125,000 to launch a 1U cubesat into LEO should be plenty
doable, but raising $10-$15 million for a launch to HEO?
AMSAT-DL has been raising funds for P3E now for nearly a decade. If
they thought they had a chance of success, I'm sure there'd be a much
more public push to raise those funds.
Unfortunately, there are not enough amateur radio operators interested
in the amateur satellite program to put up that kind of money. Million
dollar DXpeditions are doable because of the broad interest among the
amateur radio community in funding those projects. A good number of
amateur radio operators are only vaguely aware of the amateur
satellite program and consider it to be quite esoteric. Heck, on the
extremely rare occasion that the amateur satellite program merits a
mention in a QST column these days, it's often in WB8IMY's "Eclectic
Technology" column. That, unfortunately, shows you how the amateur
radio community as a whole views the amateur satellite program.
The bottom line is that AMSAT-NA needs a significant boost in
membership and visibility and that boost needs to be soon. Putting two
satellites into orbit that nearly every single ham will be able to
easily hear (even a $30 Baofeng and it's stock duck should hear high
passes of the Fox-1 satellites) along with the accompanying publicity
should provide that boost. ARISSat-1 and the heavy publicity in QST
and other amateur radio news sources is what got me involved in
amateur satellites, though it would take me another two years before I
really got into it seriously. Now I've really been bitten by the bug:
293 grids, 48 states, 4 Canadian provinces, and 27 DXCCs in my log
plus I've done two public demonstrations of amateur satellites and
assisted the AMSAT booth and demo station at Dayton. That's all
because of a project derided by many on this board as a waste of
AMSAT's time and resources!
73,
Paul, N8HM
On Sun, Jul 20, 2014 at 12:42 PM, Bob- W7LRD <w7lrd@xxxxxxx.xxx> wrote:
> a different slant-not wanting to enter the fm vs linear ongoing debate or
> the "easy sat" concept-I started satellites not because it was easy, but
> because it was hard, and at times still is! This was back in the days of
> the RS satellites. I believe if you present the challenge they will come.
> Unfortunately we need the money upfront not after the fact. Perhaps this
> "incremental" effort toward HEO or MEO is required, however we (AMSAT's)
> have been doing this for a long time and I think should have had our "ducks
> lined up" by now. We're a bunch of cleaver people and should develop a
> method getting the necessary funds for launches. Everything is now "bottom
> line" driven. We should "just do it".
> 73 Bob W7LRD
> Seattle
>
> ________________________________
> From: "Paul Stoetzer" <n8hm@xxxx.xxx>
>
> To: "Phil Karn" <karn@xxxx.xxx>
> Cc: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
> Sent: Saturday, July 19, 2014 12:28:12 PM
> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] ANS-199 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin - AMSAT
> Fox-1C Launch Opportunity Announced
>
>
> Are FM repeater satellites what we all want in orbit? No. Personally,
> I'd like a Mode J linear transponder in a sun synchronous circular
> orbit of about 2,000km (if we can't get anything to HEO).
>
> However, the Fox-1A, Fox-1B, Fox-1C, and Fox-1D satellites will
> eventually lead to the Fox-2 series of satellites. The software
> designed transponders on board the Fox-2 series will be capable of
> operating in any number of digital communications modes as well as
> operating as linear transponders.
>
> AO-51's V/U FM repeater was probably the most popular amateur
> satellite ever launched. Since the loss of AO-51, AMSAT-NA membership
> has been declining and is at the point where membership dues alone do
> not sustain the operating costs of the organization.
>
> Right now, those who are mildly interested in amateur satellites have
> one satellite to try with a minimal investment: SO-50, which is a
> satellite that for about half the days of each month is not convenient
> for most people who work 9-5 and sleep 10-6 and has a weak downlink
> that is often very difficult for newcomers to hear. Even experienced
> satellite operators are at times heard to transmit without being able
> to hear the satellite. With EO-80 (QB50p2), Fox-1A, and Fox-1C
> hopefully in orbit and operational next year, there will be three
> easily heard FM satellites (the 9 dB advantage of the 2m downlinks on
> these satellites will be quite welcome) - two in sun synchronous
> orbits with relatively consistent pass times. Having those satellites
> in orbit will mean that more hams get bitten by the satellite bug,
> join AMSAT, and progress to improving their stations to operate on the
> linear transponders and, potentially, on digital satellites.
>
> Bottom line - an AMSAT with more satellites in orbit means an AMSAT
> with more members and that's how we are eventually going to get our
> ideal satellites in orbit.
>
> 73,
>
> Paul, N8HM
>
> On Sat, Jul 19, 2014 at 2:54 PM, Phil Karn <karn@xxxx.xxx> wrote:
>> On 07/18/2014 12:08 PM, Joseph Spier wrote:
>>
>>> Fox-1C is the third of four Fox-1 series satellites under
>>> development, with Fox-1A and RadFXsat/Fox-1B launching through the
>>> NASA ELANA program. Fox-1C will carry an FM repeater system for
>>> amateur radio for use by radio hams and listeners worldwide.
>>
>> YET ANOTHER analog satellite?
>>
>> I'm not interested.
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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!
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> _______________________________________________
> 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 member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 9, Issue 241
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