[amsat-bb] Re: S band downlink on P3E

[Joe Westbrook]

It appears that Engineering has draw a line in the sand.

Bob states:
"I offer the following.  If the board votes to change their vision
statement and not to build the spacecraft we are proposing,  I will
tender my resignation as VP Engineering since I will have failed to do
the job they elected me to  which was to produce a usable concept to
meet their vision."

He speaks of "Leadership" but I would argue that a leader doesn't threaten 
to quit if he fails to get his way, he sticks with the task at hand.  The 
Objectives have changed as originally stated and it appears that the design 
team is closed to entertaining any further ideas.
Sad.

 In 1980 I was in the USAF assigned to the UK. I attended the RSGB's 
Conference at the ole Ali Pali in North London.  My first exposure to 
Amateur Satellite Service was with the AMSAT-UK Contingent who were 
represented there.  I will never forget the cold reception this young (Yank) 
Ham received from the AMSAT folks.  I came to the conclusion then that this 
was an elitist group and I held that stereotype until I attended a Ham in 
Austin, TX in 2003.

 The AMSAT Coordinator for Austin, TX was at the Hamfest, he had a demo set 
up for AO-40 and I watched the contacts he made with other hams and I was 
hooked.  This gentleman was very helpful. He patiently answered all of my 
questions.  That day, I  purchased a downconverter and Bar-B-Que dish from 
Bob (K5GNA) and proceeded to get on AO-40.  I have to say that is without a 
doubt the most fun I have had with Ham Radio (39 years).  My small dish and 
helix antenna are still up on the mast ready for the next HEO Bird.  I do 
remember working the RS Satellites with relative little difficulty earlier, 
with little mentoring , or cash out lay.  What happened to just having fun 
on Ham Radio?  AO-40 was just challenging enough, I constructed my own 
antennas, read all of the many on-line recourses available to learn how to 
squeeze as much signal as possible on the S Band downlink.  I remembered 
reliving the same types of experiences I had as a Novice making my first 
contacts.

Based on some of the post on this BB,  I can't help but think that this 
contentious issue is more about having antenna real estate, power budget, 
that support new applications.  The increased noise is simply a red herring 
for those with more ambitious goals.

I don't claim to speak for the rank and file, this is my opinion based 
largely on recent post to the AMSAT BB.

Regards,
- Joe K7ZT


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Luc Leblanc VE2DWE" <lucleblanc6 at videotron.ca>
To: <AMSAT-BB at amsat.org>
Sent: Friday, September 08, 2006 1:55 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: S band downlink on P3E


>
> I wrote:
>
> If AMSAT-NA is building sats in close circle they just have to openly 
> admitted it
> even if admission is not a very spoken word.
>
> Things seems to evoluate! and evolution often passed by revolution. We 
> learn once upon the time
> years ago some south the border choose to make a revolution as they seems 
> it was the only one way
> to achieve their goals. Are we starting to learn from the past?
>
> He wrote
>
>> I am not interested in flying a carbon copy of P3E
>> when I know it makes no sense whatsoever.
>
> I wrote:
>
> Who is driving AMSAT-NA an hollow BOD? an hollow president? Or a third 
> builders
> manipulating wing
> who blackmail the BOD?
>
> None of them? I let the conclusion yours!
>
>
> He wrote:
>
>>If elected to the board, and it changes
>> direction,  I will offer my seat to the first alternate.
>
>
> He wrote:
>
>
> > I am 52 years old and one of
>> the most active technical contributors in all of amateur radio
>
> I wrote:
>
> Even the Goa'Uld the self proclaim gods can be replaced.... And i wrote " 
> but your involvement is
> not questioned here"  no more blackmail please we used to be sick of this. 
> It is a burden AMSAT-NA
> pull since too many years now, it is openly admitted and publicly show 
> today. Remember why they
> celebrate on the 4th of July? an evolution or a revolution or both?
>
> To concluded the truth FINALLY came out. Now AMSAT-NA BOD what you will do 
> with a majority of your
> members who wants to have S band downlink on Eagle? Nothing is perfect in 
> the communication field
> why not simply build for this time a KISS HEO? As per this very clear text 
> it seems we are going
> towards an evoluted cube type satellite who will be very far from AO-40 
> and  where room seems to be
> scarce.
>
> My humble suggestion U/V S downlink and if there is still enough room an 
> experimental mode.
> No switching is bad as it kills S mode downlink to only named this one.
>
> My financial service providers want to sell a special products but my 
> client wants another one.
> Even if they asked me to pushed their prefer products client wants 
> something else.
>
> After numerous discussion he finally agree that it is better to sell and 
> deliver something than
> waiting for the few interested ones to buy their prefer one.
>
> All is a matter of choice and please BOD try to listen your membership 
> just in case some can came
> back!
>
> We are speaking marketing here not science. Give what's the client desire 
> once you will gain his
> trust you will able to do great things after and with his support.
>
> Amen!
>
> "-"
> The medium is the message...The content is the audience...;)
>
> Luc Leblanc VE2DWE
> Skype VE2DWE
> www.qsl.net/ve2dwe
> _______________________________________________
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