[amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT NA

Tue Jul 15 21:48:49 PDT 2008

The key is getting space on a launch vehicle, not completing some hardware 
that is a tiny fraction of the cost. It's interesting that people are 
complaining about an internal AMSAT-NA personnel issue, but aren't concerned 
that AMSAT-DL announced that they can't pay for the P3E launch.

I've managed several engineering groups in the computer industry and have 
had people call me up while I was eating Thankgiving dinner and resign. On 
Monday everything was resolved.

73,

John
KD6OZH

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joe Westbrook" <k7zt at suddenlink.net>
To: "John B. Stephensen" <kd6ozh at comcast.net>; "Michael Tondee" 
<mat_62 at netcommander.com>; "Jim Danehy" <jdanehy at cinci.rr.com>; 
<amsat-bb at amsat.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 03:19 UTC
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT NA

>I fully expect to receive incoming slings and arrows for my input, and I do 
>understand for those who get their egos fed by leading/participating in the 
>design process for AMSAT-NA won't like this idea, but hey who is AMSAT here 
>to serve anyway?
>
> Generally, the following conditions seem to exist at this time (please 
> feel free to correct me if any of my observations are inaccurate):
>
> 1.  We don't seem to be within a stones throw of getting Eagle off the 
> ground
> 2.  Engineering resources in disarray
> 3.  No Lab
> 4.  Most folks who participate really want to see a HEO up as soon as 
> humanly possible
> 5.  The cost to put an HEO into orbit seems to be prohibitive for any 
> single organization to pull off without deep pocket sponsorship
> 6.  AMSAT-DL Has an HEO that is nearing completion
>
> Given the extent that these circumstances are close to reality,  why on 
> earth wouldn't we consider transferring the sum total of Eagle resources
> (with membership approval of course) to AMSAT-DL, for the purpose of 
> completing PE3?
>
> Next step would be to determine the exact the cost and a launch 
> opportunity. Let the Ham Satellite Community know what those cost are and 
> then raise the additional funds toward that single goal.
>
> Following the final launch and commissioning of PE3, then move on to 
> getting Eagle back on track.
>
> I definitely could get behind that sort of concrete effort.  What we have 
> now seems to be a bit of a distant dream.
>
> Regards,
> - Joe, K7ZT
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "John B. Stephensen" <kd6ozh at comcast.net>
> To: "Michael Tondee" <mat_62 at netcommander.com>; "Jim Danehy" 
> <jdanehy at cinci.rr.com>; <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 8:29 PM
> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT NA
>
>
>> What most HEO users never fully realized (including me) was that they 
>> were
>> the recipients of charity. Now that launches are commercial operations, 
>> the
>> AMSATs have to pay the same as everyone else and HEOs are vastly more
>> expensive than LEOs. The energy requirements are much larger and you 
>> can't
>> just use a surplus SS-18 as a launch vehicle.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> John
>> KD6OZH
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Michael Tondee" <mat_62 at netcommander.com>
>> To: "Jim Danehy" <jdanehy at cinci.rr.com>; <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
>> Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 22:34 UTC
>> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT NA
>>
>>
>>> It's been going on since I got here a couple of years ago Jim. For sure,
>>> everyone is anxious to see an HEO launched but some people feel the need
>>> to
>>> get online and constantly whine about why we don't have one. I think 
>>> there
>>> are a few folks on here that need to get a dictionary and look up the 
>>> word
>>> "volunteer".
>>> People better start to realize that there are no guarantees. I would say
>>> that at the current rate of apparent progress that the AMSAT NA mission
>>> statement looks all wet. Prospects don't seem to be much better on P3E
>>> either. What good will it do to have a fully built satellite without the
>>> funds to launch it?
>>> I just try to enjoy what we've got up there and hope for the best in the
>>> future. In the end that's all we can really do isn't it? All the whining
>>> in
>>> the world and the backhanded comments about AO-51 and the other FM sats
>>> aren't going to get the HEO birds up there any faster.
>>> 73,
>>> Michael W4HIJ
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "Jim Danehy" <jdanehy at cinci.rr.com>
>>> To: <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 4:27 PM
>>> Subject: [amsat-bb] AMSAT NA
>>>
>>>
>>>>I have been off the satellites for 25 years. I just spent a bunch of 
>>>>money
>>>>for antennas and rotors to get back on. After listening to all of the
>>>>belly
>>>>aching I wonder if I should join AMSAT (again). Maybe I should try EME . 
>>>>.
>>>>. .  the moon will be there long after I am gone. I have listened on AO 
>>>>7
>>>>and VO 52 to test my 2 mtr yagis. I should be QRV soon. Belly aching 
>>>>just
>>>>looks bad even if it is warranted. I am not sure if it accomplishes much
>>>>other than venting for the vanquished. Human nature ugh. Lighten up 
>>>>folks.
>>>>
>>>> Jim W9VNE
>>>> Cincinnati, Ohio em79
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
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>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
>> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite 
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>>
> 