[amsat-bb] Re: HEO naivete

[Nate Duehr]

On Feb 8, 2009, at 12:52 AM, John B. Stephensen wrote:

> Look at cell phones and wireless LANs to see what microwave  
> equipment can
> cost.
>
> 73,
>
> John
> KD6OZH

Wireless LAN gear is mass produced by the hundreds of thousands.

Cell phones are also mass produced, but are subsidized (in the U.S.)  
by the carriers out of subscription fees.  For real prices, look at  
Europe.  Or just look at the 3.1 million dollars that Motorola's  
cellular handset division lost in 2008, according to their annual  
report.

So keep in mind the price tags you're using as examples, aren't the  
full price, other than WiFi gear, which is produced in such quantity  
that economies of scale are involved.

Nate WY0X