[amsat-bb] Re: Why do hamsats? (Or anything else...)

[Diane Bruce]

On Fri, Oct 16, 2009 at 11:29:16PM -0500, Rocky Jones wrote:
>
> Mark
>
> the two points you raise are interesting
>
> Education...you wrote in part "

"Yes, my new car failed to work so I had the local high school
auto class work on it. It was quite an educational experience for them!
They learned a lot! I never did get to use it, but it sure was educational!"

That is not what I would call a success. It is indeed true that when something
goes wrong in space, we have to grin and bear it, turning lemons into
lemonade. etc. But to redefine what a success is, simply to put
a positive spin on a failure, is counterproductive. It seems to me that
the problems are acknowledged and are worked upon, makes more sense.

I do not see the arguments for "It was a success because of its educational
value" or "We are incompetent because it was a failure" to be of much
long term use either.

I do see admitting mistakes were made and fixing them, everyone else out
of the way, to be much more productive.

>  Yes, we could kick a very
> > basic linear transponder out of the ISS, and it would float around in
> > LEO and allow you to make some contacts, but so what?  What purpose
> > would be served?
>
> A great deal.  It would allow communications and experimentation and self teaching in ham radio which is the essence of the hobby.

I would agree. Why not be able to do both?

...

>
> Robert WB5MZO
>
>

- 73 Diane VA3DB
--
- db at db.net http://www.db.net/~db