[amsat-bb] Re: ""you may as well use Skype..."

[Diane Bruce]

On Fri, Feb 04, 2011 at 08:03:59AM +0000, Gordon JC Pearce wrote:
> On Thu, 2011-02-03 at 13:49 -0500, Diane Bruce wrote:
> 
> > > 
...
> It doesn't in my case.  I have *no interest at all* in operating
> satellites that require a complex fixed station with computer tracking
> and tuning.  None.  Doesn't interest me one bit.

Which is why I was interested in AO-40, for all the same reasons.
However, since I had already invested in setting up an AO-40 station,
I might as well use it.

> The fun part is communicating via simple inexpensive satellites, with
> simple inexpensive hardware that you can make at home.  Really, you

Well, sure no disagreement from me on that. But I would suggest a one
design fits all idea. Make a simple simple satellite design that
could be assembled in near mass production quantities, get them into
orbit whenver opportunities prsent themselves.
 
> > The reality is, LEO is all we are going to be able to afford. I do not
> > see the thousands upon thousands of amateurs willing to put up the $$
...
> Exactly.  No-one is going to fly your HEO satellite unless you pay them
> a *shitload* of money.  You can get away with cheap (sub-??20,000)
...
> Volvo.  How much do you think it costs to park a Volvo 22,000 miles
> away, when the gravity well is working against you?

Well, instead of thinking HEO for the time being, one simple design
tossed up multiple times, on the same frequency pairs, to minimise 
tracking efforts is the way to go.

> people.  It would be a start, though.  I like the idea of a linear bird
> with an FM "slot", that would be good.

KISS

...
> Gordon MM0YEQ

- Diane VA3DB
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