[amsat-bb] Re: FD Mess

[Majdi S. Abbas]

On Mon, Jun 27, 2011 at 05:18:54PM -0400, Diane Bruce wrote:
> Now hear me out before you hit that reply key. Field day operators
> are interested in those bonus points, we (amsat) are interested in
> promoting amateur radio sat operations. How many of these field day
> operations actually result in new satellite operators? Where are the
> surveys, stats? Does the extra massive battery use of our sats justify
> the PR? Keep in mind the state of AO-51 and FO-29.
> 
> Am I the only one? I'd be interested in a non-flame war discussion.

	Sure, the person operating the radio is trying to collect the
bonus points for their operation.  

	But most Field Day operations are a *group* effort.  Many of
the hams present may never have operated a satellite, and if shown
that they can get on the FM sats relatively easily, may give it a
try.  There are typically dozens of people present besides the
satellite operator, at least a few of which express some interest.  

	People who collect bonus points usually go for the public
location/information table bonus as well, so you may be introducing
possible future hams to satellite work.

	If the argument is 'show me the data,' feel free to go collect it;
the published FD scores is a good starting point for reaching out to
the involved parties.  Or you could fund a survey.  

	It seems silly to demand that outreach be justified for you;
without it, you won't need those satellites anyway.  Lack of outreach
is a self correcting problem -- just add time, and there won't be any
satellites left.

	73,

	Majdi, N0RMZ