[amsat-bb] Re: European Lunar Lander - Call for Declarations

[Robert McGwier]

That can't be quite right.   A gain antenna can be put on the moon but its
half power beam width will be limited by libration.   If we put a 2.401 GHz
dish on the thing we could easily stay inside the HPBW and likely not need
much power for a decent signal into a small dish on the earth.

The problem is what to do with the things in the dark when it is truly cold
and similarly hot when in the sun.

I suggest no battery and nearly as dumb as a rock linear transponder. It
probably isn't an earth satellite so it doesn't need much in the way of
control.

Interesting to say the least.

Bob
 On Jun 1, 2012 8:05 PM, "Daniel Schultz" <n8fgv at usa.net> wrote:

> Keep in mind that any ham radio transponder on the moon will not be an
> "easy
> sat". You will need an EME class station to work it.
>
> If we build a lunar transponder, we can expect to see many, many postings
> on
> Amsat-BB about how Amsat only cares about elite hams and is not interested
> in
> building satellites for the common ham.
>
> I'm not saying it wouldn't be fun to have a transponder on the moon, and
> we in
> the USA might even be able to help you build it if they get ITAR fixed in
> time, but we better put on the flame proof trousers when we announce the
> project to the masses.
>
> Dan Schultz N8FGV
>
>
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