[amsat-bb] Need another reason to attend the AMSAT Symposium?

[Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK)]

Hi!

The AMSAT Symposium in Orlando is two weeks away.  If you need another
reason to attend besides all the activities that are being planned 
around the event, here is something to consider.  Hector Martinez 
CO6CBF, an active satellite ham and the first Cuban ham to obtain the 
ARRL's satellite VUCC award, will be at the Symposium.  Hector will 
give a presentation during the Symposium, and is looking forward to 
meeting those he has worked on the satellites.  

I wanted to say more about this earlier, but the process for Hector to
get the proper documents from the US and Cuban governments to make the 
trip has not been easy.  This has been in the works for at least six
months, with no guarantee that Hector would receive all the necessary
paperwork in time to attend the Symposium.  Lots of people in the US 
and in Cuba have been working hard to lay the groundwork for this trip 
to happen.  A big thank-you goes to AMSAT, for extending a formal 
invitation to Hector to attend and give a presentation.  This invitation
was the starting block for Hector to approach both governments and file 
applications to get the required paperwork for this trip - a Cuban 
passport and travel permit, along with a US visa.  I will compile a 
list of those who have assisted in this effort and post that later.  

In order for Hector to make this trip, all expenses for his trip must
be guaranteed by someone outside Cuba.  I have taken on that task 
personally on behalf of AMSAT, even signing legally-binding documents
for the Cuban government to that end.  With that said, if anyone would 
like to help me with the expenses for this trip, please contact me 
directly.  AMSAT is not picking up the expenses related to Hector's 
trip, and won't be involved in collecting funds.  I am not going to 
have a nice PayPal widget, but will go "old school" for that - send 
me a check or money order to my PO box in Arizona.  I will keep track 
of any contributions toward Hector's trip, and list them on a web 
page which I will set up this weekend.  

I know Hector has been looking forward to making this trip.  Hector 
called me this morning after he received the call that his passport
with US visa were ready to be picked up in Havana.  It was easy to 
hear the happiness and excitement in his voice, despite the rough 
telephone connection.  I'm looking forward to seeing him come out
of Customs in the Miami airport in two weeks, and taking him up to 
Orlando....

73!





Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK 
http://www.wd9ewk.net/