[amsat-bb] Re: Need your support to track F-1 CubeSat

[John Spasojevich]

Well Gus, I'm guessing you read Barry's comments regarding launch cost. So
write the check and we'll be ready.  By the time $10M is raised, the cost
will have tripled. We are talking about hams, not sure how their wallets
are where you are but here in the states, if something is listed at 50
cents they'll try and screw you down to 5. So good luck raising that kind
of cash in the a reasonable amount of time. Until a school or someone else
needs a HEO bird, the path is pretty clear for now.

John, AG9D

On Mon, Sep 24, 2012 at 2:33 PM, Gus 8P6SM <8p6sm at anjo.com> wrote:

> On 09/24/2012 02:56 PM, John Spasojevich wrote:
>
>> I fail to see where your references prohibit such activity as long as
>> hams are involved. Would a school ham radio club be prohibited ?
>>
>
> Of course.  IF what they were doing was not ham-related.  Just because you
> have a ham license doesn't mean you can get on the air and use the
> frequencies for whatever you like.
>
> Would it be OK for NASA to use ham frequencies for their Mars Rover
> project, just because someone at NASA went out and got themself a ham
> ticket?  After all, the Mars Rover programme is undoubtedly educational,
> and also a technical investigation.
>
>
>  I think the main issue is that these birds don't satisfy YOUR personal
>> interest.  Just as ragchewing and dx-ing don't satisfy the schools
>> exerimental goals.
>>
>
> And neither should the schools assume that the amateur radio community
> automatically stands ready to satisfy THEIR needs, no matter what those
> needs are.
>
>
>  So maybe helping them build a transponder would satisfy both.
>>
>
> Yes, I think it would, as a reasonable compromise.  In fact, maybe we
> should PROVIDE them with a working comms board that gives them the data
> pathways they need to fulfill their experimental needs AND at the same time
> provides US with something that provides OUR needs.
>
> It seems the entire focus these days is upon leveraging educational
> opportunities.  The theory goes, as I understand it:  Since we can't afford
> to pay for a launch of our own, we COOPERATE with educational institutions
> (who do seem able to get launches) to provide useable frequencies -- and
> potentially a global network of groundstations -- IN EXCHANGE for some sort
> of communications functionality that can be used BY US.
>
> Except it isn't happening.  One satellite after another, they get what we
> have to offer (bandwidth), and they offer us... NOTHING in return.
>
>
>  But  then its not HEO so maybe just let the freqs die until funding
>> is there for the appropriate use. By then thiae freqs will have long
>> since been reallocated
>>
>
> I used to enjoy working HEO, but I am not against LEO satellites, and have
> worked quite a few myself.  But low orbit or highly elliptical, the more
> people that end up using our frequencies for non-amateur purposes, the
> greater the case that is being made for the reallocation of those
> frequencies.
>
>
>  Its beating a dead horse. That want HEO dx-ing and ragchewing are free
>> to build one. You don't need AMSAT anywhere do do that.
>>
>
> I thought that's exactly what AMSAT was created for.  The construction,
> launch, care and feeding of satellites for use by the community of amateur
> radio operators.  Guess not, eh?
>
>
>  Channel your energy into such a constructive project. I seriously doubt
>> the complaining will get anything done.
>>
>
> Neither, apparently, will AMSAT.
>
>
> --
> 73, de Gus 8P6SM
> The Easternmost Isle
>