[amsat-bb] 2013 AMSAT Symposium in Houston - My Observations

[gkcarr at go-express.net]

This was my first AMSAT-NA symposium. (I had been to at least two UK ones.)
It was excellent.
Great to put the faces with the voices. I felt right art home. And of course it was a great pleasure to finally meet Hector. We have gotten to know each other so well over the last few years via emails.
It was also a treat to meet and get my picture with W5LFL. It was my unsuccessful attempt in 1983 to talk to him that kindled my interest in the hamsats. I treasure the recording I made of his pass in Columbia. I had my then 5 yr old son assist me in constructing the turnstile antenna. He is now KB5ILL. He got his ticket at age 12.
(Do I hear the rumblings for a Journal article? Hi!)
The symposium  planners did a great job.
73
George
WA5KBH
 


-----Original Message-----
From: "Clayton Coleman" <kayakfishtx at gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, November 8, 2013 12:15
To: "AMSAT-BB" <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
Subject: [amsat-bb] 2013 AMSAT Symposium in Houston - My Observations



1.       It was great to see so many operators in attendance.  I lost
count of the total but here are just a few of the more frequent North
American stations heard on the birds: N5AFV, N5ZNL, AC0RA,
CO6CBF/KF5YXV, KO4MA, WD9EWK K5OE/M0GOE, WA5KBH, KF5LOQ, N8RO, N0JE

2.       There were lots of great presentations.  I stayed awake for most!

3.       The forecast for future transponder-capable satellites (FM &
SSB) looks bright.

4.       The banquet panel was outstanding and very well received by all.

5.       Houston knows how to put on a fun Symposium.  Kudos to the
host committee!

6.       I was pleased to see some of the developments around
licensing Cubesats in terms of experimental versus amateur licensing.

7.       We had an eclectic collection of amateurs in attendance – all
with their own unique perspectives in building and/or operating
satellites.    You could likely never assemble such a team outside of
the AMSAT Symposium venue.

8.       There are many kind and generous individuals within AMSAT-NA
who were supportive of one of our foreign visitors and in making his
journey special.

9.       Only a few people fell asleep during my presentation.  None snored.

10.   Even Texas BBQ from Papa’s is better than Memphis B-B-Q.

The opinions and observations made above are those of W5PFG and not of
any other entity.

73,

Clayton
W5PFG

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