[amsat-bb] Re: Public Relations Lacking

Wed Nov 20 13:21:56 PST 2013

Thanks Rich,

*"I don't think that the school systems across the country have a clue of
the great resources in ARRL,  AMSAT,  local clubs, and citizens offer
including the local system where K4AMG mentors.  They just don't get!"*

Actually some do. Just look and talk to the schools that had direct
contacts with the ISS (ARISS). The local hams have worked wonders and some
of the teachers are now engaging much more in amateur radio related STEM
activities. It takes local folks to make a difference in local schools like
you are proposing. It takes AMSAT, ARRL and others to make key support
materials available for the local folks.

Be prepared for the obvious and not so obvious questions:
How does that fit within the approved curriculum and planned activities?
What are the resources you will provide to the local school and especially
the teachers?
Who will be doing it? What will it cost?
...and so on.

Good luck and keep us posted.
Stefan

On Wed, Nov 20, 2013 at 3:00 PM, Rich/wa4bue <richard.siff at verizon.net>wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> I don't think that the school systems across the country have a clue of
> the great resources in ARRL,  AMSAT,  local clubs, and citizens offer
> including the local system where K4AMG mentors.  They just don't get!
> That is why we are now assembly a presentation for our school board.
> * Send to each board member resource info
> * Hopefully speak with them 1 - 1
> * Make presentation to the entire board
> * Make some suggestions
> * K4AMG will help fund the extra things that might be needed, no extra
> expense to the city.
>
> So PR info is critical to all of us!
>
> Earlier this year, when we borrowed the CUBESAT simulator, we did discuss
> trying to build a CUBESAT.  I think that if there was a parts list or a kit
> we could do that a lot easier.  We could use our  coordinated repeater
> frequencies all ready assigned (1/2 duplex).  It may never be launched but
> we could arrange to have it flown every now and then.
>
> I hope that this will development more discussion leading to a plan,
> action, and desired results
>
> God Bless
>
> Rich
> W4BUE
>
> ***********************
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bryce Salmi" <bstguitarist at gmail.com>
> To: "Stefan Wagener" <wageners at gmail.com>
> Cc: "Clint Bradford" <clintbrad4d at earthlink.net>; "AMSAT BB" <
> amsat-bb at amsat.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, November 20, 2013 2:49 PM
>
> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Public Relations Lacking
>
>
> Just a few comments:
>
>
>   - I'd be up for any document like this being publicly available
>   - AMSAT Engineering is using it's expertise in radio comms as leverage
>
>   for supplying a comms board to other cubesat payloads that can be turn
> into
>   a full fledged bent pipe transmitter at end of mission. Not sure if this
> is
>   actively being promoted yet, probably more leverage once Fox-1 flies
>   - I have no idea if AMSAT has a presence (official) at the cubesat
>
>   symposiums and conferences (I think there's a big one in Utah or at least
>   was). That would be a good idea for this.
>   - A great start would be to build up excitement within amateur radio and
>   use that momentum to extend it. Again at least on AMSAT-NA side of thing
>   Fox-1 is a big step towards that.
>
> Nice discussion!
>
> Bryce
>
> KB1LQC
>
>
> On Wed, Nov 20, 2013 at 11:02 AM, Stefan Wagener <wageners at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>  This ARISS guide is very useful for schools and communities seeking a
>> voice
>> contact with the ISS. It is a procedure "manual" for a very specific
>> purpose to guide applicants in the process for one specific goal, the
>> contact. While the guide clearly fulfills its purpose and is used widely
>> in
>> preparation, it does not even mention AMSAT (however refers to the ARRL).
>> However, the format and purpose is NOT useful for engaging individuals
>> and/or groups involved in cubesats and amateur radio.
>>
>>
>>
>> What is needed is a “101 on CubeSats and Amateur Radio” document/guide
>> that
>> at certain levels of detail clearly outlines the benefits, pitfalls and
>> processes involved in using amateur radio within a planned cubesat
>> project.
>> It should preferably be written by AMSAT (available in the store?) however
>> the amateur radio satellite community at large is a great resource. In
>> essence, we need to tell folks not how (necessarily) but why they should
>> include us and clearly outline the benefits (assuming we have a few).
>>
>>
>>
>> All universities and even schools have in general a very effective
>> communication group/department and their ability to promote their projects
>> for fundraising purposes speaks volume. The lack of engagement by these
>> groups with our community is based on previous experience and/or
>> ignorance.
>> Both of these are something we as a community have to take responsibility
>> for. Negative experience based on cubesat bashing has done a lot of damage
>> (based on very personal experience) and the lack of clearly outlining the
>> benefits, our expertise, specific services and other tangible factors is
>> also a factor.
>>
>>
>>
>> If, and I say if, engaging the cubesat community is a priority of AMSAT
>> (NA), it will require time, resources and a full commitment by the board
>> and yes, most of all volunteers. What could help is for example having a
>> working group chaired by a VP for cubesats (small satellites) and having
>> the annual meeting in partnership with one of the annual cubesat
>> symposiums
>> for a joint conference. However, the board will have to decide how
>> important that is in comparison to other priorities. In the meantime, it
>> is
>> up to the individuals making an effort on the local level.
>>
>>
>> My 2 cents, and I am going back working on our local ARISS project.
>>
>>
>> Stefan
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Nov 20, 2013 at 11:56 AM, Clint Bradford
>> <clintbrad4d at earthlink.net>wrote:
>>
>> > >Is the guide available ...
>> >
>> > This is not the exact one I used for our ARISS contact ... but it is
>> close
>> > ...
>> >
>> > https://files.secureserver.net/0fgxMFjvG2DaFC
>> >
>> > I will upload the other one tonight - to the same folder.
>> >
>> > Clint
>> > 909-241-7666 - cell
>> >
>> > ----------------------------------
>> > Clint Bradford, K6LCS
>> > http://www.clintbradford.com
>> >
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