[amsat-bb] going digital

[Gus]

On 07/21/2014 01:57 AM, Phil Karn wrote:
> On 07/20/2014 08:00 PM, Gus wrote:
>
>> I'd hazard to guess that the 'average' shack has multi-mode HF
>> capability, along with VHF/UHF FM.  Some lesser number of 'average'
>> shacks will have multi-mode VHF/UHF, or could readily acquire that
>> capability without too much expenditure in resources (time, effort, money).
> When DirecTV designed their satellite broadcast system, did they worry
> about backward compatibility with the multitude (or so it probably
> seemed) of existing C-band BUD (Big Ugly Dish) owners? All of whom were
> then receiving analog FM, I might add.
>
> If not, then why are they still in business?
>
>

Probably because they didn't design a satellite.  They designed an 
entire system including ground station components as well as flight 
hardware.  The ground system components were made available such that 
their target audience was able to upgrade their BUD installations with 
only reasonable expenditures of time, effort and money.  But that's just 
a guess in my part.

I'd love to chat with you on the new digital hamsat, but if it's going 
to require I spend $5k+ on hard-to-source, esoteric components and 
cobble them together with duct tape, then it'll be a while before I'm 
QRV.  So, the first few days after launch those 60 DV channels may be a 
little quiet.

-- 
Gus 8P6SM
The Easternmost Isle