[amsat-bb] going digital

[Gus]

On 07/21/2014 01:00 PM, Phil Karn wrote:

  > Next questions:
  >
  > Does a DirecTV receiving station cost $5K?

Actually, DirecTV is not available for purchase in my neck of the 
woods.  I can get a system installed, but it wouldn't be my system to 
fiddle with.

  > Are its components hard to source or esoteric?

Well, I know where I could nick one, but I'd rather not. Otherwise, I 
guess I could source one overseas, ship it in, then bow down before the 
Customs & Excise godlings.....  ham gear is 10 + 17.5% but there's no 
way they'd pass that as ham gear, so probably 115 + 17.5% or worse.  
That might satisfy Rx needs, but wouldn't include a transmitter....  
Does that sound hard to source or esoteric?

  > If not, what makes you think that a digital ground station for an 
AMSAT satellite should be?

Phil, I'm not saying it /should/ be, but that if it is, you won't get 
many users on the system.  So, part of the system design for any such 
bird had better include design of low cost, easy to find, simple to use 
hardware that will allow me -- or any other doofus like me -- to get QRV 
without too much hardship.

-- 
Gus 8P6SM
The Easternmost Isle