[amsat-bb] Inclusion

[R.T.Liddy]

Gus,

I have a modest Satellite Station at home and I've worked
many Countries and many Grids with it. It's very enjoyable.

But, I also have equipment and antennas that I take on Grid
Expeditions to hand out rare Grids to the folks that need them
and would otherwise probably not get them. I drive hundreds
of miles to accomplish this on trips where I'm seeing things
on my Bucket List - a twofold endeavor.

And yes, I've been out in the rain and snow with a handheld
antenna which I now have on a tripod. I've done this in almost
80 Grids in both the US and Canada. I've been to some very
remote locations and seen things many folks will never have
the opportunity to see. It has been some of the most fun I've
ever had in 53 years as a Ham. I love helping other Hams reach
long held objectives. I happily do this all on my own, as do others.

You can see a photo of me and my Grid Expedition setup in
Nova Scotia  in action on my QRZ(dot)com page.

You may think it's stupid, but you are in the vast minority. Maybe
there some different words that would be better to describe an
activity that you yourself would prefer not doing. I hope next time
you'll do a better job finding some.

73,     Bob K8BL

(AMSAT Member since 1979)



________________________________
 From: Gus <gus at 8p6sm.net>
To: amsat-bb at amsat.org 
Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2014 1:39 PM
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Inclusion
 

On 07/22/2014 11:54 AM, Kevin M wrote:
> I've heard comments that basically imply anyone who wants to go outside with an HT and wave a yagi around is stupid.

I will respond to this because of comments I've made in the past, which 
may have been misunderstood.

Standing outside with a yagi in hand and the monsoon trickling down my 
neck isn't for me.  It is demonstrably a valid way to make contacts and 
an excellent way to demonstrate how satellite operation can occur with 
minimalist equipment.  But as far as I'm concerned, it IS NOT the 
ultimate objective of a satellite operator.  It is the BARE MINIMUM of 
satellite operation, and there is no way I'm going to be satisfied with 
that for more than one or two passes.

To imply to the uneducated observer and potential future satellite 
operator, that standing in the rain is the pinnacle of hamsat ground 
station technology is (in my opinion) counter productive and, yes, 
stupid.  As would be implying that a single-band, rock-bound QRP CW rig 
is the ultimate in ham HF technology.  There is nothing wrong with QRP 
or broomstick-waving, far from it.  And to those who enjoy it, more 
power to you!  But if broomstick-waving is all I can hope to achieve in 
satellite operation, then I'll be very disappointed.

-- 
Gus 8P6SM
G-QRP 6941
The Easternmost Isle

_______________________________________________
Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb