[amsat-bb] Fwd: Cruise with Amsat!

[Bob]

Thanks to Clayton, a non-board member, just a regular member like the rest of us who stepped up to the bat to have us try something new. I remember when amateur satellites were new to me. It was exciting and different - like this new venture. I am sure that, with all of the quantitative expertise on the board,  AMSAT has evaluated the cost-benefits of this venture and it passed. 

Great to try something new. 

NZ2Z

Bob - Sent from my iPad

Begin forwarded message:

> From: John Spasojevich <johnag9d at gmail.com>
> Date: January 10, 2016 at 12:35:37 PM EST
> To: "R.T.Liddy" <k8bl at ameritech.net>
> Cc: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Cruise with Amsat!
> 
> I don't disagree completely with Clint, that said, if you have cruised
> before you know that it can be as expensive ( Penthouse Suite on the top
> deck) or as inexpensive (inside stateroom on the lowest passenger deck) as
> you like. I've only been on one Carnival ship and it was out of Galveston,
> the next to last trip out before Hurricane Ike came ashore. I have cruised
> on another line and Carnival was ok, the only issue I has was personal I
> guess..and maybe it was more because it was Texas than the line...but
> watching a group of guys spitting tobacco juice on the carpet in one of the
> show lounges was not fun. Anyway....if you are going alone....and don't
> need a porthole or balcony, I'd suggest you see about what they call the
> Class 1A stateroom...they are good for single travelers but can hold 2
> people (some ships are now fitted with cabins specifically for one person,
> Liberty is not so there is usually a surcharge for one person in a cabin
> vs. double). So if cost is a concern, there are ways to work around it.
> Remember....your cabin is mainly to sleep in, typically you won't spend a
> lot of time in it on a cruise so save your money on the room, you get
> everything the ship has to offer.  The timing is bad for a single dad with
> a kid still in H.S. so I won't be there.
> 
> Smooth Sailing & 73,
> 
> John - AG9D
> 
>> On Sun, Jan 10, 2016 at 11:07 AM, R.T.Liddy <k8bl at ameritech.net> wrote:
>> 
>> For comparison purposes, my wife and I have found the following:
>> We usually go stay with relatives in Texas and Florida for the Winterfor
>> several weeks at a time. To avoid getting sick of each other, wetake a week
>> and give them/us a break. We have found that taking acruise is much cheaper
>> than motels/meals/travel/entertainment. So,the idea of a Cruise/Symposium
>> sounds very good. There are manyin the 3 and 4 day category that would be
>> well-suited - IMHO.73,   Bob K8BL
>>      From: Stephen E. Belter <seb at wintek.com>
>> To: 'AMSAT BB' <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
>> Sent: Sunday, January 10, 2016 8:39 AM
>> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Cruise with Amsat!
>> 
>> Clint,
>> 
>> Alan¹s comments are well stated.  Let me add a little more information.
>> 
>> The proposal to hold the 2016 AMSAT Symposium on a cruise ship was
>> assembled by Clayton, W5PFG.  One of his major goals was to create a
>> ³family friendly² venue.  Where can we have a Symposium that non-ham
>> members of the family can attend and have a good time?
>> 
>> You object to the cost of a cruise.  The reality is that most cruises are
>> similar in price to the cost of a hotel room (hotels with conference
>> facilities and restaurants) *with* meals.  Note that the Symposium is not
>> a money-making operation and one goal is to breakeven financially.
>> 
>> Please note that the format of our Symposiums with published proceedings
>> mimics that of academic conferences.  This is important to the U.S.
>> Government and helps us deal with ITAR regulations.  Unfortunately, a
>> virtual (online) conference does not meet their requirements.
>> 
>> I think Clayton¹s idea is a good one.  Will attendance be up or down from
>> recent Symposiums?  I don¹t know, and we won¹t know until we try.  I think
>> it has a very good chance to be successful.  AMSAT does a lot of
>> experimenting with most of our activities.  Every Symposium is an
>> experiment.
>> 
>> In general, AMSAT Symposiums are organized by a local committee of
>> volunteers.  Dayton was organized by Steve Coy and volunteers from DARA.
>> Baltimore was organized by Frank Bauer and volunteers from the Maryland
>> and DC area.
>> 
>> In this case, Clayton stepped forward, did the investigation and leg-work,
>> and assembled a proposal.  Note that Clayton is an active satellite
>> operator and an active rover.  He is not an AMSAT board member or officer.
>> He¹s just an AMSAT volunteer, a great guy, and a friend.
>> 
>> 73, Steve N9IP
>> --
>> Steve Belter, seb at wintek.com
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On 1/10/16, 6:59 AM, "AMSAT-BB on behalf of Alan"
>> <amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org on behalf of wa4sca at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> Clint,
>>> 
>>> You have found a personal niche in which you can function and provide a
>>> valuable service, but it has
>>> very narrow, limited perspectives and experiences. No harm in that, as
>>> long as you recognize it.
>>> Fortunately we have members with a wider range of skills, experience, and
>>> viewpoints in AMSAT who can
>>> understand and take advantage of the additional opportunities which you
>>> deride. AMSAT has many
>>> functions beyond publicity, and extensively uses telepresence to great
>>> effect and economy, but at
>>> least so far there is no substitute for periodic face time. Also, as hard
>>> as it may be to believe,
>>> some hams have interests outside of satellites and would relish a chance
>>> to combine a family friendly
>>> cruise with their hobby. My recommendation is to take a deep breath, get
>>> some details and balance, and
>>> see what plays out over the next few months.
>>> 
>>> I will not be attending due to a prior commitment, so my only concern is
>>> what Gulf grids they will
>>> activate?
>>> 
>>> 73s,
>>> 
>>> Alan
>>> WA4SCA
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> <-----Original Message-----
>>> <From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org] On Behalf Of Clint
>>> Bradford
>>> <Sent: Saturday, January 09, 2016 10:14 PM
>>> <To: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb at AMSAT.Org>
>>> <Subject: [amsat-bb] Cruise with Amsat!
>>> <
>>> <Now THERE'S a guaranteed manner in which to increase
>>> <attendance: add a cruise cost to air fare.
>>> <
>>> <You gotta be kidding.
>>> <
>>> <This makes your online pleas for money raising on behalf of AMSAT-NA
>>> <for satellite projects seem trivial and unnecessary: AMSAT must
>>> <be loaded if they think this is going to enhance their stature and
>>> <bank account.
>>> <
>>> <This makes me wonder what the true desire is of AMSAT-NA. If it
>>> <is, indeed, to "disseminate info about and build birds," then the
>>> <best method available is remote, live, videocasts from presenters.
>>> <That would cost the presenter NOTHING in transportation costs.
>>> <It would involve EVERY CONTINENT on the planet. And it would
>>> <allow the largest possible audiences to "attend." Minimal charge
>>> <for password access to whatever session one wanted to see ... or
>>> <a conference package fee ... allow that access to be shown to a
>>> <classroom or audience ... those fees are TOTAL PROFIT to AMSAT
>>> <(unless honorariums are paid to some presenters).
>>> <
>>> <Overhead costs to AMSAT-NA? Virtually nothing. Largest attendance
>>> <ever of any AMSAT show in history? Guaranteed.
>>> <
>>> <Unless the same minds who thought up "let's take a cruise" are in charge
>>> <of it ... only then could someone mess up so simple a concept to bring
>>> <educational sessions to the largest audience.
>>> <
>>> <Clint Bradford
>>> <_______________________________________________
>>> <Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
>>> <to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership.
>>> Opinions expressed
>>> <are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
>>> AMSAT-NA.
>>> <Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
>>> program!
>>> <Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>>> 
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
>>> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership.
>>> Opinions expressed
>>> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
>>> AMSAT-NA.
>>> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
>>> Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
>> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions
>> expressed
>> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
>> AMSAT-NA.
>> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
>> Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
>> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions
>> expressed
>> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
>> AMSAT-NA.
>> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
>> Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed
> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA.
> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
> Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb