[amsat-bb] Hard times for satellite radio buyers?

[Robert McGwier]

This is the correct state of play in my opinion.

RFIC's are making every band from 50 MHz - 6 GHz commodity priced and
capable of supporting narrow band analog modes through 25 MHz wide digital
waveforms.  This is the future because people want more for the less money.

Bob


On Sun, Mar 19, 2017 at 7:53 PM, Jeff Davis <stuckbit at gmail.com> wrote:

> It's problematic now to be sure. You buy old or you buy the THD-72 from
> Kenwood.
>
> But the "big three" are going to be ignored in the end. They don't support
> us now and the future will be twenty dollar modules from Amazon plugged
> together with a Raspberry Pi to give us the sort of functionality we need
> to work future payloads.
>
> Perhaps they understand that and have written this facet of the hobby off
> entirely?
>
> 73, Jeff KE9V
>
> On Sun, Mar 19, 2017 at 6:22 PM, Mike Sprenger <mikesprenger at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > Hi Ken,
> >
> > Welcome, and glad you've found fascination with the Amateur Satellites
> >
> > Theres always the opportunity to acquire gear from a fellow satellite
> > enthusiast which you can inquire with folks here on the BB (I've got no
> > surplus gear right now)
> >
> > Check out how many all mode rigs are available if you recognize them,
> > they're often inexpensive if you find them on a hamfest table:
> >
> >
> > http://www.rigpix.com/index.shtml
> >
> >
> > There's lots of fun to be had on the satellites, I look forward to
> hearing
> > you on the air !
> >
> > (BTW, even the most modern gear by any definition can only make "Ancient
> > SSB" sound so good)
> >
> > Mike
> > W4UOO
> >
> > On Sun, Mar 19, 2017 at 11:51 AM, Bill Booth <ve3nxk at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > > On 2017-03-19 1:53 AM, Ken M wrote:
> > >
> > >> Thanks for indulging my shopping frustrations, and my inexperience,
> but
> > >> I have to think there are others new to the hobby that are having
> > >> similar thoughts. Do Amsat members see this as a problem?
> > >>
> > >
> > > Well Ken I am of the same thinking but a bit different.  I have an old
> > 970
> > > and it works great for the birds, but like to do some EME as well at
> > 23cm.
> > > The field is like you say do it all or nothing.  The 9100 is nice but
> has
> > > HF in it. and looks real small sitting next to my 7700 HF rig.
> > >
> > > I bet the next rigs will be SDR driven and the size of your
> phone........
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > Bill Booth VE3NXK
> > > Sundridge ON, Canada
> > > 79.23.37 W x 45.46.18 N
> > > FN05ns
> > >
> > > Visit my weather WebCam at http://www.almaguin.com/
> > wxcurrent/weather.html
> > >
> > > Organ and Tissue Donation - The Gift of Life
> > > Talk to your family.  Your decision can make a difference.
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > 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
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Thanks,
> > Mike Sprenger
> > (37.9167N  81.1244W is the Summit)
> > _______________________________________________
> > 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
>



-- 
Bob McGwier
Founder, Federated Wireless, Inc
Founder and Technical Advisor, HawkEye 360, Inc
Research Professor Virginia Tech
Chief Scientist:  The Ted and Karyn Hume Center for National Security and
Technology
Senior Member IEEE, Facebook: N4HYBob, ARS: N4HY
Faculty Advisor Virginia Tech Amateur Radio Assn. (K4KDJ)
Director of AMSAT and member of PVRC, TAPR, and life member of ARRL and
AMSAT