[amsat-bb] AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 14, Issue 296 (Waving an antenna)

[Zach Metzinger]

On Fri, Aug 02, 2019 at 11:57:33AM -0400, Michael via AMSAT-BB wrote:
> Again, just one man's opinion but if we just continue to 
> maintain the status quo as it stands now, I see a dim future for this 
> organization. Sigh...

Michael,

I certainly see some excellent changes afoot with the GOLF program, 
which AMSAT has backronym-ed into Greater Orbit Larger Footprint. Please
do check out https://www.amsat.org/category/amsat-news/golf/ regularly
for updates.

Building, testing, and launching a satellite is a complex process -- more
complex than I would have originally suspected. The process takes time,
and AMSAT is limited by ITAR as to what it can share. Want to make a change?
Write your senators and representatives about the insane idea of considering
amateur satellites as potential space weapons!

It is easy for a challenger to claim that they'll do something amazing that
the incumbent board members haven't done. However, I'd put my money on 
actual progress, not talk. AMSAT has regularly launched LEO sats, with 
one single failure in recent history. Fox-1E will carry a linear transponder
and is the next one to go up.[1]

Push the envelope! Get ready for 5GHz up / 10GHz down, experiment with
digital modes over linear transponders using appropriate power, work on
a portable setup for new hams, or publish an article. The future is yours
to define!

73,

--- Zach
N0ZGO

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMSAT#Current_projects