[amsat-bb] Elections HEO QO-100' Linear NB + Digital WB

[Mac A. Cody]

Joe,

The requirements, both physical and regulatory, are much more difficult than
what it takes for a LEO satellites like the FOX-series cubesats.  Orbital
debris mitigation, active orbital orientation, and radiation hardening 
are just
a few of the challenges that have to be met and satisfied before launch can
even be considered.

Still, it would be nice to have a duplicate of QO-100 over our skies.  
It would
certainly be a game-changer.  If the design plans are open, it might 
reduce the
time to launch by just duplicating the QO-100 design and focus on finding a
willing host.

I've been searching around looking at the Phase 4 activities that were 
going on
a few years ago.  It looks like it has been quiet for a couple of 
years.  If I
recall, there were some things about it that unsettled me a bit.  First, 
was the
plan for it to be all digital, with a limit of about 100 terminals 
working the
five-and-dime channel at any time.  Second, the cost goal for a terminal was
to be $1000, but they had a hard time reaching $1500.  Third, each 
terminal would
be set up with aN ARAP (Amateur Radio Access Point), which would allow 
legacy
radio to communicate through the 'radio network'.  The combination of 
cost (another
rich man's toy), accessibility, and regulated structure were a bit of a 
turn-off
for me.  If I wanted to communicate with my hand held radio via a 
'virtual pipe'
to someone on the other side of the world, I'd just buy a DMR radio and 
hot spot.

73,

Mac Cody / AE5PH

On 7/19/20 2:31 PM, Joe Leikhim via AMSAT-BB wrote:
> K4SAT here.
>
> I am intrigued about QO-100 and have monitored it here in Florida by 
> remote WEB SDR access. I have not been active in the years since AO-40 
> failed and have been eager to see some HEO operations like I enjoyed 
> from AO-10 and AO-13. Listening to QO-100 has rekindled that interest.
>
> Last month on AMSAT-BB I posed the question about getting a GEO ride 
> share with a commercial satellite, something that was considered 12 
> years ago with Intelsat. Having a QO-100 type transponder here CONUS 
> would grow the hobby and get folks like me active again (and 
> contributing sums as I did for AO-40). However, the "old guard" shot 
> my idea down for the usual reasons. (See my threads last month).
>
> Having a QO-100 type transponder with a hybrid of narrow band linear 
> side and wide band digital side would open up a lot of opportunities 
> for operations, public service and experimentation.   I hope the new 
> "slate" of BOD will consider this type of project as a priority.
>
> Personally, I think GOLF has not achieved results fast enough to 
> getting us a larger footprint. I am not advocating scrapping of that 
> effort, but sometimes you have to jump ahead of the project and grab 
> what is needed.
>
> 73 Joe
>
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