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GET /hyperkitty/api/list/[email protected]/email/SG6SDAJRZ2XZHU2RRNUMUDCFZNRZGNQJ/?format=api
{ "url": "https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/api/list/[email protected]/email/SG6SDAJRZ2XZHU2RRNUMUDCFZNRZGNQJ/?format=api", "mailinglist": "https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/api/list/[email protected]/?format=api", "message_id": "[email protected]", "message_id_hash": "SG6SDAJRZ2XZHU2RRNUMUDCFZNRZGNQJ", "thread": "https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/api/list/[email protected]/thread/COHRCSKE2BB3OXES4ZCPEUCWGMEIUZOL/?format=api", "sender": { "address": "wb4gcs (a) amsat.org", "mailman_id": "87014499e012476c8198fad186f7f963", "emails": "https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/api/sender/87014499e012476c8198fad186f7f963/emails/?format=api" }, "sender_name": "Jim Sanford", "subject": "[amsat-bb] Re: HEO naivete", "date": "2009-02-08T01:27:56Z", "parent": "https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/api/list/[email protected]/email/LH7XSJPG7X4X54XSLKCZBN76NXWZOJHH/?format=api", "children": [ "https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/api/list/[email protected]/email/4WT45Y2CL3ZUTSA47HBWOLY3GH54CNRW/?format=api" ], "votes": { "likes": 0, "dislikes": 0, "status": "neutral" }, "content": "All:\n\nI've watched this discussion with some interest, and some pain. I'm \nover a year removed from involvement in AMSAT leadership and what was \nthen Eagle, so what follows is MY opinion; responsibility for errors or \ninaccurate conjecture are all mine.\n\nWARNING: OPINION FOLLOWS!\n\nIn no particular order:\n1. A driving force behind the move to microwaves was to provide \ninnovate SERVICES that could be versatile, and attractive to the \n\"computing\" generation. (I spent today judging a regional science fair; \nthe 30-something teacher spent the entire deliberative period texting on \nher cell phone. 3 weeks ago my 30-something son ran the Goofy challenge \n[half-marathon on Saturday followed by full marathon on Sunday thru \nDisney World]. His friends got his splits by text message, and for the \nnext 2 days he got text congrats -- not cell calls.)\n2. A driving force behind the move to microwaves was to provide \nservices that would be EASY TO USE and enable the apartment dweller or \nantenna-restricted ham to work DX with something the size of a DirectTV \ndish.\n3. A fundamental principle of the microwave package was that we'd \ndevelop the ground segment in parallel, and using common hardware, with \nthe space segment. No more, \"If we build it, they will [hopefully] \ncome.\" And of course, building more drives cost down .. . .\n4. A fundamental principle of the microwave package was that we'd drive \nthe ground segment to be affordable, as defined by the number of people \nwilling to shell out over $500 for the latest FM dual-bander with APRS \nbuilt in. (I've no idea where the cost estimate is today, but a few \nyears ago, we thought this possible.)\n5. There are varying interests at work here. Many (me included!) want \nto continue to use their legacy equipment. Many (me included!) want the \nchallenge of doing something new and innovative . . . and live up to a \nreason for amateur radio existence, technical innovation. It's all \nabout balance . . ..which led to the U/V/L package, (legacy) implemented \nin Software Defined Radio (innovative) which added some neat new \ncapability -- backpackable low data rate emergency communications. Gee, \nlooks like a win-win!\n6. FULL DISCLOSURE: I was the Eagle Project Manager for a couple of \nyears. I had to back away about 18 months ago because commitments of \nthe day job and some new family commitments prevented me from doing it \nright. One of the most painful decisions I've made in my life, but it \nwas the right one for me and I think for AMSAT. I do regret having to \nback away, and regret whatever role that had in subsequent events.\n7. AMSAT technical communithy went through a tough time. Rick Hambly \nand Barry Baines have documented that in several issues of the Journal. \n13 years ago, when my Command was going through some tough times, my XO \nand I would remind each other, \"The true measure of a man is how he \nresponds when things are not going well.\" So it is with organizations. \nAMSAT has gone through some tough times but will recover.\n8. The current leadership is working the problem. See 2 Journals ago, \nBarry described what Bill Ress is doing to reconstitute an engineering \norganization -- both in vision and in resources (volunteers). This will \ntake a while, but from my infrequent LONG conversations with both Barry \nand Bill, I think it is heading in the right direction; give it a \nchance, and help all you can. \n9. One concept that I've discussed with Barry and Bill (was not my \nidea, but I do not remember whose) is developing an operational concept \n==> functional requirements ==> definition of capabilities needed ==> \ndiscrete modules with common interface that can be built generically, \nput on a shelf, and be available on short notice to adapt to whatever \norbit/power/thermal opportunity pops up. I have professional experience \nwith \"generic\" building blocks, and it is all positive, leading to \nenhanced capabilities, and the ability to adapt to previously \nunconsidered applications, leading to higher volume, leading to lower \ncosts, leading to more sales, leading to higher volume . . . .\n10. I honestly believe that launches and financial support will be \ndifficult to obtain until we have something to show. Para 9 might give \nus something to show; could be demonstrated terrestrially -- which was \none of the orignial peripheral goals of the microwave package. Once we \ndemonstrate that we have HARDWARE ready to take advantage of \nopportunities, I really think it will be easier to cultivate those \nopportunities.\n11. Two journals ago was a very thoughtful article about the data \narchitecture of the ACP. Read it. Some good people have done some good \ntheoretical work and concluded that the Earth Space Earth segment can be \nmade to look like a long range TCP/IP connection -- with infinite usage \npossibilities. This is the kind of capability that going to the \nmicrowaves and digital data concepts brings to the table. This kind of \nwork should be encouraged and continued. I've fantasized for many years \nof \"CAT-5 to the antenna box\".\n\nSo, what's my bottom line? \nI think AMSAT is moving in a good direction away from some painful \norganizational challenges. I think AMSAT is reconstituting an \nengineering organization that can produce innovative payloads, for \nwhatever orbit is available. AMSAT needs our support.\n\nSo, keep the discussion going -- honestly, dispassionately, and \nimpersonally. The discussion should be about process and things, not \nindividuals. It should be about looking ahead, not criticising actions \nof the past. Yes, the past should be studied to learn and not repeat \nerrors, but there is no value in pouring smoldering embers on smoldering \nembers. Then support AMSAT however you can. ESPECIALLY if you have \nsome technical talent to offer, but if you don't, toss in some $$. If \nthe generic hardware concept evolves and moves to completion, funds will \nbe needed to test and build the modules. THEN, we can seek \ndemonstrations and launch opportunities, and THEN we can worry about \ngetting funded to support the launch. The key is being ready to flex on \nshort notice.\n\nHope this is of some value.\n\n73,\nJim\[email protected]\n\n\n\n\nRocky Jones wrote:\n> Bob...Your \"rant\" strikes me as pretty close to right on the money. I read the missive in the latest journal about 3.3 and 5.6 ghz links and thought \"thats nice, It will never happen\".\n>\n> A baseline requrement for ANY Amateur satellites should be that they work on frequencies and modulation methods which are consistent with radios that are already commercially manufactured for the bands in question...or can use some very easily (think the MDS converters) commercial gear for other services. \n>\n> The instant the \"bird\" is designed with some type of radio in mind that does not exist now and is limited to that bird...then the entire adventure is nice but has little practical value. \n>\n> Why on earth is the AMSAT community wasting time on a design which requires a ground station that is (by the latest Amsat Journal) \"beyond the scope of most hams\". Instead of spending time working on making an 'acp capable earth station within the reach of most radio amateurs\".\n>\n> Because if the equipment has little value beyond a satellite which could do an Oscar 40 at any time how many are going to shell out the money?\n>\n> I dont have a clue why the AMSAT design folks seem to think that it isnecessary to drive up into the microwave frequencies. They never seem to answer the question why a 2meter 70cm translator is not a good solution...and the one that we really need.\n>\n> Meanwhile AO-7 flies on.\n>\n> Robert WB5MZO life member\n>\n> _________________________________________________________________\n> Windows Live™: Keep your life in sync. \n> http://windowslive.com/howitworks?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_t1_allup_howitworks_022009\n> _______________________________________________\n> Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\n> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!\n> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb\n>\n> \n", "attachments": [] }