July 2020 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

The SATS
by Gerald Witalec 13 Jul '20

13 Jul '20

With all this hate and discontent going on, I have eight individuals who are interested inobtaining their Amateur Ham Radio License, but what they are seeing the bickeringon this board, they are now all on hold. Their interest was also in the satellites. Jerry...W8RQM

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Gravitas
by Jeff Davis 13 Jul '20

13 Jul '20

Respect and trust are things not easily earned from people we almost never see. It’s not difficult for me to respect and trust my wife having lived with her for 42 years. Politicians and BoD members aren’t like that. We often barely know them so any decision about who to vote for or who to trust when conflicts arise is generally something of a gamble. But in this case the "explanation letter" issued by AMSAT was signed by some people I've trusted for years, especially Dr. Tom Clark and Keith Baker whose signatures lend considerable gravitas to the response. That said, I’m satisfied with the response and have made up my mind about the choices in the coming election I intend to make. I hope you all have too. And for those non-members who have kicked up considerable chaff here on the -BB, I invite you to turn your angst, whatever it might be, into action by joining AMSAT and have a vote in the matter. Otherwise, you’re just ranting with into the wind for no reason other than to hear your own voice… https://www.amsat.org/join-amsat/ <https://www.amsat.org/join-amsat/> Jeff, KE9V AMSAT 28350

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Re: [amsat-bb] Non Profits and Boards
by Michael Tondee 13 Jul '20

13 Jul '20

I have no idea what this below is supposed to insinuate if anything but to set the record straight, I am responsible for two recent post both of which I stand by. The "cookie jar" reference and the opinion that AMSAT has been stagnant and absent of any real innovation for years. The "stagnant" post never went through for whatever reason so I ended up forwarding it again. Yes, that's full my name and call, been at the same QTH for 27 years and my opinions are my own. The call was originally my late father's. Even though I'm not a member any more, I keep up with this list because I keep hoping this organization will do something to show me it deserves my support. Needless to say this latest fiasco doesn't do that. >From the outside looking in AMSAT is broken and it was broken long before this scandal. Now I'm repeating myself, for what good it does. Y'all really should clean house in your next election. Misappropriation of funds in a non profit is no laughing matter. I will gladly join again if I see that happen and I begin to see this organization moving forward again. 73, Michael W4HIJ > > Message: 3 > Date: Sun, 12 Jul 2020 20:33:28 -0700 > From: W3AB/GEO <w3ab(a)yahoo.com> > To: Dwayne Sinclair <nna6us(a)gmail.com> > Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Non Profits and Boards > Message-ID: <cdead1a6-a683-4af9-a92c-8d3083e8d5f4(a)yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > Now it gets even better. > > Who is NA6US? Dwayne Sinclair? Didn't come up on qrz.com. > > Why was this posted under > > MICHAEL A TONDEE, W4HIJ's name? > > > ?___ > Sent from my two way wrist watch > 73 de W3AB/GEO? > >

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Members Please Read
by Brad Smith 13 Jul '20

13 Jul '20

If you care about the AMSAT organization continuing to help hams in space communications, please read and reread Patrick's and Michelle's explanations. They layout exactly what happened. Now we learn that the expenditure is over 16k. That is 363 memberships, if this retired engineer's math is correct. This is money wasted to beat down two members who want transparency and progress. This was not right. Our money was wasted! I am anxious for the election. Again, I ask that members do not resign over this. That helps nobody and hurts out hobby, which has already taken a huge hit. Solve this with your voting privilege. 73 Brad KC9UQR

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Enough of this!
by Meeko Kittika 13 Jul '20

13 Jul '20

I'm from Amsat-UK land and completely disgusted with this pantomime. I'm un-subscribing because I came here to discuss and learn about amateur satellites with like minded individuals. I was wrong apparently. What I'm witnessing is a mess. Sort yourselves out! You do a disservice to the hobby. Meeko M0FVD

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Re: [amsat-bb] Back after a 2 yr absence
by Clint Bradford 13 Jul '20

13 Jul '20

Me, too. Was just appointed as an AMSAT Ambassador. Other than that, not much newsworthy lately from AMSAT-NA … (g) Clint Bradford K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com > On Jul 13, 2020, at 5:55 AM, amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org wrote: > > Back after a 2 yr absence ...

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Back after a 2 yr absence
by Rafael Pena 13 Jul '20

13 Jul '20

Saludos Armando. Pues buscate un lector ( "reader") para que dijieras todo lo que ha pasado en este tiempo de ausencia....espero escucharte en los sat algun dia desde Washington, DC Rafael / NN3RP ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Mon, 13 Jul 2020 01:57:45 -0400 From: Armando Mercado <am25544(a)gmail.com> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Back after a 2 yr absence Message-ID: <CAOgooFkH6TK5L=zMEvg7qis17gh-QOz1T2UVT3361i1=SNPN_Q(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" I recently renewed my membership. Looks like I have a lot of catching up to do. Armando, N8IGJ ------------------------------

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Re: [amsat-bb] Members Please Read
by Paul F. Merrill 13 Jul '20

13 Jul '20

I agree that this mailing list has strayed from its strongest contribution: satellite information, discussion, and mentoring. I come from, and have been on the BOD of, a professional organization for a number of years now. FWIW, I know too well that an organization often lawyers up to protect itself, and in our issues, our attorney was engaged to act solely on behalf of the Organization and not necessarily current management. This thread has turned in to a long, ugly diatribe filled with accusations, counter-accusations, and painfully-obvious shills. I am a recently-renewed member who doesn’t have a dog in the fight, so I just want what’s best for AMSAT. Sadly, the stereotypes are starting to show - the members who contribute nothing but want to tear down those “In power,” the members who contribute nothing and don’t want anyone to make waves, and the few who actually do anything. As a number of people have commented, working in a non-profit or unpaid leadership role is utterly thankless, which is lost on many people - especially those who have never labored in this sort of endeavor. My favorite story from our times of trouble is when our Parliamentarian said, “Roberts Rules are the last refuge of a scoundrel. Grown men and women should be able to comport themselves reasonably...but then I’d be out of a job.” I’m taking a little license with his exact words, but the sentiment, along with my experience, formed my native distrust of those who are right and everyone and everything before them is wrong. So...there’s my bias. I will examine that, and all the information I can before I vote. I hope everyone else will take the time and expend the effort to vote as intelligently as they can. My overriding guidance to my Association is that we contribute to the group so that we all benefit from the group. A strong organization should outlive us. Personally, I can’t wait to vote and hopefully put a fork in this. Paul / W7IV ————————- Date: Sun, 12 Jul 2020 19:27:24 -0700 From: "Daron Wilson" <daron(a)wilson.org> To: "'AMSAT BB'" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Members Please Read Message-ID: <00b501d658bd$26119cc0$7234d640$@org> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" Is there a bulletin board that discusses amateur radio satellites operations still? Asking for a friend. This is getting old. Daron N7HQR

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Back after a 2 yr absence
by Armando Mercado 13 Jul '20

13 Jul '20

I recently renewed my membership. Looks like I have a lot of catching up to do. Armando, N8IGJ

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Testing
by Michael Tondee 13 Jul '20

13 Jul '20

I'm sorry but I don't see where my last post ever got through. Pretty sure it was sent to the right place but I never saw it show up. Hmnn, wonder why... too critical? At any rate, not a member but reading all the mud being slung at two board members, who for the most part just seemed to have asked for some board accountability, this sure looks like a classic case of the kids getting caught with their hand in the proverbial cookie jar and they're now scurrying to cover it up from Mom&Dad. Sigh.... 73, Michael, W4HIJ

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