Didn't they just "survey" the membership one year ago? If the surveys aren't going to be on topic or considered in the final decision as to band preference, why not save the money for more worthwhile ventures?
Roger WA1KAT
AMEN, Roger!
And to the dozens that have already answered you, and the hundreds that will.....
If this sounds like an "I TOLD YOU SO", it just may be, if the shoe fits wear it...
When ECHO was first proposed many years ago I opposed it violently, and was promptly ostracized by many of the AMSAT-NA leaders at that time....So be it, my shoulders are broad...The proponents of ECHO maintained an easy-sat, with minimal investment, and I was vociferous in my opposition that they were KILLING interest in ham radio satellites in the US, and perhaps elsewhere.
I am not a rocket scientist or an engineer, but have operated every mode I could afford since I was licensed in 1952, and I based my decisions on the fact that I KNOW ham radio operators...98% of them WANT a challenge to pursue, and that they were appealing to about 2% of them.
I got interested in OPERATING amateur satellites. I had listened to Oscar 1, when I was still on active duty as Navy pilot...with no chance to set up transmit capability...
My first contact on Oscar 7 in 1980 required a total investment of about $90. I pulled the finals on a SWAN 500, to use as an exciter for a homebrew converter...an HQ180 for the 10M downlink, homebrew antennas in both directions. It wasn't fancy, but it worked, and I've managed to work every satellite in every mode that has ever been launched since......
I predicted the end of AMSAT-NA, at that time, and now it looks as tho it is coming true, UNFORTUNATELY...many of us "old goats" like myself have long since deserted.
Appeal to the "2 meter mentality" as I call it, and that is what we are winding up with....
I got on "S" band just like the hundreds of other out there, could still be done.
If we quit promoting the stupid space station contacts as having anything to do with ham radio... that is a bill of goods, also...ESA supports satellite amateur radio....some in this organization are promoting NASA, I assume to feather their own nest.
At the ultimate expense of amateur satellite radio all over the world...
Get off the dime feather merchants...
73, Dave wb6llo@amsat.org Disagree: I learn....
Pulling for P3E...