[AMSAT-BB] Re: Phase IV satellite

I have to question just how much of a resource an amateur radio geostationary satellite would be for emergencies. Unfortunately I cannot cite any emergency communication successes on QO-100 beyond an exercise held this past February. We are competing against other space based systems that offer familiar internet connectivity and encryption - with much lower latency. Wouldn't an emergency manager want that instead? We need a good story to tell potential funding agencies. I have not heard any arguments likely to convince a grant giving organization to green light the 8 figure sum required to fund an amateur GEO project.

de KM1P Joe