I can't for the life of me understand the point in people using terms that tend to divide AMSAT into different groups or warring factions. The last thing in the world this organization needs right now is to be divided about anything. I don't think the people you derisively refer to as " FM'ers" would be at all upset if some type of linear transponder flew on any new bird. I think when you get right down to it, everybody wants the same thing which is a variety of sats with different mode capabilities that will interest and accommodate all sat operators. I think all of us want an HEO if at all possible. The thing is though some of us seem to be more in tune with the realities of the modern world and realize that the launches are not financially feasible. We don't live in some type of fantasy land where we think launch opportunities grow on trees. We make due with what we have and try to enjoy ourselves instead of pining away for the "good old days". We try to support the BOD in whatever endeavor or direction that they feel is best for the organization right now. Do you honestly think they are lying to you when they tell you that financially feasible HEO launches are not available at present? Or that it's not possible to include a linear transponder in a cubesat which appears to be the only viable option we have for launches right now? That must be it! It must be some kind of conspiracy that has been hatched by those dastardly scourge of the earth "FM'ers". :-) Right now I'm an "FMer" because that's all the capability I have right at present. I could have bought another TS-2000X like I used to have and be on the existing linear birds but I blew my wad on a Flex 5000 because frankly, I feel it is a far superior radio to anything else on the market. It will take me quite sometime to save the money for the upcoming V/U module that will give me linear transponder access again, maybe even a couple of years, but for now I'm I try to be happy with the capability I do have which is a portable FM sat setup. I don't think that myself or anyone else should be labeled and looked down upon for simply trying to enjoy ourselves on the birds in the best way we can. 73, Michael, W4HIJ
On 6/17/2010 3:06 PM, Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL wrote:
At 05:11 PM 6/16/2010 -0400, G0MRF@aol.com wrote:
In a message dated 16/06/2010 22:09:24 GMT Daylight Time, vlfiscus@mcn.net writes: Why does everything always have to be FM all the time. KB7ADL
But doesn't Arissat-1 include a linear transponder ??
David
Arissat will be fun, but objects launched from the ISS don't stay in orbit all that long. The linear transponder is going to have to compete for time with all the other downlink modes& experiments the bird can do. I'm thinking the linear transponder probably won't be turned on much, because it might upset the FM'ers.
KB7ADL
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