Jerry, Yes, I have been there too. So has Clint. Now that I am retired, I do not have to wait until the weekend... Don't wish away the time. When it happens, you'll be in our boat too. 73, Dee, NB2F
-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2011 2:27 PM To: Clint Bradford Cc: [email protected] Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Bickering ...
I spent the last two days building and putting up a temporary NVIS antenna for 60 meters that I needed for a R.A.C.E.S. exercise that took place yesterday. I used insulated wire, hose clamps, two telescoping pool cleaning poles, 4 random sections of TV antenna mast, some PVC pipe, some wood, hose clamps, and cable ties. I whacked the poles into things while moving them, scraped some doors, smashed a finger, left cut cable ties all over the yard, twisted the wires, pulled down one end support trying to put up the other, lost cable ties, and slightly bent a small bit of my backyard fence.
If I had been on TV while doing this and I had to undergo the same scrutiny given the ARISSat launch by some in this crowd, I would no doubt be considered to be the clumsiest person on earth with no idea what I was doing and no clue how to do it. But you would not have been there in the 108 degree heat, to appreciate the amount of effort necessary to get this done by one person in a short period of time, with limited resources.
And the antenna worked well, and accomplished its mission.
So has ARISSat.
If you didn't put it together and you didn't launch it... don't tell those who did, how they should have done it. Thank you.
It's good to see those here who are focusing their energy on the rewards and celebrating the success, rather than complaining about the perceived mishandling (a.k.a. backseat driving). I watched the launch while we were doing our exercise, and I can't wait to get my opportunity to hear and work ARISSat this weekend when I'm not stuck at work!!!
Until then, jealously enjoying reading your reports.
73 Jerry N0JY
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