The Fox-1 series of satellites will lead to the Fox-2 series with many more interesting modes and capabilities. Yes, the priority is on building and launching the Fox-1 series, but a good portion of that work will be done by next year and then the lessons learned can be applied to constructing and launching the Fox-2 series.
The reality is, of course, that FM satellites are extremely popular. I have read through much of the AMSAT-BB archives and I find a ton more posts about grid and country activations from back when AO-51 was alive than what you see now. Getting on the linear satellites is not expensive or complicated at all, but for whatever reason, we just have not been able to communicate that it's both fun, extremely rewarding, and that won't break the bank doing it to the amateur radio community as a whole, so for those of us who enjoy chasing grids, states, provinces, DX, etc, we do rely on the availability of FM satellites to activate those areas.
Also remember that AMSAT is a membership organization. If members are not happy with the direction of the organization, they are free to select directors who prioritize what the membership desires. Non-members, however, have no voice in the proceedings.
73,
Paul, N8HM
On Sun, Jul 20, 2014 at 1:19 PM, John Becker w0jab@big-river.net wrote:
On 7/20/2014 12:00 PM, Paul Stoetzer wrote: IN PART
The bottom line is that AMSAT-NA needs a significant boost in membership and visibility and that boost needs to be soon.
I gave up on AMSAT when it seemed that the main afford was put into FM in and FM out satellites. Membership ran out many (15) years ago.
John
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