But if the goal of satellite operation is from the shack-potato position, why not just use the internet and not bother.
Don't forget the TOTAL FAILURE of the original SAT-PHONE industry when they ignored cellphones and fiber. No one would bother with a sat-phone when their $9/mo cell phone could do the job almost 99% of the time and call anywhere on the planet. The only thing SAT-PHONEs turned out to be good for are wilderness communications, and there are plenty of places on earth that fit that category. Probably 90% of the earths surface is a wireless desert. But the 99% of the worlds population lives in that wired-10%.
I have also heard that these days, " all of the satellite communications carried by all the comm satellites worldwide could fit on a SINGLE fiber.
The value of ham radio is providing communications where other systems cannot. And of course, playing with toys just for fun.
Bob, Wb4APR
-----Original Message-----
I've heard comments that basically imply anyone who wants to go outside with an HT and wave a yagi around is stupid.
Standing outside with a yagi in hand and the monsoon trickling down my neck isn't for me. It is demonstrably a valid way to make contacts and an excellent way to demonstrate how satellite operation can occur with minimalist equipment.
But as far as I'm concerned, it IS NOT the ultimate objective of a satellite operator....