Butch, satellite operation can be daunting. There is a TON of information out there however. Let me suggest a couple of resources:
Start here --> https://www.amsat.org/station-and-operating-hints/
Also, look into getting this book --> https://www.amsat.org/product/2018-edition-of-getting-started-with-amateur-s...
You didn't say what aspect of Sat operation you are interested in, or the scope of the middle school ground station, but there is plenty of good starter info above.
As to the quality of information on this EMAIL reflector, it is what it is. This is NOT a threaded BBS, it is an email service. As to the storehouse of info, you can peruse the amsat-bb archives which I find quite helpful. There is quite a lot of info on Social Media as well. My suggestion is to review the link above, and ask your questions here and your social media of choice in order to further your knowledge.
73 Brad WF7T Nashville, TN EM66
---
Message: 11 Date: Sat, 2 Jun 2018 11:31:31 -0400 From: Butch [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: [amsat-bb] My two cents on this BBS vs. " A forum" Message-ID: [email protected] Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
I am an old ham but new to satellite operations and I?m building a ground station for a local middle school.
I fully support AMSAT and this BBS. I have been on this BBS for a few months now looking for information that I could use. I?ve gotten good responses to my specific questions, but as a resource for newbies, I find it lacking. This BBS seems to me more of a ?chat line? than a store house of knowledge.
I would like to suggest that AMSAT create a forum that keeps up to date info on specific subjects such as active satellites, specific satellites (and their quirks), basic info for newbies, product reviews, volunteer Elmers, homebrew projects, buy/sell/trade, etc. In this way, the accumulated knowledge is stored and searchable and not tossed into the recycle bin.
I would also like to suggest that AMSAT survey its members to get some real data on their thoughts rather than just having an open ended discussion.
Thanks for listening.
Butch K8KO