From e-ham net where the action shiffted to:)
My comments in the text
Posted By KD5NJR
I believe there is a single paid employee (Martha) in "all of AMSAT".
Yep we here in Canada we lost at RAC the equivalent in the name of the late Debbie Norman VA3RGM General Manager. A dedicated women as Martha
It's just a volunteer organization. They have their hands full just getting the newsletter out.
Probably the only one AMSAT membership tangible assets actually
Here below is one way to explain the inaction you perceive.
- The early OSCARS rode for free as balast.
There was also ballast in the last JAXA launch...
- Now they don't. Mass = money.
If we add up the total mass of the cubes already in space EAGLE AND P3E should already be in space
3a) Donors = money
Yep but they need more than a journal and an annual general meeting/show
3b) Donations = eager (cranky?) satellite users.
Yep they want to make QSO ON AN AMATEUR SATELLITE FOR MORE THAN 15 MINUTES PER PASS
- These users want long (hours, not seconds), DX QSOs.
Yep see above
5a) So, there is a lot of pressure to employ frequencies and modulation schemes that can service the greatest number of users / kilogram. And they want that package in a high (long duration) orbit.
Yep we agree here also
5b) There is resistance to above when it means building / buying new ground station equipment for the end users. Years were spent in discussion on these points.
Stay in a KISS configuration and keep the fancy and exotic mode for a later launch
- The lab was mothballed for a while after AO-40.
I keep mine away from mothballed as i recycle them on LEO'S and it helps to justify the junk in my backyard to my wife eyes...we never know! see this http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338706/ A good week end film to watch;)
From when I got my ticket until last year (trying to cut back on costs) I was paid up on ARRL and AMSAT. Did the FMsat and PCSat thing. I have my IC-910. Listening for a clear game plan. Then, I'll resume donations and collecting hardware for my station.
Who comes first syndrome the egg or the chicken?
73
Scott
KD5NJR
"-"
Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE