At 12:16 PM 7/17/2008, John Price wrote:
I have been reading about the need for HEO satellites and the reasons we don't have them. I wonder why the folks that wont the HEO's so bad never show up on AO-07 or VO-52. Most passes it is joe K3SZH and maybe two others at most on AO-07 and I hardly ever hear anyone on VO-52. The birds that have all the users are the FM sats. I would love to see a HEO built but if we are not going to use what we have what is the point.
73's << John
Well, John, you kinda make a point, except:
VO-52 is not an HEO. Granted it is a SSB linear transponder but does not have quite the orbit that AO10/13/40 had. AO-7 is higher but frankly is not really fully there running on only solar cells. Its like a 1970 auto running on two cylinders.
Yes, they are all that is available. Just sort of a taste of what could be! (and should see more use) ...but We'd like a bit more of a full meal.
73 Ed - KL7UW