Hi Bob
You're so right. In some ways I've become a little jaded after some of these events where I didn't get the impression that the level engagement was always there.
At this event, that was certainly there during the event itself, which was pleasantly surprising because we had a real problem getting the organisers to be particularly helpful or cooperative.
I was controlling the radio side, and Carlo G0AKI was organising the kids at the mic. It's a standard setup we've done together before - this is the ninth contact we've benn involved with! I would have LOVED to have had a proper video of everything else going on, but as you can see it was very dark too! I tried to get more lighting in there, and was assured the day before that it would be there, but guess what... next time I'll organise my own lighting. Even if the lighting had been right, in reality we needed someone to do a decent video too. I will see if we can do that next time.
What I liked about this one was the round of applause we got when the astronaut finally answers. We did not prime the audience for that, and it's the first time it's happened to us. Carlos likes to start the calls a minute too early - it seems to get the adrenaline flowing rather well.
Howard
-----Original Message----- From: Robert McGwier [mailto:rwmcgwier@gmail.com] Sent: 08 August 2007 18:38 To: Howard Long Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Video on YouTube
Howard:
Thank you very much for this. This is inspirational to say the least and it has me wanting to make a suggestion. I think everyone understands the impact this has on the kids. But they are so rehearsed and nervous typically that they stand at ATTENTION, etc. Don't get me wrong. They are very excited and the after reviews are universally positive.
However, if want wants to see the impact in the raw, we could use a camera or two looking at the family and friends and peers of these kids. I have seen people almost jump out of their clothes and parents literally break down and cry at the excitement or joy they feel. Anyone who ever goes to one of these and cannot see, hear, feel, almost taste the emotional impact this is having on the audience, is without senses and a heart. I would rather the voted out of office in AMSAT rather than ever fail to support the continuation of this program.
Many do not realize just how small the cadre of solid volunteers are available to the AMSAT's of the world. If we inspire one or two people at each of these to get interested and a few of them come back later to help us, it is a huge deal. This is an investment, we can and will, no MUST make.
73's Bob N4HY
Howard Long wrote:
Folks
I uploaded a video on YouTube that you may be interested in showing last weekend's QSO with astronaut Clay Anderson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1swyCCTbP1w
Howard G6LVB
-- AMSAT Director and VP Engineering. Member: ARRL, AMSAT-DL, TAPR, Packrats, NJQRP, QRP ARCI, QCWA, FRC. ARRL SDR WG Chair "If you're going to be crazy, you have to get paid for it or else you're going to be locked up." Hunter S. Thompson