Reading between the lines of the President's reports from AMSAT-NA, there are some other ways that we in -NA can 'donate', which might, in the long run, be as effective as cash donations.
We are constantly making the case that our participation in ARISSAT, etc. has educational outcomes. But we do not make it very easy for the average teacher to use these resources in the classroom; and evidently our partners would very much like to see evidence of real use.
My interpretation of these reports is that we need two things. First, more satellite-savvy hams getting in the classroom. Second, a suite of lesson plans based around ARISSAT or FOX or both. Obviously, we can collaborate with UK (my guess is that ITAR doesn't cover a basic lesson on Doppler shift, but I'll check with my lawyers :-)
Who teaches for a living here, esp. at the high school level? Who likes to visit classrooms? What resources already exist? Do you have some ppts lying around that could be integrated into a larger suite? Let's start collaborating!
73, Bruce VE9QRP
On Fri, Dec 9, 2011 at 7:02 AM, [email protected] wrote:
Hi Frank.
The next AMSAT satellite due for launch is likely to be Funcube from AMSAT-UK. It will be possible to donate to this project from later this month via the AMSAT-UK web site.
UKube also carries a linear transponder, It's not an 'AMSAT' project, but the boards have been provided by AMSAT-UK. Fortunately -and we are REALLY lucky here- that project is already fully funded by the UK Space agency
In the meantime, you can use Paypal to donate to Fox at _www.amsat.org_ (http://www.amsat.org) . I believe Fox is still at the advanced design stage but this will be a short process due to all the experience AMSAT-NA have gained with ARISSat.
Or you can take the optimists view and support the completion of the hardware for P3E. Which if a launch can be identified will be spectacular for everyone. (But please let it be able to run on solar power alone!!)
Sorry if I've missed any other projects...but I'm sure they will speak up
Thanks
David
In a message dated 09/12/2011 10:19:33 GMT Standard Time, [email protected] writes:
With all that has been said here since the "expected" death of AO-51 I want to KNOW what I can do to help move towards whichever, next satellite that can be got into space. I don't care about the delivery vehicle , whether or not it is a cube, sphere, pyramid or in the shape of a Volkswagen Beetle. I am interested in a satellite that can be used by amateurs to "communicate" I have my personal preferences as to what type of satellite I would prefer but *_at this point I don't care what type of satellite it is. _* _*I know how to adapt to what ever mode it operates on. *_ _*I just want to know WHAT TO SUPPORT AND HOW TO SUPPORT IT!*_ all I have heard ,"stop the attacks, do this do that" I still don't have a clear picture of what is the closest to being ready and what we need to do to facilitate it's completion.I can't support it if the "powers to be" won't tell us what is needed.
Information is power and I don't have any information on what direction we need to head.
that's my opinion!
*_Lead, follow or get out of the way!_* Frank K4FEG
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