Very nice presentations. One attract my attention was made by Peter Guelzow DB2OS one one of his slide we can read:
ATTRACTIVENESS OF AMATEUR RADIO HAS DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY
FUNDING A SATELLITE FROM AMATEUR RESSOURCES ALONE NEVER WORKED BEFORE AND WILL NOT WORK NOW.
I don't how to explain how all the wisdom and reality knowledge seems to be concentrated in Europe when speaking about amateur satellite? Could be we are too stupid here and we swallow anything "the official" says but with the figures given 3.5$ millions can be reached in 3 years by 6000 supporters at a contribution rate of 200$ per year.
I know figures was given in pounds but it is achievable if one day or another the AMSAT'S regroup under an unique satellite funding structures any goals will be achievable. It's true that "FUNDING A SATELLITE FROM AMATEUR RESSOURCES ALONE NEVER WORKED BEFORE" but the context never evolved the same AMSAT'S pattern remain as if it was the only one TRUE solution...It's not.
OPINION POLL AND SURVEYS
I start one "unscientific" couple years ago AMSAT-NA make one more scientific...too and the last one show up the very same results the amateur community want's by a very strong margin HEO'S. The cube sat concept is already very well served by all the cube sats group. It will be logical NOW that the NON CUBE amsat's refocused their goals on HEO'S.
It should be their primary goals not making cube sats as they are cheaper to construct and launch but making or financially/technically supporting the most viable actual HEO'S project eg: P3E.
Again after a small period of darkness someone light up the candle at the end of the tunnel and the tunnel is under the Atlantic with the exit at +- 4000 KM from here.
Still hope when there is still life!
"-"
Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE