Everyone: Solution/recommendation: HEO ASAP (yes I am aware of GOLF) to make DX possible and bring in a new 'market' (revenue) and interest level to AMSAT.
Perspective (from an active and avid ham who is still on the sidelines about satellites) is:
disclaimer first: (if this offends anyone, I apologize in advance; for we all have varying interests).. and diversity is good).
My new very capable all-mode satellite radio and two new antennas (a G3RUH Helix and a WiMo 2m RHCP) are still in the box.. why?
1) I am also building a large EME array that's all-consuming, and I have yet to find a suitable (mechanically balanced) satellite rotor solution (and lack the time to build my own).
2) Currently I see very little DX possible on satellites; therefore my interest level in satellites is poor to moderate at best.
3) My QTH has 60 foot trees and so putting something near ground here is not feasible to work the pass-ends needed for DX.
I realize HEO is expensive.. but having DX possible would bring in a whole new 'market.' (revenue) DXers have money (consider the cost of current DXpeditions to places like Bouvet and view their operating budget and funding sources)
Again, I DO NOT mean to offend anyone with any other interests.. just stating my humble perspective.
OK.. if I did somehow offend anyone, I am sorry.. flames to me personally, not the list please..
very 73,
Dave KJ9I
P.S. I am not running for any AMSAT role.. merely stating my view that seems to be absent mostly from the traffic I've observed on the AMSAT-BB
On 7/28/19 10:31 AM, Ray Soifer via AMSAT-BB wrote:
I am not a candidate for the AMSAT BoD (been there, done that) nor am I endorsing or opposing anyone. Most of you know me; if not, please see my QRZ.com page. As the the then EVP, it was my fate to be Acting President during the failure and partial recovery of AO-40. AMSAT's basic problem is financial. Universities and even high schools get NASA up.money to build and launch Cubesats, while AMSAT's limited resources are slowly drying up.
I don't have a solution, but I am not running for the BoD. I urge those who are to put their solutions forward, not just their gripes. 73 Ray W2RS _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb