As a means of affirming what Jerry has stated here, I'll comment about my own experiences. A few years ago, I volunteered to help out on the AMSAT-SDR project. Unfortunately, I had to bow out because my employer was concerned about possible conflict of interest. It sucked, but I didn't want to place AMSAT, or the other individuals that had volunteered to help, in a situation that might impact the use of the technologies that were developed. If anything, it spurred AMSAT to draw up a policy document on how to address this type of conflict of interest.
I used to be a relatively frequent presence on the FM satellites, but my involvement has pretty much ceased due to my work. Let's just say that I have developed some technologies in recent years, some supporting the field of satellite networking, that are starting to take off. Consequently, my free time has become more dominated by other priorities.
Sometimes life gets in the way. Sometimes the reasons are good and other times they are not. We just have to be patient when it happens to us and understanding when it happens to others.
73,
Mac Cody / AE5PH
On 7/11/20 7:26 PM, Jerry Buxton via AMSAT-BB wrote:
On 7/11/2020 17:16, Jeff via AMSAT-BB wrote:
I'm thinking Joe just had enough of all this BS, and I certainly don't blame him....
I will say that just like everyone, there are "real life" things that come up and demand and deserve the attention even if it impacts our hobby. AMSAT Officers really are very dedicated volunteers and the hours are long (as my wife liked to say, "I saw more of you when you got paid to work.") Real life can slam what hours we have grown used to giving our hobby and that easily causes the appearance of neglect or wondering why an Officer appears to have gone AWOL. Since the real life stuff is often personal, despite the amount of sharing or appearances any volunteer is known for most are not willing to share their personal life and problems with fellow hams everywhere via the same media they usually use. Most probably don't even happen to think about any unexplained absence perceived by anyone beyond letting our other Officers and team leads know. And when it gets too deep something's gotta give, and it will be hobby/volunteer time spent toward others but the information shared publicly is often "personal reasons" for the obvious reason. I don't think Joe or anyone else who has had to step down or step back from any position and effort they have been volunteering to AMSAT take that decision lightly or without reluctance when it comes. Having had enough is certainly something that would be understandable since this is "just a hobby" but the reason for departure is not as likely to be a somber "personal reasons". It's probably a much more lively response, I would imagine! hihi
Jerry Buxton, NØJY
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