- Amateur Radio has many diverse interests. CW, Rag Chew, RTTY, SSTV, Contests, DX, Repeaters, D-Star, EME, Phil's latest digimode ...
- These diverse interests can coexist. There are occasional gripes about things that conflict but for the most part it is live and let live.
- Amateur Radio satellites are different. Unlike other aspects of Amateur Radio it requires a group to make it happen.
- What the majority wants is more important than any individual want.
How do you determine what the majority wants.
- Voting People will vote one way or another. If people are not given the opportunity to vote they will vote with their feet and walk away if they are not happy. In the absence of voting a small group or individual will get what they want. That may or may not be the best thing for the group.
I used to think that voting in AMSAT was necessary. Working a linear satellite pass with very little activity followed by an FM satellite that is packed is perhaps the best indicator of what the group wants.
- 'Better than Dead' I am not a fan of LEO FM satellites but it does seem to be what people want and it is something we can do. I saw a crippled old guy wearing a cap that had 'Better than Dead' embroidered on it. When I feel disappointment in what is happening I think of that guy. Is an LEO FM satellite better than no satellite at all - for me it is certainly at least a little bit better than dead. For the group it seems like the only logical choice.
73 W9KE Tom Doyle