I am curious at the thoughts of current satellite users. As I read the AMSAT Journal and see the progress of the Eagle Project, it reminds me of a few years ago when another "do it all" satellite was being planned - AO40. Amateurs are pumping thousands of dollars and time into this project. I remember I followed AO40 with great excitement, not to mention spending a few grand upgrading my station to be ready for this "super bird". And after all the things that went wrong after the launch, I thought - never again.
So my question is basic: why spend all this money and wait years for something that might end up another catastrophe? Why do we have to try and design a bird that does it all? We all know the more complex the bird the more room for failure. Why not just pop out another AO13 - or similar? I can't tell you how many hours of fun I had with RS10/11. And with the way things are in amateur radio now, who knows if there will be anybody even interested in this by the time Echo finally is useable.
Just a thought. I would like to hear yours now please.
Jim Beeson WA5QAP