At 12:11 PM 6/18/2008, ANTHONY JAPHA wrote:
I guess there's still an Eagle sometime in our future, but seeing no mention at all of it in the most recent Newsletter is disconcerting. As our most important project, shouldn't we have updates in every Newsletter? For example, is there any news about the Intelsat connection that was introduced several months ago?
By the way, the writeup currently on the Amsat home page mentions ACP with a 3.4 Ghz (sic) downlink. Just a misprint? The nice Eagle flyer shows both up- and downlink on 5.6 Ghz.
Most important. of course, is the projected date for completion of Eagle. Maybe it can't be completely finished before the launch is determined, but the transponders have been identified for some time now. Chicken and egg problems are solved by producing either a chicken or an egg and then nurturing the other. Right now, we have neither. When do we expect to have our chicken, i.e. a complete electronics package?
I have great admiration for our designers and builders, and I also think that we should have some more visible time targets. If funding is an immediate issue that is limiting design and construction, or if it will be an issue in the near future, we should also to informed about that situation.
Tnx and 73, Tony, N2UN _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Tony,
It was probably mentioned in some of the Amsat Journals, but it was determined that the original "C-C Rider" project (5.6 GHz up & down) was not feasible to build. Thus discussion ensued that ended up with using 3.5 GHz as a downlink. It is much easier to build full duplex filters for the wider freq. separation.
Although 3.4 Ghz is not a world-wide ham allocation, anyone can receive there. The Flyer probably needs an update. I cannot answer on that. All Amsat is done by volunteer work. I suspect some tasks are begging some help!
I would like a little more info on Eagle and P4, as well. Likewise news from Amsat-DL on P3E would be nice.
I think most of us appreciate that a lot of work goes into getting these new Heo's into orbit. Most of use are armchair observers!
73 Ed - KL7UW