The word "Charging" for anything Ham Radio related is out of the question. We are NOT a commercial entity and exist because of our traditional support of emergency related situations and our experimental nature. Yes, we have consented to monitor some Student sats so they can get info. We probably gave them the OK to transmit from space to start with. Unless the satellite is licensed, it cannot transmit. Have the FCC (or equivalent ) charge them for the license so they see how valuable our spectrum is. In any event, when the Universities come to us in the first place, we must support their efforts to include something we wish to have on board also. Remember, they are the ones with the "FREE" launch. Something we cannot afford to pay. So, let's keep FOX alive and well so we will have something ready to go when they ask. 73, Another Dominick in NJ, NB2F

-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of i8cvs Sent: Sunday, October 30, 2011 5:10 AM To: Kevin Gordon; Amsat - BBs Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Charge for Satellite Tracking?

Hi Kevin, ZL1BGK

You are absolutely correct ! I agree with you because if we as Amateur Satellite users will stop to collect telemetry for satellites that does not provide Amateur Radio Services,then the Universities and Commercial organizations will cease to build thousands of Microsats and Nanosats only for their own use.

Unfortunately actually we work as pickers up of tennis-ball at no cost but investing a lot of money for our equipments.

73" de

i8CVS Domenico

----- Original Message ----- From: "Kevin Gordon" [email protected] To: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, October 30, 2011 2:29 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Charge for Satellite Tracking?

If a satellite does not provide amateur radio services, why

not charge

for satellite tracking?

We could at least ask for a fixed amount per satellite as a

donation

to our amateur radio satellite fund in lieu of tracking

services.

Thousands of satellites will be placed in orbit in the

coming years.

We must lay claim to our share of orbit space by placing

satellites in orbit.

Just a thought!

Kevin zl1bgk

---

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the author.

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_______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. 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

Hi Stefan, VE4NSA

Keep those blinders on secure! Again you totally miss the point being made. These "poor" universities struggle along only charging tuitions of $15K-$50K per student and are taking advantage of hams by getting a free tracking network. If more institutions would thank the hams by providing a ham transponder then that would be considered a good return for out gratuity, but they are few.

I suspect that US hams would be in violation of rules by asking renumeration for services, but monetary contributions to amsat is something colleges could do in appreciation for the free tracking and data collection.

But you twist it into something else.

I have done my time providing free telemetry support. Now my professional services are available for a price. You do what you want. WE have our opinion on that.

73" de

i8CVS Domenico

----- Original Message ----- From: "Stefan Wagener" [email protected] To: "i8cvs" [email protected] Cc: "Kevin Gordon" [email protected]; "Amsat - BBs" [email protected] Sent: Sunday, October 30, 2011 7:51 PM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: Charge for Satellite Tracking?

Again Domenico,

what a sad comment.

No one "makes" you work as a "picker" and no one has forced you to invest whatever you invested in your equipment.

On the other hand , many of us take pride to assist and help in building relationships and offering services because we "like" it and it is fun!

Stefan, VE4NSA

----- Original Message ----- From: "Kevin Gordon" [email protected] To: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, October 30, 2011 7:13 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Charge for Satellite Tracking?

Thank you Domenico.

You understood my email exactly. Today Universities are commerical. Universities and other Commerical organisations need world wide reporting services and data collection ("tracking") of satellites.

Only with regard to satellites should Amateur Radio (i.e. AMSAT) change its traditional stance ("We are NOT a commercial entity and exist because of our traditional support of emergency related situations and our experimental nature").

Free ambulance services request a donation. I wish to suggest we request a donation "to our amateur radio satellite fund in lieu of tracking services".

73 Kevin zl1bgk.

On Sun, Oct 30, 2011 at 4:10 AM, i8cvs [email protected] wrote:

Hi Kevin, ZL1BGK

You are absolutely correct ! I agree with you because if we as Amateur Satellite users will stop to collect telemetry for satellites that does not provide Amateur Radio Services,then the Universities and Commercial organizations will cease to build thousands of Microsats and Nanosats only for their own use.

Unfortunately actually we work as pickers up of tennis-ball at no cost but investing a lot of money for our equipments.

73" de

i8CVS Domenico

----- Original Message ----- From: "Kevin Gordon" [email protected] To: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, October 30, 2011 2:29 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Charge for Satellite Tracking?

If a satellite does not provide amateur radio services, why not charge for satellite tracking?

We could at least ask for a fixed amount per satellite as a donation to our amateur radio satellite fund in lieu of tracking services.

Thousands of satellites will be placed in orbit in the coming years. We must lay claim to our share of orbit space by placing satellites in orbit.

Just a thought!

Kevin zl1bgk