someone points out that it is in fact, no longer our band?

70cm is a shared band, and is where the bulk of the cubes go. Amateur radio is a secondary user. Were the satellites (at least from the US) to apply for a part 5 experimental license, they could and would use the exact same frequencies. In fact, it's happened already. It's a moot point about "our band" vs. "their band". We need to adapt or perish, as plain as that.

More seriously: I see the FOX PayPal applet saying a little under $7.5k at the present. How long has it taken to raise that amount?

That portion of the funding dates from about when ARISSat reentered in January, and we switched widgets to the current Fox one. More was raised from direct mailings to members.

How much do we actually need? Or to get to the crux of the matter, at the current rate, when will we hit the required target, in comparison to when we need to pay for the launch?

"We" have a subsidized launch already courtesy of NASA's ELANA program, because of the educational aspect. Current estimate is late 2013, details to be determined. Other flight opportunities for additional spacecraft are pending. The funds being raised now go towards construction and other costs. See http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/fox/ for more info.

All of this is regularly updated in letters and the Journal that go to current paid members, as well as ANS and on the website.

73, Drew KO4MA