You are exactly right.

People (like me) that work on broadband digital systems have said “both/and, not either/or” for years.

I codesigned FOX DUV, worked hard on Suitsat, and have raised money for ISS Power Supply, FOX, and other analog projects.

I’m living proof that AMSAT can do anything (without threatening FM sats), including world class LDPC error correction, fancy microwave feeds, and more.

I’d like a lot more of the “both/and”.

So do grant making foundations. They put their money where my mouth is because of what I have delivered and am capable of delivering in the future.

AMSAT and ORI work with AREx is achieving almost all of the goals you outline about advanced operations. That’s some good news!

AREx work output is open source, so all can benefit and everything can be reused in case of the inevitable changes, delays, or redirections from the top.

I wanted to bring much more of this sort of work to AMSAT as a Director. It’s been a bummer to show up to a locked door, but this election could turn that tide.

I’m optimistic.

Thank you, -Michelle W5NYV

On Wed, Jul 22, 2020 at 06:56 Robert Switzer via AMSAT-BB < amsat-bb@amsat.org> wrote:

Clint, IMO there is room to promote new participation with basic FM repeaters in the sky, while at the same time providing an architecture and program for advanced operations. The vision there is to also provide a blueprint for entry-level participation at very reasonable cost. More work than a tape measure and an HT but the vision was definitely to help relative newcomers take it to the next level. There's room for both, no? Rob KA2CZU On Tuesday, July 21, 2020, 11:26:00 PM EDT, Clint Bradford via AMSAT-BB amsat-bb@amsat.org wrote:

These new projects - seems like they are “marketed” towards a very small segment os satellite operators.

Is there truly a worthwhile “return on investment" when a ground station might have to include …

“ … radio system is a 10 GHz downlink that will support 1 Mbps. You'll need a 10 GHz antenna that can be steered to track a LEO satellite and probably a low-noise block downconverter (LNB) feeding an SDR. I think similar receivers are used for QO-100, so a Google search may yield some designs that are currently working, although QO-100 is nearly stationary … “

Feels like a very few hams will partake … Exciting, indeed. But surely not geared to the masses …

Clint Bradford K6LCS _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb