-----Original Message----- From: Dee [mailto:Morsesat@optonline.net] Sent: Monday, February 21, 2011 8:26 PM To: 'Tony Langdon' Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Re: Considerate satellite operations behavior.

As with all HEO theories, we have to take this as one with a burden of expenses. My idea of a baseline is also an AO-10 or 13 type bird. Propulsion and getting a ride To the HEO orbit is very expensive. AMSAT, without having help from other interested parties, cannot possibly meet expenses on this. With a ride offer from one of the launch facilities, Satellite enthusiasts could possibly raise enough money to get this to happen. ITAR is not helping this AMSAT group bonding to give this a chance. Please let your wishes in this direction be known to any AMSAT people. I have been accused of having my own agenda for HEO birds. Remember, we cannot possibly afford this (unless a rich uncle leaves us a sizable amount) and this is why our officers want to stress the present usable LEO birds as our foreseeable future. Have faith and maybe the status of launches will change and all this will be a mute point. 73, Dee, NB2F

-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Tony Langdon Sent: Monday, February 21, 2011 4:51 PM To: Rocky Jones; wa4hfn@comcast.net; tjschuessler@verizon.net Cc: Amsat BB Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Considerate satellite operations behavior.

At 04:11 AM 2/22/2011, Rocky Jones wrote:

My argument with AMSAT and others is that the organization should be leading by pushing more linear devices AND birds with larger footprints. Where I think things got off track badly was with the notion of AO-40...the theory that we had to build a satellite that people could work "worldwide" with not much antenna and other equipment. Oscar 10 and 13 (along with Arsene) in my view is about the baseline satellite that AMSAT should be building and trying to lead the satellite movement. As long as "baseline" satellite access is a handitalkie with a long whip...we are not going to see much different in my view nor should we expect it

Linear birds are a good idea, and the idea of creating an "off the shelf" transponder package that university groups can install into their projects has been discussed here before, to help that end. larger footprints would be nice (and extremely useful in this part of the world), but the trick there is getting the launch opportunities at an affordable price, since it seems most affordable launch opportunities are to LEO. You can only place your bird where the ride takes you, unless you add propulsion, which means extra weight and complexity (meaning more cost, fewer launch opportunities and higher risk of failure, and most likely fewer birds).

One of these days, I'll have a crack at the linear birds we have. I have the gear, just have to get around to using it! :)

73 de VK3JED / VK3IRL http://vkradio.com

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