Orbital Classroom -Where is it?????????
Hi folks,
Having read through many, many emails about Eagle, GEO's and other stuff I would like to introduce an idea that has captured me for a few years (!) now and has never come up. We all agree (I assume) that amateur radio and satellites is a great combination and fun. I assume most of us love it and those that don't at least make a living from it otherwise they wouldn't do it. In addition, the big majority of us have some grey hairs, but we are still trying to learn and challenge our brains (scary thought). Having said that, when I came back from the AMSAT annual meeting (symposium) this year I felt we missed a great opportunity and to be more specific we have absolute nothing in place to teach and educate our members and the community. Yes, we go to hamfests and events and have a pretty PowerPoint or in the "parking lot" demo, but where are the courses, the classes that help us better understand for example the orbital mechanics of a satellites, the satellite communication principles for VHF and UHF, the design of L and S band antennas? All the stuff that goes beyond our basic license and would keep us learning????
I look at the ARRL and see many exciting courses and AMSAT has nothing in place. Some of the material has been written up and I applaud Gould Smith and others that took the time to write these documents.
The problem is that they are books! No interaction, no feedback, etc. I believe we can do so much more.
Why don't we have pre-conference courses at AMSAT meetings that allow our participants to learn? Why don't we offer certificates for continuing education based on accomplishments in learning and become much more educated? Where is the course on emergency preparedness and satellites (GEOs anyone). How do I interpret two line Keppler data and what will happen if I modify some of those numbers (ANDE re-entry anyone)? How about a basic course in SRD or building small beautiful satellites and lessons learned (Bob Bruninga's ideas). All this would add value, probably generate some resources for AMSAT (course fees) and make us proud of learning and sharing knowledge and not just opinions. For example, I would have no problem adding $ 30 -50 to my registration fee for the AMSAT symposium and having a full day workshop. Everyone else is doing it and all the conferences I go to.
No, I am not talking about amateur satellite 101 for newcomers (that still is important), I am talking about "meat" for those that are part of the hobby already and want to move to the next level of knowledge. We have thousands of members and our pool of potential instructors is big. I would highly encourage the board to seriously look at this. I know that Rick Hambly is fully committed to make the education a bigger part of AMSAT and we need to support him. I for one have no problem in teaching and volunteering for a course at the next AMSAT meeting but it would be very nice if you share your thoughts about this. Maybe it is just me and everyone else is fine but maybe the next "Orbital Classroom" is finally that, a classroom and not just a two page paper in the journal!
Have a great Christmas and Holiday Season and many contacts in 2008.
Stefan, Well AMSAT does have a director of Education but unfortunately I don't see too much happening. I fully support your Idea, and in time past there was so many good papers at the symposium on the (then being built) Satellites that they were a complete technical education program. I recall the various members of the AO-40 team explaining about every system being designed and the problems encountered and the solutions, etc Similarly the means of heat dissipation (AO-40) and stabilization of the spacecraft (A0-40 & Microsats). So much good stuff that it made our heads spin! One came away from the Meetings with determination to see the projects completed even if it meant "Empty Pockets!" I would like to hope that through your initiative we could return to those days..... This is not to take anything away from Eagle or P4 but to supplement those programs. 73 Robin Haighton VE3FRH Past President AMSAT
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Stefan Wagener Sent: December 20, 2007 11:19 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Orbital Classroom -Where is it?????????
Hi folks,
Having read through many, many emails about Eagle, GEO's and other stuff I would like to introduce an idea that has captured me for a few years (!) now and has never come up. We all agree (I assume) that amateur radio and satellites is a great combination and fun. I assume most of us love it and those that don't at least make a living from it otherwise they wouldn't do it. In addition, the big majority of us have some grey hairs, but we are still trying to learn and challenge our brains (scary thought). Having said that, when I came back from the AMSAT annual meeting (symposium) this year I felt we missed a great opportunity and to be more specific we have absolute nothing in place to teach and educate our members and the community. Yes, we go to hamfests and events and have a pretty PowerPoint or in the "parking lot" demo, but where are the courses, the classes that help us better understand for example the orbital mechanics of a satellites, the satellite communication principles for VHF and UHF, the design of L and S band antennas? All the stuff that goes beyond our basic license and would keep us learning????
I look at the ARRL and see many exciting courses and AMSAT has nothing in place. Some of the material has been written up and I applaud Gould Smith and others that took the time to write these documents.
The problem is that they are books! No interaction, no feedback, etc. I believe we can do so much more.
Why don't we have pre-conference courses at AMSAT meetings that allow our participants to learn? Why don't we offer certificates for continuing education based on accomplishments in learning and become much more educated? Where is the course on emergency preparedness and satellites (GEOs anyone). How do I interpret two line Keppler data and what will happen if I modify some of those numbers (ANDE re-entry anyone)? How about a basic course in SRD or building small beautiful satellites and lessons learned (Bob Bruninga's ideas). All this would add value, probably generate some resources for AMSAT (course fees) and make us proud of learning and sharing knowledge and not just opinions. For example, I would have no problem adding $ 30 -50 to my registration fee for the AMSAT symposium and having a full day workshop. Everyone else is doing it and all the conferences I go to.
No, I am not talking about amateur satellite 101 for newcomers (that still is important), I am talking about "meat" for those that are part of the hobby already and want to move to the next level of knowledge. We have thousands of members and our pool of potential instructors is big. I would highly encourage the board to seriously look at this. I know that Rick Hambly is fully committed to make the education a bigger part of AMSAT and we need to support him. I for one have no problem in teaching and volunteering for a course at the next AMSAT meeting but it would be very nice if you share your thoughts about this. Maybe it is just me and everyone else is fine but maybe the next "Orbital Classroom" is finally that, a classroom and not just a two page paper in the journal!
Have a great Christmas and Holiday Season and many contacts in 2008.
_______________________________________________ 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
Hi Robin,
I couldn't agree more. The "paucity" of information coming out of the present AMSAT-NA "administration" is something I just quit complaining about. NothIng ever changes.
The technical experts "Bob McGwier" and all, present some wonderful information.
All the other "leaders" do nothing but ask for money, as though that was our only goal!!
Of course it takes dollars, we should to be reminded to donate, but we SHOULD ALSO BE KEPT INFORMED OF WHERE THOSE DOLLARS ARE GOING!!
Well AMSAT does have a director of Education but unfortunately I don't see too much happening. I fully support your Idea, and in time past there was so many good papers at the symposium on the (then being built) Satellites that they were a complete technical education program. I recall the various members of the AO-40 team explaining about every system being designed and the problems encountered and the solutions, etc Similarly the means of heat dissipation (AO-40) and stabilization of the spacecraft (A0-40 & Microsats). So much good stuff that it made our heads spin! One came away from the Meetings with determination to see the projects completed even if it meant "Empty Pockets!" I would like to hope that through your initiative we could return to those days..... This is not to take anything away from Eagle or P4 but to supplement those programs. go to hamfests and events and have a pretty PowerPoint or in the "parking
73, Dave, WB6LLO dguimon1@san.rr.com
Disagree: I learn....
Pulling for P3E...
Hi Dave, It took 10 years to raise the funds for AO-40, and that involved a great deal of publicity as well as keeping people informed, It seems to me that the one thing we are missing now is regular information sessions, these combined with the requests for funding will help keep AMSAT alive and help to Pay for the satellites. While we hope for major funding from other sources, that may (or may not) materialize, we will still require substantial input from the membership. That input will only come (from people like me) if we are kept informed (on a regular Basis - Monthly?) Bob McGuire is quite right when he states that it is unlikely that major donors can be found to pay for our Hobby satellites ( pardon my paraphrase!).My donation to the President's Club has been held up this year pending better communications. 73 Robin VE3FRH Past President and founder of the Presidents Club
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Dave Guimont Sent: December 21, 2007 4:01 PM To: R.Haighton Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Orbital Classroom -Where is it?????????
Hi Robin,
I couldn't agree more. The "paucity" of information coming out of the present AMSAT-NA "administration" is something I just quit complaining about. NothIng ever changes.
The technical experts "Bob McGwier" and all, present some wonderful information.
All the other "leaders" do nothing but ask for money, as though that was our only goal!!
Of course it takes dollars, we should to be reminded to donate, but we SHOULD ALSO BE KEPT INFORMED OF WHERE THOSE DOLLARS ARE GOING!!
Well AMSAT does have a director of Education but unfortunately I don't see too much happening. I fully support your Idea, and in time past there was so many good papers
at
the symposium on the (then being built) Satellites that they were a complete technical education program. I recall the various members of the AO-40 team explaining about every system being designed and the problems encountered and the solutions, etc Similarly the means of heat dissipation (AO-40) and stabilization of the spacecraft (A0-40 & Microsats). So much good stuff that it made our heads spin! One came away from the Meetings with determination to see the projects completed even if it meant "Empty Pockets!" I would like to hope that through your initiative we could return to those days..... This is not to take anything away from Eagle or P4 but to supplement those programs. go to hamfests and events and have a pretty PowerPoint or in the "parking
73, Dave, WB6LLO dguimon1@san.rr.com
Disagree: I learn....
Pulling for P3E...
_______________________________________________ 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
While we hope for major funding from other
sources, that may (or may not) materialize, we will still require substantial input from the membership. That input will only come (from people like me) if we are kept informed (on a regular Basis - Monthly?) Bob McGuire is quite right when he states that it is unlikely that major donors can be found to pay for our Hobby satellites ( pardon my paraphrase!).My donation to the President's Club has been held up this year pending better communications.
My pittance will not be forthcoming either, until we get some sort of a change...
I don't know how we took the "dive" that we did, but a lot of other members I talk to voice the same thing to me...
I ask them to put it publicly on here like I do. I do a have a vote...
I get belted for it, but I sincerely hope my criticism doesn't further degenerate things, but that the "powers that be" take a better road...
73, Dave, WB6LLO dguimon1@san.rr.com
Disagree: I learn....
Pulling for P3E...
participants (3)
-
Dave Guimont -
R.Haighton -
Stefan Wagener