Luc, Thank you for providing your thoughts. Maybe someone who is more knowledgeable than I can chime in with information about what it will take to have P3E fully ready for launch, and also what the current estimates for launch cost are. My sense is that the cost will run into the millions of U..S. dollars, and as such will provide quite a daunting fundraising task for anyone - anywhere - given the world's current economic climate.
As someone who has been out of work for almost 10 months - with no valid job prospects on the horizon despite an ongoing national search for employment - I believe AMSAT-NA faces a significant challenge just to raise the money necessary for the two near-term projects. And together, they amount to a fraction of the cost necessary to launch P3E. I don't share your view that one large project is the best solution. I also don't share your view of satellite operation using a handheld or otherwise portable station, which is less than positive. Again, I mean no disrespect - but I find very little challenge and even less satisfaction in making a satellite contact running 50-100 watts into a pair of long, multi-element yagis being controlled for az/el by computers - and using a radio being computer controlled for Doppler. Of course, many more satellite operators share views closer to yours than mine - or, at least, it seems that way. Thank you again for your response. I appreciate it very much. 73, Tim - N3TL ________________________________ From: Luc Leblanc <luclebla...@videotron.ca> To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Cc: eu-am...@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 12:18:22 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT Symposium News Posted to the Web On 13 Oct 2009 at 18:42, Tim - N3TL wrote: Date sent: Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:42:15 -0700 (PDT) From: Tim - N3TL <n...@bellsouth.net> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT Symposium News Posted to the Web To: Luc Leblanc <luclebla...@videotron.ca>, amsat-bb@amsat.org Copies to: eu-am...@yahoogroups.com > Hello Luc, > > I have some questions. > > 1- What is the logical direction, in your opinion? Helping our German's friends launching P3E > 2 - How much would that direction cost, in your opinion? A lot of $$$ who should better invest in achieving P3E rather than sending another FM single channel LEO repeater cube > 3 - How would you propose paying for that direction? > I never see a clear financial and funding projected structure in years since AO-40. On any project when the goals are set and the money target is clearly establish the hard part will be to regroup all the international AMSAT'S and all the potential funding sources: government, spaces agencies, universities, amateur radio association eg: ARRL, RAC, RSGB ect (Some of them already contribute to P3E) The funding solution will go by an international funding campaign and by a fixed minimal contribution per amateur who want's to have an HEO. I am member of a local marina and each new member should pay a one time Dredging Fee of 250$. The marina is open here from May 15 to October 4 about 5 months. I can used a satellite 12 months am i willing to pay 250$ a year YES and could be more if a sound international structure with well defined planning and objectives can demonstrate a serious will towards the next HEO. There is already a lot of dedicated peoples around the amateurs radio satellite business who are only making their own small things in their small backyard. Why not regrouping their energies and money towards "ONLY ONE SINGLE" big project? In the amateur satellite world we called that a HEO satellite as AO-40 and as AO-07 AO-10 AO-13 generation who where the first steps towards AO-40. Just to be clear my opinion is not against the collective effort and people works but against some of the objectives they carry. Volunteers motivation should be the best interest of all not the few. Feel free to come back this is a very wide subject of discussion with many possible outcome. 73 Tim "-" Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe DSTAR urcall VE2DWE WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE _______________________________________________ Sent via amsat...@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 _______________________________________________ Sent via amsat...@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
