Nicely DONE Phil ! That's what I'm talking about :)
May I second Dale's motion on the Kudos to Phil ============================================================================= Message: 13 Date: Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:32:47 -0800 From: Dale Hershberger <da...@alaska.net<mailto:da...@alaska.net>> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: a little perspective To: amsat-bb@amsat.org<mailto:amsat-bb@amsat.org> Message-ID: <4e3b564f.6090...@alaska.net<mailto:4e3b564f.6090...@alaska.net>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed On 8/4/2011 6:13 PM, Phil Karn wrote: > On 8/3/11 8:21 PM, Jim Jerzycke wrote: > >> At least AO-40 had a usable life for some. This thing is just another >> squawk box in space, like all the "student" satellites that are using >> the Amateur Radio frequencies for a free downlink. > Jim, > > With the successful transponder tests it would seem that you spoke too > soon. Besides, I really like lemonade. > > As far as I'm concerned, educational satellites carrying student > scientific experiments are a perfectly legitimate use of the amateur > spectrum as long as licensed amateurs are centrally involved and the > experimental data is in the clear and publicly documented. > > I certainly have no objection to two-way transponders for open ham use. > I'm as delighted as anyone that the ARISSat-1 transponder seems to be > working well despite its damaged 70cm antenna. > > But AMSAT has been flying linear transponders for over 40 years now, and > you have to admit they're pretty old hat. When I became a ham in 1971, > just hearing a satellite direct from space was pretty interesting. > Actually talking through one was totally beyond cool. You just can't > expect today's kids to feel that way when they already use the Internet, > mobile phones, GPS, Sirius/XM and DirecTV every day. > > Ham radio can't possibly survive as a mere communications medium. We > must emphasize all its other uses, some of which are still unique. > > At the top of that list is *EDUCATION*. Ham radio remains the only way > for ordinary individuals to learn radio technology hands-on. If you just > want to talk to people, mobile phones are great. But just try taking one > apart to see how it works! > > Ordinary individuals can also advance radio technology through ham > radio. And they can use it for other technical and scientific > investigations. Although mobile phones and the Internet now provide > inexpensive, near-ubiquitous communications between any two points on > earth, they still don't go everywhere. Like near outer space, which ham > radio reaches easily. > > So using a ham satellite just to link points on the earth that could > communicate much more easily over the Internet doesn't interest me as > much as using ham radio to communicate with the satellite itself. And > satellites have much to "talk" about: camera images, information about > the satellite itself (i.e., telemetry), scientific data from experiments > and human-human communications from any astronauts or cosmonauts on > board. Instead of trying to compete with the Internet, it can complement > our radio links (e.g., KA2UPW's telemetry repository). This is > especially handy for satellites in low orbits with short passes over any > one location. > > Amateur satellites can be so much more than simple transponders; in > fact, they'll have to be. And I think that's a good trend. > > --Phil > > > > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org<mailto: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 > Well put Phil! I concur !! Dale/KL7XJ --... ...-- Jack Buckley Callsign: W1AKN Locator: FN41mv - Cape Cod <;))))>< E-Mail: w1...@arrl.net<blocked::mailto:w1...@arrl.net> The information in this e-mail is intended only for the person to whom it is addressed. If you believe this e-mail was sent to you in error and the e-mail contains patient information, please contact the Partners Compliance HelpLine at http://www.partners.org/complianceline . If the e-mail was sent to you in error but does not contain patient information, please contact the sender and properly dispose of the e-mail. _______________________________________________ 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
