On Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 3:29 PM, Joseph Armbruster <josepharmbrus...@gmail.com> wrote: > Andrew, > Is there any type of document around that provides a brief summary of all > current Amsat projects and the type of funding / support that is needed for > each? > > This was my first time at the symposium and I haven't made it through all > the pamphlets and papers yet, so forgive me if this was part of the package. > > Joe >
Hi, if a gross estimate of $200,000 is needed for a stand-alone cubesat form mission, and there are "... about half are life-members..." of the 3,800 (re: Martha's estimate) of amsat-na members, that means that the average per capita support required from these active amsat-na members would be: $200,000 divided by (50% of 3800) = $200,000 / 1900 = $263 or so. If $263 is a difficult amount to pay up front, then think of it in 24 monthly installments: $10 each month - not bad for a hobby compared to the price of a decent lunch at Burger King, KFC, Subway etc. The one thing I would need to know is this extra donation tax-exempt or not and would we get a receipt for it in time for U.S. taxes ? I am willing to pay a bit more than that as my own donation soon for supporting AMSAT-NA sponsored R&D. -samudra > On Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 2:31 PM, Andrew Glasbrenner < > glasbren...@mindspring.com> wrote: > >> Thanks for the vote of confidence Jeff. I'll repeat what Bill said; this >> was a tough decision, but based on reality and part of a larger plan >> forward. We are also working multiple rideshare opportunities, most of >> which will likely involve transponders rather than repeaters. >> >> What we really need now is to raise the money we need to start design >> and construction, and get a launch contract in the works. The 1U cubesat >> is going to be a short fuse project if we can get the funding raised >> soon enough. >> >> Barry's presentation at the annual meeting lays out the level of funds >> we need, approximately 100k this year and again next year, to support >> the 1U, and one or more rideshares. Our membership dues only cover >> keeping AMSAT alive and running the office, journal, webstore, etc. >> >> Who'll be among the first to step up and pledge to support this project >> via the President's Club or other donations? Call Martha today at 1 888 >> 322 6728 or donate via >> http://www.amsat-na.com/store/category.php?c=President%27s%20Club >> >> 73, Drew KO4MA >> >> >> >> Jeff Davis wrote: >> > I want to offer 'hearty congratulations' to the BOD for the courageous >> > decisions made at the recent Space Symposium. I can think of no >> > headline more appropriate and welcome for this organization than the >> > declaration, "We're going back to space". >> > >> > Perhaps this decision to move forward with what we can do will also be >> > what was needed to get the manufacturers to quit sitting on their >> > hands and INNOVATE! >> > >> > How many threads have been spawned on this BB by someone asking the >> > question "what handheld should I buy to use AO-51"..? >> > >> > The fact that the pat answer is that there aren't any - you need to >> > check eBay for a 20 year-old model speaks pitifully of the ham radio >> > marketplace in the 21st century. >> > >> > Given the nature of LEO, portable operations are very common and going >> > forward, will be even more so. Who among us wouldn't love a mobile >> > sized transceiver that sported true simultaneous dual-band (VHF/UHF) >> > operation and a continuously tunable VFO on FM in a 'satellite >> > operation mode'? >> > >> > What would it be worth if that radio also could record all pass data - >> > and had a USB port that supported a memory stick so that everything >> > received during a pass could stored on it for offline extraction and >> > study later when you're back in the shack. It wouldn't even require an >> > internal TNC to download telemetry data - the audio file could simply >> > be played back (offline) on a PC and the telemetry decoded there. >> > >> > There are bound to be hundreds of similar ideas and dreams of new >> > gear, antennas, and interesting things to do at LEO - let's populate >> > the BB with these sorts of things and look forward, not back. >> > >> > I'm more than ready to turn to a new chapter and get back to shaping >> > the future of ham radio in space. >> > >> > Aren't you? >> > >> > 73 de Jeff, KE9V >> > AMSAT-NA 28350 >> > _______________________________________________ >> > 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 >> > _______________________________________________ > 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