Hi Daniel, Thanks for that link of the interview with with Radio Amateur Mike Outmesguine KG6NHH, I'd only just seen the text report, which is at
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8318156.stm 73 Trevor M5AKA --- On Tue, 27/10/09, Daniel Schultz <n8...@usa.net> wrote: > From: Daniel Schultz <n8...@usa.net> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Portable satellite terminals for disaster relief > To: amsat-bb@amsat.org > Date: Tuesday, 27 October, 2009, 8:14 > I came across this program on the > BBC, rebroadcast late Sunday night in > Washington DC on WAMU FM: > > Digital Planet, October 20, 2009 > http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p004l2hz > > This organization, NetHope (http://www.nethope.org), has developed a small > $3000 portable satellite terminal for quick deployment to > disaster areas, > providing voice and internet service through a commercial > geosynchronous > satellite. They are called "Network Relief Kits". Amsat can > pretty well forget > about attracting funding for a geosynchronous amateur > satellite supporting > emergency communications when the capability already > exists. > > It would seem that the only remaining justification for > amateur radio in > today's world is for the education and self training > aspects. I don't know if > "self training" as defined in part 97 carries any weight in > today's world. > There was a time when most engineers started out as hams in > their early youth, > but today only formal school based education carries any > weight with employers > and funding agencies. What this will mean for Amsat's > ability to launch any > future satellites that are larger than a Cubesat and in a > higher orbit remains > to be seen. Where does Amsat fit in with NetHope and the > other non > governmental organisations of the world? > > Dan Schultz N8FGV > > > > ---------------------------------- > >From the BBC web site: > > NETWORK RELIEF KITS > Network Relief Kits have been designed to provide immediate > internet access in > remote areas. It is a small portable kit that fits into a > back-pack, and has > provided a vital aid to workers who set out to help people > after disasters. > The engineer and journalist, Mike Outmesguine, explains how > to build an > internet relief kit. > > BILL BRINDLEY ON NetHope > Bill Brindley, the CEO of NetHope, joins Digital Planet to > discuss how his > organisation developed the Network Relief Kit. Mr Brindley > explains the > importance of collaboration between non governmental > organisations and other > big business to further develop tools that will help in the > restoration of > connectivity to areas that have suffered natural > disasters. > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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
