>Hi Gus, 8P6SM
>I agree with you ! >Unfortunately there is now a huge trend to build more and more of these shoe boxes (CubSat) to fly around earth. >I would not call them satellites, As a member of a cubesat team let me put in my $.02 1. At the University of Louisiana help the transition of students to engineers. 2. We fulfill the mandate of the FCC by training the next generation of engineers 3. We license about 10 students every year and expose ham radio to 20 more students 4. When these students go through the program they can build something and learn by doing In closing I believe the amateur community is well served by the shoe box designers. If we want amateur payloads we should do 1. Have off the shelf radios in their form factor that are very cheap 2. Be ready to mentors most school lack radio resources 3. Team up with schools that are developing propulsion systems ( our ride to HEO) Thanks nick ars k5qxj EM30xa 30.1 n 90.1 w cell 337 2582527 office 337 593 8700 _______________________________________________ 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