a different slant-not wanting to enter the fm vs linear ongoing debate or the "easy sat" concept-I started satellites not because it was easy, but because it was hard, and at times still is! This was back in the days of the RS satellites. I believe if you present the challenge they will come. Unfortunately we need the money upfront not after the fact. Perhaps this "incremental" effort toward HEO or MEO is required, however we (AMSAT's) have been doing this for a long time and I think should have had our "ducks lined up" by now. We're a bunch of cleaver people and should develop a method getting the necessary funds for launches. Everything is now "bottom line" driven. We should "just do it". 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle
----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Stoetzer" <n...@arrl.net> To: "Phil Karn" <k...@ka9q.net> Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Saturday, July 19, 2014 12:28:12 PM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] ANS-199 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin - AMSAT Fox-1C Launch Opportunity Announced Are FM repeater satellites what we all want in orbit? No. Personally, I'd like a Mode J linear transponder in a sun synchronous circular orbit of about 2,000km (if we can't get anything to HEO). However, the Fox-1A, Fox-1B, Fox-1C, and Fox-1D satellites will eventually lead to the Fox-2 series of satellites. The software designed transponders on board the Fox-2 series will be capable of operating in any number of digital communications modes as well as operating as linear transponders. AO-51's V/U FM repeater was probably the most popular amateur satellite ever launched. Since the loss of AO-51, AMSAT-NA membership has been declining and is at the point where membership dues alone do not sustain the operating costs of the organization. Right now, those who are mildly interested in amateur satellites have one satellite to try with a minimal investment: SO-50, which is a satellite that for about half the days of each month is not convenient for most people who work 9-5 and sleep 10-6 and has a weak downlink that is often very difficult for newcomers to hear. Even experienced satellite operators are at times heard to transmit without being able to hear the satellite. With EO-80 (QB50p2), Fox-1A, and Fox-1C hopefully in orbit and operational next year, there will be three easily heard FM satellites (the 9 dB advantage of the 2m downlinks on these satellites will be quite welcome) - two in sun synchronous orbits with relatively consistent pass times. Having those satellites in orbit will mean that more hams get bitten by the satellite bug, join AMSAT, and progress to improving their stations to operate on the linear transponders and, potentially, on digital satellites. Bottom line - an AMSAT with more satellites in orbit means an AMSAT with more members and that's how we are eventually going to get our ideal satellites in orbit. 73, Paul, N8HM On Sat, Jul 19, 2014 at 2:54 PM, Phil Karn <k...@ka9q.net> wrote: > On 07/18/2014 12:08 PM, Joseph Spier wrote: > >> Fox-1C is the third of four Fox-1 series satellites under >> development, with Fox-1A and RadFXsat/Fox-1B launching through the >> NASA ELANA program. Fox-1C will carry an FM repeater system for >> amateur radio for use by radio hams and listeners worldwide. > > YET ANOTHER analog satellite? > > I'm not interested. > > _______________________________________________ > 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 _______________________________________________ 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 _______________________________________________ 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
