Look at what the FunCube guys did!
On 7/21/2014 5:00 PM, Gus wrote:
On 07/21/2014 01:00 PM, Phil Karn wrote:
> Next questions:
>
> Does a DirecTV receiving station cost $5K?
Actually, DirecTV is not available for purchase in my neck of the
woods. I can get a system installed, but it wouldn't be my system to
fiddle with.
> Are its components hard to source or esoteric?
Well, I know where I could nick one, but I'd rather not. Otherwise, I
guess I could source one overseas, ship it in, then bow down before
the Customs & Excise godlings..... ham gear is 10 + 17.5% but there's
no way they'd pass that as ham gear, so probably 115 + 17.5% or
worse. That might satisfy Rx needs, but wouldn't include a
transmitter.... Does that sound hard to source or esoteric?
> If not, what makes you think that a digital ground station for an
AMSAT satellite should be?
Phil, I'm not saying it /should/ be, but that if it is, you won't get
many users on the system. So, part of the system design for any such
bird had better include design of low cost, easy to find, simple to
use hardware that will allow me -- or any other doofus like me -- to
get QRV without too much hardship.
---
This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection
is active.
http://www.avast.com
_______________________________________________
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
