On 07/21/2014 06:34 PM, Jim Sanford wrote:
Look at what the FunCube guys did!

Absolutely.  Which is why I said in my initial post on this subject:

>> ...any new, digital satellite will have to be developed in parallel with readily available >> ground station modules (Funcube Dongle Deluxe?) that provide the 'average' ham
>> a path to participation.

Specifically referencing the FCD as an example. The proposal for Phil's 10GHz digital sat would best to include a suitable 10GHz module for ground station use.


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.



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--
Gus 8P6SM
The Easternmost Isle

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