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CX2SA > SATDIG 08.02.09 19:42l 882 Lines 32035 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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From: CX2SA@CX2SA.LAV.URY.SA
To : SATDIG@WW
Today's Topics:
1. Re: The future of AMSAT is NOW . . . (Tim Goodrich)
2. Re: The future of AMSAT is NOW . . . (Jack K.)
3. HEO and future of AMSAT (Greg Wycoff)
4. HEO sat (Howie DeFelice)
5. Re: HEO naivete (John B. Stephensen)
6. Pilton School ARISS Contact - Friday 6th February 2009
(Ciaran Morgan)
7. Re: Pilton School ARISS Contact - Friday 6th February 2009
(Fabiano Moser - PY5RX)
8. NO-44 (Dirgantara YF?EEE)
9. thathamkid.com (Alan Sieg WB5RMG)
10. a little different mode of sat tracking (Alan Sieg WB5RMG)
11. Re: NO-44 (Bob Bruninga )
12. Re: The future of AMSAT is NOW . . . (Bob Bruninga )
13. Re: Pilton School ARISS Contact - Friday 6th February 2009
(Dave Aitch)
14. How About This? (Joe)
15. Re: The future of AMSAT is NOW . . . (Edward Cole)
16. Re: How About This? (Dave)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Sat, 7 Feb 2009 19:53:12 -0800
From: "Tim Goodrich" <tim@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: The future of AMSAT is NOW . . .
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <02c801c989a0$c4a65ea0$4df31be0$@xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
I couldn't have said it better myself!
Tim
KI6VBY
-----Original Message-----
From: Alan Sieg WB5RMG [mailto:wb5rmg@xxxxxxx.xxxx
Sent: Saturday, February 07, 2009 2:01 PM
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] The future of AMSAT is NOW . . .
Topic Was :HEO naivete
Michael said:
> I usually tend to keep quiet during arguements such as this . . .
But - this is not an argument .?. Hardly even a debate on specific points.
What is happening here is genuine concern for our future, and well founded.
Not only is AMSAT and ham radio facing uncertain times, the entire fabric
of modern culture seems wobbling around like it may ALL come tumbling down.
Stimulus, bailouts, layoffs, foreclosures - everything is connected to most
everything else - always has been, always will be. So much of all this
churn has been brewing for years, but no one really wanted to acknowlege,
or take the gumption to creatively start solving the problems.
Now we have to. None of us are ready to just lay down and say "I quit".
But - the bright side is that humanity solves its' toughest problems when
times get hardest. That can work to our advantage, not only for AMSAT,
but for everything else that is connected to all this 'other stuff'.
The early hamsats got built and launched because a handful of hams had
a blistering passion, and didn't stop until they had accomplished what
had been previously un-done. At the time I think a popular 2m rig was
the ol 'Benton Harbor LunchBox'. The biggest thing I see missing today
is this 'blistering passion' - not just in AMSAT, not just ham radio, but
most everything that the masses do. The general public has been so numbed
by 500 channels of nothing on TV, fast food on every corner, convenience
in every WalMard - no one gets excited about 'stuff' anymore. It is easy
(for me at least) to spot those who have some passion. They get stuff done,
they promote worthwhile things, they teach and encourage others, etc, etc...
I recognize many many folks on AMSAT-BB that exhibit passion - Great !!!
I've always felt that the AMSAT community is one of the most passionate
groups I've ever worked with. Unfortunately, victims of our own success,
we now find a lot of folks who have gotten on the satellite bandwagon
because it IS fun, and it HAS ignited some long lost passion - but not
enough of these folks recognize the need to support the effort, not only
with money - but with volunteer talent and recruitment. I really like Tim's
challenge to rapidly ramp-up our membership. Talk it up ! Get em joined-up !
This IS actually rocket-science, and is hardly an arm-chair sport yet.
This IS still a bleeding-edge of technology, and we need a few more folks
willing to take an arrow or two 'for the team' ...
Not that we should have to pay-as-you-go, but I'd suspect that each of us
knows at least one satellite operator that has never paid a red cent, or
contributed anything towards this incredibly fascinating, outrageously
expensive, blatently addicting passion of operating with satellites.
(Well, unless you include the purchase price of some personal radio gear.)
In years past I shelled out plenty of cash, and had sweat equity in big
antenna arrays, and I do miss them. But I'm looking forward to learning
more about S-band, and X-band, and beyond if necessary - by building some
Tx/Rx converters to front-end existing equipment. Just like long ago
when I learned so much by building some Tx/Rx converters to work 2m with
my FT-101... the future is coming - again - still . . .
And these tiny antennas are so much easier to build and aim - wow.
As usual, I had not intended to go off on such a rant, but sometimes my
passion boils over, and quite often it becomes infectious, and someone
else picks up on that passion, and passes it on. We need more collective
passion - as THAT is what drives these discussions, fleshes out
alternatives,
gets through the chaff and cuts into the kernel. By participating in these
discussions, WE are helping drive the future of AMSAT, and in the same
sense - ALL of ham radio. Who knows - maybe the future of all humanity !
73 for now, and Thanks for listening ... /;^)
--
<- Licensed in 1976, WB5RMG = Alan Sieg * AMSAT#20554 ->
<- http://www.somenet.net * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net ->
<- http://www.linkedin.com/in/alansieg * My 'Day Job' ->
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Sat, 7 Feb 2009 21:46:36 -0700
From: "Jack K." <kd1pe.1@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: The future of AMSAT is NOW . . .
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <D8C842D0204E42C38AB19C5A66E3A3D9@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
> Michael said:
>> I usually tend to keep quiet during arguements such as this . . .
>
> But - this is not an argument .?. Hardly even a debate on specific
> points.
>
> What is happening here is genuine concern for our future, and well
> founded.
> Not only is AMSAT and ham radio facing uncertain times, the entire fabric
> of modern culture seems wobbling around like it may ALL come tumbling
> down.
> Stimulus, bailouts, layoffs, foreclosures - everything is connected to
> most
> everything else - always has been, always will be. So much of all this
> churn has been brewing for years, but no one really wanted to acknowlege,
> or take the gumption to creatively start solving the problems.
I am sorry that my original input to this BB has engendered this expanded
and extensive defense of LEO's and/or explanation of why there are no HEO's
today... I have read of people expounding on when they were licensed, big
deal I have been licensed for longer than most of you going back to 1964...
I have read of how great things are and we should be thankful for what we
have. I have also received a couple private emails suggesting my original
comments were out of line. Well this sort of elitist thinking is pure bull,
The sats are not for the select few who think they own them, the sats are
not for controllers who seem to take an inordinate amount of time to turn
them over to the ham community for general use. They are simply a device in
the ham community for use by those who have the means to do so. Perhaps
putting up a HEO on Microwave frequencies is a good idea, certainly it would
spur the manufacturers to come up with equipment for all to use, after all
you are only dollars away... What I am sorry to see is the lack of concern
or is it the lack of desire to put up a HEO that works (Read the Wikipedia
story on AO-40) something simple, something robust, something with not a
single whistle or bell that WORKS!!!... It seems to me that the real story
is that AMSAT is gun-shy after AO-40 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AO-40)
and is taking the easy or safe way out... My money is not on and never will
be on LEO's or Sats that the common person can not make the antennas for and
purchase the radios to use...
As I said I apologize for the defense mechanism that sprung to AMSATS
defense and the private emails I received, I thought this was an open BB and
ideas were freely discussed. Apparently I was wrong.
DE KD1PE
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Sat, 07 Feb 2009 06:32:07 -0800
From: Greg Wycoff <gregwycoff@xx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] HEO and future of AMSAT
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <77181523381107686411118602455273764914-Webmail@xx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
HEO, the question is not can we do it, the question is how do we get there,
and are we willing to do what it takes to get there?
first of all, all AMSAT organization's must focus on one project and one
project only, that way you have all of your top builders and designers working
on the same project, and most importantly is the fund raising, funds can grow
more rapidly as one project.
I personally believe you must build the satellite first before you go looking
for a ride. that way you don't get bumped from a ride if you don't have the
satellite completed, and then it becomes more difficult for the next available
ride.
Its time "AMSAT" becomes one, not one of many AMSATs, as you look at business
in todays world many are merging together as one just to survive, all AMSATs
must do the same, and the ones who don't want to come together as one, must
drop the "AMSAT" title.
Has AMSAT-NA given any thought to donating the money they have raised for
project eagle to AMSAT-DL to help with the launch cost of their HEO that seems
to be already built and waiting for a ride?
Greg N0ZHE
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Sat, 7 Feb 2009 11:12:17 -0500
From: Howie DeFelice <howied231@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] HEO sat
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <BAY142-W16707E471C8FB098E275E6E7BE0@xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"
I think anyone who has ever worked or even just listened to one of the HEO
birds really miss them. However, I agree that the notion we will be able to
get another VHF/UHF HEO is unlikely and probably just not a good idea anymore.
I don't buy the notion that the microwave bands are a restriction, actually, I
think it's just the opposite. When AO-40 was launched how many people had S-
band receiving equipment? I bet not that many. When it became apparent that
was going to be the band of choice the ham community got together and came up
with solutions for both "builders" and "buyers". After a short period of time
the AO-40 downlink sounded like 40 meters with all the stations online. The
notion that ther is no equipment for 3.4/5.6 Ghz is also not exactly true.
Yes, not from Kenwood/Yeasu/Icom, but E-bay is littered with C-band LNB's that
will downconvert 3.4 Ghz. to L-band. It would be pretty simple to convert that
to UHF for the rigs we already have. The same goes for the tran!
smit side. the 5.6 Ghz. uplink is very close to the commerical 5.8 Ghz.
uplink and I would be very surprised if a relatively simple mod could not geet
some low power C-band BUC's retuned to there.
I also don't subscribe to the notion that LEO birds are the main attraction to
newcomers. I think most people find that haveing a satellite visible for hours
makes it much easier to figure out what is going on and develop the required
skills to work the satellite, which in my opinion are less stringent than
trackin a fast moving object acroos the sky while compensating doppler and
fighting the 20 other people on the channel. I think we are all in agreement
that the chance to launch our own HEO is not looking good at the moment. The
best chance we have is to piggyback onto a commercial GEO. That is going to
take a concentrated effort and this is where my frustration comes in. We were
told about an MOU with Intelsat but none of the details. Are they proprietary
(I'm sure they are)? Even so, they should be made available to members upon
execution of a non-dislcosure agreement. If we want to get a payload hosted on
a commercial sat it has to have minimum impact on the satellite !
weight and power and should offer some benefit to the hosting company, such
as proving new technology, public relations or even writing off a portion of
the satellite capacity as a donation. In order to accomplish this, we need to
have joint effort between the "marketing" savy members that can sell the idea
to Intelsat (and possibly others) and the "tech" savvy members that can
develop the hardware to fit the opportunity. As an organization, we need to
adapt to our environment or die. Instead of lamenting the fact of what we
don't have, let's move the discussion toward what we DO have and how can we
pull that together to get what we want. I'll even start...
1. What can the BOD tell the membership in a public forum about the MOU with
Intelsat concerning the requirements for a hosted payload?
2. A lot of work was started on the ACP project and was written up in the
Journal, can we put together a "labsat" to take to hamfests and more
importantly, prospective satellite operators to show what we are doing? How
can the membership help?
3. During AO-40's lifetime, a lot of good information was passed on the BB
about getting on 2.4Ghz. Can we start doing the same thing with C-band
(3.4/5.6). As a start, maybe people can start reporting when they find C-band
LNB's and feeds being sold especially in quantity.
4. For the more marketing savvy, how do we answer the question "Why should I
use some of my valuable satellite assets to support AMSAT?"
If we all picked just one of the above 4 topics and acted on it, we would
generate more progress toward a HEO opprtunity than any of the discussion so
far. Ok..time for someone elses rant ..de Howie, AB2S
_________________________________________________________________
Windows Live?: E-mail. Chat. Share. Get more ways to connect.
http://windowslive.com/explore?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_t2_allup_explore_022009
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2009 07:52:46 -0000
From: "John B. Stephensen" <kd6ozh@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: HEO naivete
To: "Andrew Koenig" <ke5gdb@xxxxx.xxx>, "Amsat BB"
<amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <3CCA4C3D82B54095B1BCC9A914566FB3@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
Look at cell phones and wireless LANs to see what microwave equipment can
cost.
73,
John
KD6OZH
----- Original Message -----
From: "Andrew Koenig" <ke5gdb@xxxxx.xxx>
To: "Amsat BB" <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2009 03:01 UTC
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: HEO naivete
> Microwave sounds really expensive. That's probably my lack of knowledge,
> but
> down converters, up converters and all of this other equipment that it
> would
> take to get on a satellite just seems like it might be too much for me.
>
> I always use the criteria "Can a 15 year old afford it?" :-)
>
> 73 de KE5GDB (the 15 year old Satellite operator)
>
>
> --
> Andrew Koenig
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. 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
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2009 10:26:14 -0000
From: "Ciaran Morgan" <ciaran@xxxxxxxxxxx.xx.xx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Pilton School ARISS Contact - Friday 6th February
2009
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <003c01c989d7$abe81f20$03b85d60$@xx.xx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Folks,
Despite the UK being in the grip of the worst snow for nearly 20 years, the
UK ARISS team of Carlos Eavis G0AKI, Howard Long G6LVB and assisted by
Ciaran Morgan (M0XTD) helped pull of a stunning direct contact between
Sandra Magnus on board the ISS using callsign OR4ISS and Pilton The Bluecoat
Primary School in Barnstable, England (callsign G0NPV) on Friday 6th
February at 1452hrs UTC.
Contact was established right on time and the children at Pilton managed to
get all 20 questions asked with no difficulty. The replies from Sandra
where heard over most of Western Europe.
Videos of the contact can be found at
http://www.it-sparkles.co.uk/ARISS/pilton.aspx (single page with multiple
links for FLV (YouTube), MOV (Quicktime) and WMV (MS Windows devices)).
Howard Long has also produced some additional formats as follows
Sound - http://www.g6lvb.com/images/pilton.mp3 (1.1Mb)
Video WMV 320x240 - http://www.g6lvb.com/images/pilton.wmv (70Mb) Suitable
for a Windows Mobile device
Video MP4 480x320 - http://www.g6lvb.com/images/pilton.mp4 (70Mb) Suitable
for an iPhone
Video Flash 320x240 - http://www.g6lvb.com/images/pilton.flv (32Mb) YouTube
quality
Enjoy!
Regards
Ciaran Morgan
M0XTD
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2009 11:24:57 -0000
From: "Fabiano Moser - PY5RX" <fabianomoser@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Pilton School ARISS Contact - Friday 6th
February 2009
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <46E004B918844D4E8AB0D97030A654C3@xxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
Good video !
Very good ARISS School contact, congratulations, it was a big sucess.
I?m sure Sandy loved to hear the applause of students,
73
Fabiano Moser CT/PY5RX
ARISS-PORTUGAL (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station)
Representative at Teleconference and Portugal Telebridge Coordinator.
AMRAD/AMSAT-CT
http://www.amrad.pt/
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ciaran Morgan" <ciaran@xxxxxxxxxxx.xx.xx>
To: < >
Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2009 10:26 AM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Pilton School ARISS Contact - Friday 6th February 2009
> Folks,
>
>
>
> Despite the UK being in the grip of the worst snow for nearly 20 years,
> the
> UK ARISS team of Carlos Eavis G0AKI, Howard Long G6LVB and assisted by
> Ciaran Morgan (M0XTD) helped pull of a stunning direct contact between
> Sandra Magnus on board the ISS using callsign OR4ISS and Pilton The
> Bluecoat
> Primary School in Barnstable, England (callsign G0NPV) on Friday 6th
> February at 1452hrs UTC.
>
>
>
> Contact was established right on time and the children at Pilton managed
> to
> get all 20 questions asked with no difficulty. The replies from Sandra
> where heard over most of Western Europe.
>
>
>
> Videos of the contact can be found at
>
>
>
> http://www.it-sparkles.co.uk/ARISS/pilton.aspx (single page with multiple
> links for FLV (YouTube), MOV (Quicktime) and WMV (MS Windows devices)).
>
>
>
> Howard Long has also produced some additional formats as follows
>
>
>
> Sound - http://www.g6lvb.com/images/pilton.mp3 (1.1Mb)
>
>
>
> Video WMV 320x240 - http://www.g6lvb.com/images/pilton.wmv (70Mb) Suitable
> for a Windows Mobile device
>
>
>
> Video MP4 480x320 - http://www.g6lvb.com/images/pilton.mp4 (70Mb) Suitable
> for an iPhone
>
>
>
> Video Flash 320x240 - http://www.g6lvb.com/images/pilton.flv (32Mb)
> YouTube
> quality
>
>
>
>
>
> Enjoy!
>
>
>
> Regards
>
> Ciaran Morgan
>
> M0XTD
>
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. 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
------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2009 19:20:14 +0700
From: Dirgantara YF?EEE <enggi1401@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] NO-44
To: "Amsat BB" <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <004901c989e7$ab5efeb0$50a83a72@xxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
hi Bob WB4APR
just checking in website NO-44 use KPC9612, it that any modification in
KPC9612 ? space requirment request ?
or just KPC9612 standart put in Satelite ?
thanks
73 de YF0EEE
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2009 07:29:50 -0600 (CST)
From: "Alan Sieg WB5RMG" <wb5rmg@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] thathamkid.com
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <1443.192.168.121.31.1234099790.squirrel@xxx.xxx.xxx.xx>
Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1
Andrew, Congratulations on your successful 4 years of being 'hammy' !!
Congrats on your calendar and especially your satellite accomplishments.
That bike looks really sharp - I'm sure you are already working on plans
for your car... Over the years you will probably spend more on your car
than on radios - although you have a good collection started already.
> I always use the criteria "Can a 15 year old afford it?" :-)
I still use that criteria sometimes, but just as importantly you might
also ask "Can I afford to NOT do it?" ... I know money is powerful,
but the educational benefits towards your understanding of technology
will usually repay with interest at some point in the future.
Building a downconverter kit, or 'adjusting' an old CalAmp MMDS converter
will provide experience that can last a lifetime - and not break the bank.
Keep up the good work, listen towards the horizon - maybe we can catch a
mutual window on a satellite someday. Please feel free to visit my links
below, hopefully you will find some useful/helpful info there.
73 for now /;^)
--
<- Licensed in 1976, WB5RMG = Alan Sieg * AMSAT#20554 ->
<- http://www.somenet.net * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net ->
<- http://www.linkedin.com/in/alansieg * My 'Day Job' ->
------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2009 07:58:33 -0600 (CST)
From: "Alan Sieg WB5RMG" <wb5rmg@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] a little different mode of sat tracking
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <1999.192.168.121.31.1234101513.squirrel@xxx.xxx.xxx.xx>
Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1
An interesting article on Space.com regarding satellite tracking - visually.
http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/090204-tw-satellite-sleuthing.html
I remember reading about Ted Molczan of Toronto, Canada last year with
the re-entering destruction of USA-193, via the SeeSat mailing list.
http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
/;^)
--
<- Licensed in 1976, WB5RMG = Alan Sieg * AMSAT#20554 ->
<- http://www.somenet.net * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net ->
<- http://www.linkedin.com/in/alansieg * My 'Day Job' ->
------------------------------
Message: 11
Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2009 10:25:46 -0500 (EST)
From: "Bob Bruninga " <bruninga@xxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: NO-44
To: Dirgantara YF?EEE <enggi1401@xxxxx.xxx>, Amsat BB
<amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <20090208102546.AIW27874@xxx.xxxxxxx.xxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
> just checking in website NO-44 use
> KPC9612, it that any modification in
> KPC9612 ? space requirment request ?
> or just KPC9612 standart put in Satelite ?
8 years ago, it was special code, becuse we had to ask Kantronics to add the
TELEMETRY command. The KPC-3+ has always had the telemetry command, so we
asked them to add TELEMETRY to the 9612+.
By now, maybe the KPC-9612+ standard models also have TELEMETRY command?
The only other special request, was to have our DEFAULTS all burned into
factory ROM. Such as CALLSIGN, TELEMETRY, DIGI OFF, etc... THey did this for
only a few hundred dollars.
We were very happy with the result. But Kantronics had reduced its
engineering staff, and it might not be as easy to get custom features now.
I can send you our default settings if they are not on our web page somewhere.
Bob, Wb4APR
>thanks
>73 de YF0EEE
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. 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
------------------------------
Message: 12
Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2009 10:54:30 -0500 (EST)
From: "Bob Bruninga " <bruninga@xxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: The future of AMSAT is NOW . . .
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <20090208105430.AIW28000@xxx.xxxxxxx.xxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
> The youth... are not interested in the
> how and the why of the toys they play with...
> China and Taiwan are now the center
> of the electronics hardware industry.
> ... we must find a way to seed Amateur
> Radio into the minds of today's youth
> or lose Amateur Radio tomorrow.
One thing I have noticed in doing amateur radio for scout events is that the
real pay-back is not necessarily in the kids, who's attention span cannot last
through a single contact, but in the interest of the middle-aged Dad's (and
Mom's).
So, yes, by all means, target the youth, but keep your focus more broadly and
reel in those parents who seem to take an interest. Bring in the parents and
someday the kids may follow.
In light of the above, I think there are some amateur-radio-for kids programs
that are shooting so low to the kids, that the parents miss the big picture.
This is not the case with AMSAT, but it is something I have seen elsewhere.
For my last 45 years being licensed, from my first day to my last, has been
the lamentation that all we have in Amateur radio are old-fuds over 50. And
now I am finally realizing that THAT is FACT. We should not avoid recruiting
old-fuds!
In fact, maybe we should consider targeting them?
Old fuds that are empty-nesters or retired have the $$$, the time, the
motivation and in many cases the need to develop a great hobby interest.
Amateur radio is about the ideal hobby for old fuds. You can do it almost
anywhere, at any range of expense, and meet great people.
So I do not in any way mean this to denegrate our outreach to youth. That is
fundamental, but ALWAYS keep in mind, the potential to reel-in the older
parents and bystanders.
Bob, Wb4APR
------------------------------
Message: 13
Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2009 16:03:42 -0000
From: "Dave Aitch" <dave@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Pilton School ARISS Contact - Friday 6th
February 2009
To: "'Ciaran Morgan'" <ciaran@xxxxxxxxxxx.xx.xx>
Cc: 'AMSAT-BB' <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <000001c98a06$d1001450$73003cf0$@xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Excellent work. Congratulations to all involved.
Thank you.
Dave. G1OCN AMSAT UK 5766
Portland.
Dorset.
IO80SM
------------------------------
Message: 14
Date: Sun, 08 Feb 2009 11:06:44 -0600
From: Joe <nss@xxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] How About This?
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <498F1124.7060608@xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed
How about running after this?
http://www.googlelunarxprize.org/
------------------------------
Message: 15
Date: Sun, 08 Feb 2009 08:40:08 -0900
From: Edward Cole <kl7uw@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: The future of AMSAT is NOW . . .
To: "Bob Bruninga " <bruninga@xxxx.xxx>, amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <200902081740.n18He8JT015448@xxxx.xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
At 06:54 AM 2/8/2009, Bob Bruninga wrote:
> > The youth... are not interested in the
> > how and the why of the toys they play with...
> > China and Taiwan are now the center
> > of the electronics hardware industry.
> > ... we must find a way to seed Amateur
> > Radio into the minds of today's youth
> > or lose Amateur Radio tomorrow.
>
>One thing I have noticed in doing amateur radio for scout events is
>that the real pay-back is not necessarily in the kids, who's
>attention span cannot last through a single contact, but in the
>interest of the middle-aged Dad's (and Mom's).
>
>So, yes, by all means, target the youth, but keep your focus more
>broadly and reel in those parents who seem to take an
>interest. Bring in the parents and someday the kids may follow.
>
>In light of the above, I think there are some amateur-radio-for kids
>programs that are shooting so low to the kids, that the parents miss
>the big picture. This is not the case with AMSAT, but it is
>something I have seen elsewhere.
>
>For my last 45 years being licensed, from my first day to my last,
>has been the lamentation that all we have in Amateur radio are
>old-fuds over 50. And now I am finally realizing that THAT is
>FACT. We should not avoid recruiting old-fuds!
>
>In fact, maybe we should consider targeting them?
>
>Old fuds that are empty-nesters or retired have the $$$, the time,
>the motivation and in many cases the need to develop a great hobby
>interest. Amateur radio is about the ideal hobby for old fuds. You
>can do it almost anywhere, at any range of expense, and meet great people.
>
>So I do not in any way mean this to denegrate our outreach to
>youth. That is fundamental, but ALWAYS keep in mind, the potential
>to reel-in the older parents and bystanders.
>
>Bob, Wb4APR
>
>_______________________________________________
>Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. 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
Good points: I would like to add a couple observations when talking
with non-hams about my hobby.
This is usually at work where our employees range from 21 to late
50's, mostly cluster in mid-30 to mid-40's. When I mention that I
"talk" via bouncing my signal off the Moon, I get a few apreciative
replies. Also, when I tell them that I hope to hear a spacecraft
orbiting Mars. Earth satellites and regular ham radio does not
capture much interest (as cell phones and TV does that). Otherwise,
we are often confused with CB radio by many "civilians".
Of course, at work we use commercial VHF-FM HT's and mobile radios
(and I'm the guy that keeps 'em working).
So I think that excluding adults or seniors to focus on youth, may be
a mistake. Often youth have so much teck stuff challenging their
attention and young adults are busy with career and family (I was in
my 20-30's), so that 40-60 age group is, perhaps, ready and looking
for activities.
In my case, I was licensed at age 14 and chose my career as a
result. I'm now into my 51st year as a ham. It has been a steady
influence throughout my life and career!
1958 - KN8MWA (Novice)
1959 - K8MWA (Technician)
1982 - AL7EB (Gen/Advanced)
2005 - KL7UW (Extra)
***********************************************************
73, Ed - KL7UW BP40iq, 6m - 3cm
144-EME: FT-847, mgf-1801, 4x-xp20, 8877-600w
1296-EME: DEMI-Xvtr, 0.30 dBNF, 4.9m dish, 60/300W (not QRV)
http://www.kl7uw.com AK VHF-Up Group
NA Rep. for DUBUS: dubususa@xxxxxxx.xxx
***********************************************************
------------------------------
Message: 16
Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2009 11:05:20 -0700
From: "Dave" <dave@xxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: How About This?
To: <AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <6CD60219AEAF4C1EADD402AB3F08E7C7@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
Indeed! A worthy project that would endow AMSAT for years. AMSAT has the
brains and resources; an idea we should pursue. I vote yea.
Dave
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joe" <nss@xxx.xxx>
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2009 10:06 AM
Subject: [amsat-bb] How About This?
> How about running after this?
> http://www.googlelunarxprize.org/
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. 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@xxxxx.xxx. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 4, Issue 63
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