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G0FTD > AMSAT 12.03.05 02:05l 74 Lines 2911 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 4D9796G0FTD
Read: GUEST
Subj: Ham sats - no longer worth it?
Path: DB0FHN<DB0THA<DB0ERF<DB0SON<DB0SIF<DB0GV<DB0LJ<DB0RES<ON0BEL<GB7CIP<
GB7SXE
Sent: 050311/2010Z @:GB7SXE.#38.GBR.EU #:24417 [Hastings] FBB7.00i $:4D9796G0FT
From: G0FTD@GB7SXE.#38.GBR.EU
To : AMSAT@WW
Readers in the UK may recognise this thread which I've touched upon in
the past - sorry but I think it's time for it to re surface and to a
wider audience.
15 years or so ago when I first had a dabble at trying satellites I did
a little research and decided that the easiest and best way to sample
satellite communications was using the Russian RS series of satellites,
RS12 and RS15 I believe.
The the 2m uplink and 29Mhz downlink as well as the other mode which
was 21Mhz uplink and 29Mhz downlink provided interesting listening
and QSO with very simple equipment and antennas.
As a satellite dunce I was impressed.
(Other "life factors" meant my satellite experience was cut short before
I could really get into them,support AMSAT etc).
These days it all seems to be pathetic bent pipe single channel FM
repeater satellites (useless) or exotic modes involving stuff in the
microwave region.
I've often wondered why Yaesu ever bothered with incorporating satellite
mode in their FT847 as it was defunct by the time it came on the
market !
With the demise of (in my opinion) the easiest and most useful satellites
ever launched for ham radio purposes I wonder if satellite communications
for the masses to experience and AMSAT membership is now obsolete -
considering that AMSAT appear to only be interested in exotic modes
for a tiny minority !
Now don't get me wrong I'm NOT a satellite expert - I'm just someone
who decided to look into satellites again in the hope of becoming
involved again and supporting AMSAT (satellites aren't free!).
I've seen *no* evidence that:
a)AMSAT have shown interest in re-invigorating satellites for the masses
b)anything that would give people like me the impetus to join and support
AMSAT.
Considering that amateur radio is often promoted through national
society's literature by boasting about such activities such as moon bounce
and satellite communications I fond it all a bit of a sick joke these
days. (Does the RSGB still do this ?).
And times have changed with many administrations adopting new entry
levels into amateur radio often with low powers permitted alongside
basic examinations and skill levels for whom the good old uplink/downlink
modes and equipment available present a large potential membership base
for AMSAT and an easy baptism in satellite communications.
Will AMSAT grasp an opportunity or continue to slowly hang itself ?
ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
³ 73 - Andy ³
³ G0FTD ³
³ Whitstable, Kent ³
³ Winpack-AGW ³
³ ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³
³ ³ Û ³ ³
ÀÄÄÁÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÙ
Don't let ham radio die - reclaim your hobby now !
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