The Future of AMSAT is NOW …
Posted: February 7, 2009 6:46 pmFiled under: amateur radio, amsat, internet, rant, space
In response to on-going discussion on the AMSAT-BB, I displayed my passion for supporting the amateur radio satellite program. I’ll cross-post here:
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 . . . it’s actually here now.
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’ ->
February 7th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Life is just too hard these days, what with 200 plus cable channels, zillions of web pages to view, video games, and fast food places to eat… on top of all this we have to decide what kind of dole we going to receive for not working…. Good thoughts. 73
A I 4 Q T
February 9th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
After posting those thoughts to the AMSAT bulletin board,
I have received response - both by private email, and on-line.
I thought I’d share some of the information here.
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* Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: The future of AMSAT is NOW . . .
* From: Michael Heim
* Date: Sat, 7 Feb 2009 15:11:54 -0800 (PST)
I agree Alan.
.. .. .. (see amsat-bb for the rest of this reply)
Michael Heim
ARS KD0AR
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* Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: The future of AMSAT is NOW . . .
* From: “Tim Goodrich”
* Date: Sat, 7 Feb 2009 19:53:12 -0800
I couldn’t have said it better myself!
Tim
KI6VBY
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Subject: Re: The future
From: N4TXI
Date: Sat, February 7, 2009 20:45
Good stuff. -Gary
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Jim has some insight into current circumstances, I’ll cross-post all.
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* Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: HEO naivete
* From: Jim Sanford
* Date: Sat, 07 Feb 2009 20:27:56 -0500
All:
I’ve watched this discussion with some interest, and some pain. I’m over a year removed from involvement in AMSAT leadership and what was then Eagle, so what follows is MY opinion; responsibility for errors or inaccurate conjecture are all mine.
WARNING: OPINION FOLLOWS!
In no particular order:
1. A driving force behind the move to microwaves was to provide innovate SERVICES that could be versatile, and attractive to the “computing” generation. (I spent today judging a regional science fair; the 30-something teacher spent the entire deliberative period texting on her cell phone. 3 weeks ago my 30-something son ran the Goofy challenge [half-marathon on Saturday followed by full marathon on Sunday thru Disney World]. His friends got his splits by text message, and for the next 2 days he got text congrats — not cell calls.)
2. A driving force behind the move to microwaves was to provide services that would be EASY TO USE and enable the apartment dweller or antenna-restricted ham to work DX with something the size of a DirectTV dish.
3. A fundamental principle of the microwave package was that we’d develop the ground segment in parallel, and using common hardware, with the space segment. No more, “If we build it, they will [hopefully] come.” And of course, building more drives cost down .. . .
4. A fundamental principle of the microwave package was that we’d drive the ground segment to be affordable, as defined by the number of people willing to shell out over $500 for the latest FM dual-bander with APRS built in. (I’ve no idea where the cost estimate is today, but a few
years ago, we thought this possible.)
5. There are varying interests at work here. Many (me included!) want to continue to use their legacy equipment. Many (me included!) want the challenge of doing something new and innovative . . . and live up to a
reason for amateur radio existence, technical innovation. It’s all about balance . . ..which led to the U/V/L package, (legacy) implemented in Software Defined Radio (innovative) which added some neat new capability — backpackable low data rate emergency communications. Gee,
looks like a win-win!
6. FULL DISCLOSURE: I was the Eagle Project Manager for a couple of years. I had to back away about 18 months ago because commitments of the day job and some new family commitments prevented me from doing it right. One of the most painful decisions I’ve made in my life, but it was the right one for me and I think for AMSAT. I do regret having to back away, and regret whatever role that had in subsequent events.
7. AMSAT technical communithy went through a tough time. Rick Hambly and Barry Baines have documented that in several issues of the Journal. 13 years ago, when my Command was going through some tough times, my XO and I would remind each other, “The true measure of a man is how he responds when things are not going well.” So it is with organizations. AMSAT has gone through some tough times but will recover.
8. The current leadership is working the problem. See 2 Journals ago, Barry described what Bill Ress is doing to reconstitute an engineering organization — both in vision and in resources (volunteers). This will take a while, but from my infrequent LONG conversations with both Barry
and Bill, I think it is heading in the right direction; give it a chance, and help all you can.
9. One concept that I’ve discussed with Barry and Bill (was not my idea, but I do not remember whose) is developing an operational concept ==> functional requirements ==> definition of capabilities needed ==> discrete modules with common interface that can be built generically, put on a shelf, and be available on short notice to adapt to whatever orbit/power/thermal opportunity pops up. I have professional experience
with “generic” building blocks, and it is all positive, leading to enhanced capabilities, and the ability to adapt to previously unconsidered applications, leading to higher volume, leading to lower costs, leading to more sales, leading to higher volume . . . .
10. I honestly believe that launches and financial support will be difficult to obtain until we have something to show. Para 9 might give us something to show; could be demonstrated terrestrially — which was
one of the orignial peripheral goals of the microwave package. Once we demonstrate that we have HARDWARE ready to take advantage of opportunities, I really think it will be easier to cultivate those opportunities.
11. Two journals ago was a very thoughtful article about the data architecture of the ACP. Read it. Some good people have done some good theoretical work and concluded that the Earth Space Earth segment can be made to look like a long range TCP/IP connection — with infinite usage
possibilities. This is the kind of capability that going to the microwaves and digital data concepts brings to the table. This kind of work should be encouraged and continued. I’ve fantasized for many years of “CAT-5 to the antenna box”.
So, what’s my bottom line?
I think AMSAT is moving in a good direction away from some painful organizational challenges. I think AMSAT is reconstituting an engineering organization that can produce innovative payloads, for whatever orbit is available. AMSAT needs our support.
So, keep the discussion going — honestly, dispassionately, and impersonally. The discussion should be about process and things, not individuals. It should be about looking ahead, not criticising actions of the past. Yes, the past should be studied to learn and not repeat errors, but there is no value in pouring smoldering embers on smoldering embers. Then support AMSAT however you can. ESPECIALLY if you have some technical talent to offer, but if you don’t, toss in some $$. If the generic hardware concept evolves and moves to completion, funds will be needed to test and build the modules. THEN, we can seek demonstrations and launch opportunities, and THEN we can worry about getting funded to support the launch. The key is being ready to flex on short notice.
Hope this is of some value.
73,
Jim
wb4gcs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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* Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: HEO naivete
* From: Andrew Koenig
* Date: Sat, 7 Feb 2009 21:01:08 -0600
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
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* Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: The future of AMSAT is NOW . . .
* From: “Bob Bruninga ”
* Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2009 10:54:30 -0500 (EST)
> 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
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* Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: The future of AMSAT is NOW . . .
* From: Edward Cole
* Date: Sun, 08 Feb 2009 08:40:08 -0900
At 06:54 AM 2/8/2009, Bob Bruninga wrote:
>One thing I have noticed in doing amateur radio for scout events is …
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)
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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@hotmail.com
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Thanks for reading,
I hope it will provide some additional insight /;^)
February 9th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Hey Alan!
Great comments, I mean REALLY great - and I wholeheartedly agree. Along a similar vein, I recently wrote this (and I had not even read your post beforehand!) on my Flickr page.
“I don’t need a damn teevee. I have the Internet, for cryin’ out loud!
“Seriously, I’ve not watched teevee for about a year. I haven’t missed anything. The only thing I really wanted to see live anyway was the Obama inauguration… so, I heard it on the radio. Almost better than teevee.
“For the most part, I think teevee is for dumbasses… talking heads that insult your intelligence by either 1.) telling you what you’re seeing, 2.) telling you what you just heard, and//or 3.) telling you what you just saw and heard. Well DUH! I CAN SEE AND HEAR! What I want to know is why doesn’t Katie Couric have someone telling me what SHE just said! Maybe I should learn sign language instead. And maybe gouge my eyes out!
“Naaah. I’ll just turn off the idiot box instead.
“Combined with worthless “entertainment,” like “reality” shows and degrading stuff like American Idol, and other stoopid “contests,” and you have a veritable hog slop trough for your mind.
“So, when I watch teevee, I like to watch something benign like “The Andy Griffith Show,” “Leave It To Beaver,” “Gomer Pyle, USMC” or something similar where no one gets killed, maimed, or seriously injured. You know… entertainment! Teevee worth watching! Of course, I do like some dramas (the classic variety), and non-commercial teevee.”