Satgen96  Satellites - The Future ?    by GM4IHJ   28th Jan 91

This week (29th ) we may get the launch of RM-1 mode B low earth orbit
transponder satellite. It's primary payload launch has a very tight window
, which partially accounts for its several recent delays. We also have
RS12/13 due to change over with RS10/11 soon, and we may get what Amsat
hopes will be truly operational packet satellites. But we have no sign of
Dove voice. This is held up because the man who is needed to write the
upload software is still busy on the pacsats. So if you support Amsat
please tell them that perhaps 10000 people wait for Dove for every ten who
wait for pacsat. Amsat needs to recruit more software writers as the last
year has shown , with the existing super crew absolutely working flat out
and the pacsats clearly nowhere near optimum , with doubters now asking
whether they will ever usefully serve a majority audience. Eg Uosat3 8
minute pass Sunday lunch time, 5 users only.

Amsat cannot ignore the fact that the majority of its members will not
build a Pacsat station. Too expensive - too automatic ( very large
requirement for computer power and multitasking software which few
stations possess). So where can Amsat go next to keep its high tech
designers and its low tech users , happy ? 

I suggest 3 parallel routes :-
a. Continue to support low earth orbit mode B and J transponders, by
feeding donations to those who build them.
b. Put up simple Dove type bulletin broadcast UHF packet sats, putting out
DX, solar, aurora, SpE, MS, FAI, Sat data. 1200 bps AX.25 as Dove but with
meaningful bulletins ie No more - "Welcome to Upper Snake Jaw Educators".
Yes we will need a bulletin preparation and uploading group.
c. Build microwave geosat digital voice relay sats fed by local
terrestrial Gateways. Whereby amateurs use simple UHF repeater type access
to gateway which does all hard work of linking to multichannel geosat
built by Amsat hi tech designers. Biggest problem here is that most
amateurs would love to use them, but how many would help pay to build and
operate the gateways. Repeater operating suggests this "Use it, but not
support it syndrome" may be its Achilles heel. Everybody loves using
bulletin boards but no one wants to pay a penny to their upkeep . Please
note that gateway builders could become next generation of satellite
builders , as they gain expertise.

What do you think . Do I grow pessimistic in my old age ?
73 de John GM4IHJ @ GB7SAN