Satgen 400   More Talk, Less Squawk  by GM4IHJ  (BID SGEN400) 23Nov 96

Earlier this month, Richard G3RWL made the long journey to the Tucson
Az Amsat NA Symposium,where he presented a paper citing the continuing
need for simple mode A/K analog satellites. Reports suggest that his
paper was well received by the delegates. By contrast the subject
matter of recent Amsat NA board meetings seems to be continuing to
ignore Amsats roots, forgetting the self starters, newcomers and less
affluent, whilst concentrating on the expensive high tech lines of yet
more microsat squawk packages, schools/university specials and ,
killer apps ( what ever they are ).
One need look no further to find obvious reasons for the declining
numbers of radio amateurs who take up satellite operating. Satellite
developements in the 1960s to 1980s , took radio amateurs beyond the
Marconi and wire stage, and gradually, painlessly and cheaply,
introduced them to exciting state of the art, personal communications.
Now that all seems to be being allowed to wither away, as our leaders
seem to be forgetting the altruistic, "nation shall speak unto nation
" aspect of voice communications in favour of robotic digital systems.
This is strange. Indeed it is completely counter to the trends evident
in ordinary life as mobile telephones proliferate and various groups
compete to cover the world in satellite telephone links. Surely no one
can suggest that the advent of the Fax machine has destroyed our
desire for voice communication. Perhaps senior amsat members and the
university groups who continue to reproduce their endless stream of
squawking digisats, communicate with their families by digital message
links ? But frankly there is no sign of this in the ordinary world
outside. So why is the amateur satellite community being guided into
this impersonal direction. Diplomats who send telegrams usually finish
up going to war. Those who talk , usually stay at peace with one
another.
As an ancient radio amateur satellite operator, voice contacts with
W2BXA( the Daddy of all sat Elmers), W0CA, W4AUZ, N4AR, VE2LI, I8CVS
and OK3CDI, and a host of others , were the introduction to years of
lasting friendship and fun. Can anyone say that about the present
exchange of bytes and bauds ?
What do we say to a would be Third World newcomer to Amateur radio
satellites ?." Welcome, but , make sure you have a suitable micro
computer ($500+), Modem ($100+),transceiver ($1000+), Antennas ,
rotators and cables ($600). Oh and by the way we do not want to have a
friendly talk with you , just send us the standard impersonal, I read
you, you read me, store and forward bromide. We may read it next week
, and we may reply in kind".
Yes there will always be those who want an impersonal digital squawk
approach. Good luck to them . But very clearly , all those who wish
amateur radio to prosper, will want just as many Talk Boxes, as Squawk
Boxes. Please therefore , make sure where ever you are that your Amsat
reps understand this. Please also remember that it is our
contributions which pay for many of these satellites. Do we really
want a kind of amateur radio which has all the signs of a gradual
decline into a factual version of the late lamented Isaac Asimovs
fictional planet " Solaria", where individuals lived in almost
complete isolation from one another .