From: wingo%cspara.decnet@Fedex.Msfc.Nasa.Gov
Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: Re: another sad anniversary
Date: 2 Oct 92 19:51:00 GMT
Article-I.D.: judy.2OCT199214513719
Organization: University of Houston
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41

In article <BvH599.Lvp@zoo.toronto.edu>, henry@zoo.toronto.edu (Henry Spencer) writes...
>In article <1992Oct1.140736.1@mdcbbs.com> rivero@mdcbbs.com writes:
>>  With the latest in high-tech radios and computers now available, couldn't
>>your basic University Astronomy Department set up an Earth Station?
> 
>Equipping it with a 30m dish and liquid-helium-cooled maser amplifiers
>is still going to be rather expensive.  Those improvements in technology
>haven't passed DSN by; the data-transmission rate from modern planetary
>missions is many times what it was twenty years ago.  You really need
>performance close to that of DSN to get good data from Magellan in
>particular, because it's an extremely data-intensive mission.
> 
>To get high data rates from far away, the basic laws of physics pretty
>well dictate that you need (a) a big dish and (b) very-low-noise amplifiers.
>Nothing you can do with "the latest in high-tech radios and computers" will
>get you around those two requirements, both of which are expensive.
> 
>Your basic U.A.D. perhaps could set up an Earth station good enough to
>receive from a 1965 planetary mission.  Unfortunately, they aren't
>launching those any more.
>-- 

Henry and all there is an answer to this already. AMSAT and many hundreds of 
hams worldwide have the ability to communicate to asteroid belt distances
using the EME stations in place for the 1965 class missions you speak of. 

There is a new organization the Deep Space Exploration Society, located in
Boulder Co that has THREE 26 meter class antennas that were GIVEN to the
organization.  They are in the process of refurbing the antennas. This is a 
chance for all of you big mouths out there to put your money where your 
keystrokes are. They need funds to continue and accelerate the work in 
progress.  They have one of the antennas under control and are working to 
get computers, Low noise amplifiers and Radios to allow them to do 
amateur deep space missions.  You want to help? Sure you do. 

I will post the name and address of the contacts for the group and let you folks
who with your deep burning desire to help the private space program can
vent your frustration with a cash or equipment donation to this non profit very
dedicated group. I challenge each and every one of you, especially you Henry,
Allan, Nick, Tommy, John, and Co to match our one hundred dollar donation to
them.

[soapbox time again]

This is symptomatic of the maliase of this group, even the advocates.  While
you all are moaning about how much it will cost and how hard it is to do, 
these guys are simply going out there and getting the job done!!!

[climbs down off of soapbox]

While you are at it we need donations for SEDSAT 1. Anyone who wants to help
will be acknowledged with your name inscribed on the bottom facet of the 
satellite. Fifty dollar donation minimum for this perk.  Anyone interested
send donations to:

SEDSAT 1 project team
Research Institute Room M65
University of Alabama in Huntsville
Huntsville Al 35899

This is a non-profit Educational and Amateur Radio Satellite

Heck I never thought about  doing this till now. If it is inappropriate to
do this on this net please let me know

Dennis, University of Alabama in Huntsville