Leo wrote:
On Tue, 23 Nov 2004 23:45:23 -0500, Mike Coslo
wrote:
N2EY wrote:
In article ,
(Brian Kelly) writes:
(N2EY) wrote in message
...
In article ,
(Brian Kelly) writes:
snip
I suppose Leo would call it more mutual admiration, but that's how I
see it (does Leo hate it when people aren't arguing?)
Actually, Leo would prefer that you and Jim end the mutual admiration
and compliment exchange phase of the project, and go do it!
1. Then we could get back to discussing Morse code testing, and
eliminate the distractions keeping us from paying attention to Steve and
Brian's war of words.
2. If people would allow the project to be discussed in terms of
policy, it would be germane to the list. Instead, there is a lot of
simply incorrect "facts" regarding myself being incapable of doing this
thing, and that such a thing is even possible.
While others eventually adjust their positions to grudgingly admit that
such things are possible, that doesn't change their earlier posts.
3. I hope you don't mind, but if Jim and I continue to discuss the
post, we will do just that. If you do mind, then you are free to not
participate. If you want to participate, then please do.
I certainly don't prefer arguing - civil discourse would be nice
indeed - but....you may well note that your always-supportive pal Jim
has been using the last few rounds of these exchanges to promote his
own agenda (ie demonstrate how incorrect his nemesis Len is) - your
project, or most any topic on this group, always takes a back seat to
this goal.
Len is a big boy, and seems to return the favors.
In fact, you seem to be following the example of your
mentor here a bit, joining him in the return fire.
Hehe, and Len's always been so *nice* to me!
Here's how I look at it. In my group of social and work friends, we
take little digs at each other from time to time. Little jokes that are
harmless and usually funny. My friends take shots at my occasional
legendary messiness in my office, and I take shots at one guys neatness
neatness, and another's occasional grumpiness. Big deal. We're friends,
and enjoy each other's company.
My making a leg pulling reference about naming the first payload
package "LEN" is about as innocent and cute a dig as a person could
make. If that is "return fire", and a bad thing, than why do you chide
me when I take exception to someone calling me incompetent?
It goes both ways.
Are you trying to
keep the arguement alive, or are you really interested in ballooning?
And, what would you like from us? - encouragement, ideas, assistance -
or just phony and gratuitous praise and accolades? You posted this
here for a reason - please advise.
I already explained why I started posting on this subject, from the
first post, and at least once during the ensuing thread. I'll do it again:
Hans started the thread by noting that Hams are being marginalized by
their own activities, or lack of them, substituting political action for
innovation.
Then in his post that elicited my response:
Hans wrote in part:
Then a couple of weeks later FCC Special Counsel for Amateur
Radio Enforcement Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, made some
chillingly similar comments in a public speech.
"Take nothing for granted. Bill Gates can't, and you can't either."
"You're at a crossroads now. An old Chinese philosopher (or my
grandmother--I can never remember which!) said, "Be careful what
you wish for. You may get it." Seize the moment, and make this
your finest hour. Ham radio has been at a crossroads before and
has thrived. Continue that tradition."
"Make sure that, on your watch, Amateur Radio never becomes
obsolete."
From those two FCC speeches, it ought to be clear to all of us that
Amateur Radio does *not* have a "free pass" to spectrum, not will our
current allocations be "protected" when other applications come looking
for a place to operate.
The handwriting is on the wall --- the FCC isn't much interested in what
we used to do, but is intensely watching our current stewardship of the
resources that are so highly coveted by other services. Regretably I
think we've been found, in Riley's words, "obsolete", and financing a
rearguard legal and political maneuvering by Haynie and Imlay is pretty
much ****ing money down a rathole.
end Hans quote
After another post by Jim, I noted that:
Quote by me:
Funny you should ask!
I have started to put together a "Near Space Science" group. I made
initial calls for interest a few months ago, and made my pitch at our
club meeting this week.
The response was excellent, both at the meeting and afterward in
private. At the moment it looks like we are going to make this happen.
The likely scenario is that we will be working with local schools and
other interested parties as well as among fellow Hams to launch
experiments - both ARS and Educational - to the shores of space at
around 100,000 feet above the earth, and then return them safely.
This is a ripe field for experimentation and innovation. There are
groups that are already doing this, and I see many innovations to be
made, and improvements in technique that may be possible.
The efforts are a public relations windfall if they are done correctly.
It is a great way to get our name out in the community, both locally and
nationally.
This can all be accomplished for a surprisingly low cost. It is also a
cross-interest project where people of many different interests and
disciplines can contribute. It isn't just Hams.
Outside of a gvt/university environment, Ham radio is the most
practical way to go. We have licenses, methods, and applicable
frequencies to use.
Don't know if any of you folks in the PA and local area are interested
in getting involved, but if so, we can discuss it here or by private email.
So there you are Jim. A way to innovate, experiment, and have fun at
the same time. Also a great P.R. effort that gets our message out to the
public in a way that they can understand as a "hi-tech" endeavor.
End my quote....
This project is in my opinion is intimately connected to amateur radio
policy. It is a highly visible project that would be likely to have
public support and generate positive p.r. for Amateur radio.
I was hoping that we might discuss this project as it applies to
Amateur Radio policy. Instead we got into how it was not possible for me
to even do such a project.
Perhaps you're thread is being hijacked......? 
All threads here eventually become Steve versus Brian! 8^)
- Mike KB3EIA -
73, Leo