Ham operators get up in arms over the silliest things
This is from a April 4, 1999 post by Mike Gilchrist, KF4FDJ, to the AMSAT-BB listserv.
Exploring corporate underwriting for the future
Woah, wait a minute! I've looked at the web site. I've thought about the prospects. At best, I can see how you might find it distasteful, from a satellite op/ham operator point of view. However, I see nothing illegal, or for that matter wrong with Swatch sponsoring a satellite.
Think about how much GOOD could come from such an alliance. As long as the rules are followed, I see nothing wrong with commercial money helping to sponsor amateur satellite projects. If Boeing hoists an amateur satellite into orbit, will you boycott them?
Think through this now. How bad could the messages really be? "Launch a satellite, and the entire world will beat a swatch to your door." From what I've read, the only qualifier they have for their messages is it has to have the word "beat" in the message. So? If I'm talking on FO-20, and I use the word Motorola, am I guilty of breaking the rules? I don't think so. I don't think the word "beat" is even a Swatch trademark. [It is. -RC]
If this process helps introduce young people to the ranks of amateur radio, and amateur satellites, how can you NOT be in favor? Think of the potential. Here is a large multinational company putting out the word, telling the world to seek out radio operators to listen to a message from space! Use the opportunity to take your HT to the mall and gather a small crowd of young people to listen to a signal from space. They'll probably already know about it, and will be thrilled by the opportunity!
The last time FO-29 was in digitalker mode, I introduced several people to the thrill of receiving a signal from space on their own radio. Two are now users of AO-27. After posting a FAQ on this server explaining how to work the digitalker, I received dozens of emails from all over the world. Many were grateful to be handed the tools to have their own space experience. "Easy" experiences like these have a positive impact on our hobby.
Sometimes we ham operators get up in arms over the silliest things. If you send more hate mail to Swatch for the world to see, I guarantee you it will be we satellite operators wearing the black eye. Send letters of encouragement, and reassert our ranks as the innovators we are. Peaceful, kind, supportive words will win more of our sophisticated youth over to our ranks.
My mother used to tell me you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar. Please temper your responses and not make fools of the amateur satellite community.
73, Mike in Fort Myers
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