Hi Bruce! > There really is no solution to a satellite that uses a particular uplink > frequency to keep those that use the simplex frequency or are actually > trying to make a satellite contact and use poor operating practices. > <snip> > > Satellites are no different from rare DX, everyone wants a piece of it > and they want it now. As we are trying to get more and more hams > interested in the satellites, we are going to simply have more trying to > use the same space. One solution is for the experienced satellite > operators to move from the single channel FM satellites over to the SSB > birds.
I generally agree with you on these points, but not completely on the point that experienced operators should move off the FM birds to the SSB birds. If all the experienced operators move off the FM birds, who would be left to help the inexperienced operators? I've heard more activity on the SSB birds lately, probably due to ND9M/MM sailing around and working those passes along with the FM passes. The increased SSB activity helped me on Saturday at the hamfest in Tucson AZ followed by my post-hamfest drive through DM52/DM53 on my way home. Three of the 4 demonstration passes at the hamfest were in SSB (2 on AO-7, one on VO-52). Later in the day, there were active FO-29 passes where I was able to make 9 QSOs on the first pass (including ND9M/MM), and 5 more on the later pass to the west. Going to a comment by WA4HFN yesterday... If there was a problem on AO-51 that required the immediate attention from a command station, by all means do what is necessary to keep the satellite in good condition. Nobody should find fault with that. From the recording posted on K8YSE's web site of the Sunday afternoon AO-51 pass in question: http://www.papays.com/sat/AO-51_27Mar2011_221636z.mp3 along with posts on here since then, it is clear that was not the case. This is exactly like the situation when K5D was on the satellites from Desecheo a couple of years ago, and the posted threat by KO4MA to shut down one of the AO-51 repeaters due to what Drew called at the time "extreme poor operating": http://amsat.org/pipermail/amsat-bb/2009-February/017442.html Since AO-51 operates on a schedule, AMSAT should keep to the schedule. It may not be pleasant to hear at times, but we are dealing with a single-channel satellite (or, at times, a two-channel satellite). There are problems from time to time, whether it is an inexperienced operator, someone using an uplink as a private simplex channel or frequency for an EchoLink/IRLP node, or whatever. We deal with this on HF, we can deal with it on the satellites. If there is a last-minute change needed in order to protect the satellite, we will understand. If a change in the schedule is needed for some reason, do what's been done in the past - publish notice of the upcoming change as is normally done and go from there. If the last-minute change is done because someone is frustrated with what is being heard, or so someone can try to work a rare station or a rare grid, that is wrong. By the way, the pass after the uplink change didn't sound very different than before the change, except for a few seconds when Drew announced the change and everyone had to change their uplink frequency. 73. Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
