[amsat-bb] Re: Russian speaking QRM on AO-51 Rev: 13642

[Andrew Glasbrenner]

> Yeah, but PL on stops non-hams from expending battery power.
> 73,
> Jim
> wb4gcs at amsat.org
>


Correct, but not quite that simple. The PTT part of PL hasn't been in use 
much for a host of reasons that I will not go into now. We could go back to 
it now, but I've asked the command stations to hold off until a few more 
pieces of software are ready, partially to retain continuity. Jim White is 
working on a program to fulfill an idea of mine that will allow a uplink 
with PL to turn on the downlink transmitter, then immediately switch to the 
no PL audio path. The repeater and downlink will then be on for n number of 
minutes with no PL required. After n minutes the downlink times out and 
another PL'ed uplink will start the loop over again.

This will allow us to do several important things simultaneously. We will be 
able to save battery power when the satellite is not over users, but at the 
same time we will not have the same degree of logjam problems because the PL 
will only be required once or twice per pass. Also as long as one person is 
PL capable, everyone in the footprint can play whether or not they have a PL 
capable radio. We'll also be able to hear the QRM and work around it and get 
rid of it.

With this system anyone will be able to use the satellite given one PL 
equipped station in the footprint. As common as it may seem to have PL here 
in the US, this will allow access to more operators worldwide, as well as 
allow more operators to afford the 2nd radio sometimes required to do full 
duplex. 2m FM HTs without PL can be had for practically nothing now.

I think this is the best possible combination of both modes of operation.

73, Drew KO4MA
AMSAT-NA Vice President of Operations
AMSAT LM 2332