[amsat-bb] Re: A considerate operating practice on FM (one channel) satellites, Europe

[Ollie Eisman]

Excellent reminders.  Thank you for posting.

73,
Ollie AJ1O

On Jan 28, 2008, at 12:08 PM, OZ1MY wrote:

> Hi all,
> This is a short version of an article I wrote in
> 2000 about using FM (single channel) satellites.
>
> The reason for using bandwidth for it is that I
> listened to AO-16 at the pass with AOS at 1621 UTC here
> from Copenhagen. It was awful - but unfortunately
> just a repetition of what has been going on for
> the last couple of month on other FM satellites.
>
> I do not think anyone made a real QSO. One particular radio
> amateur counted 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 over most of the pass ??
>
> Short version:
> The golden rule - do not transmit if you can not hear the downlink.
>
> Calling "CQ satellite" 3 - 4 or more times and give the call
> and the full locator at the same time is non-productive.
> It simply takes too long time. Experienced operators easily pick
> out new stations using a short CQ call.
> It is not really necessary to call CQ - just give your call.
>
> Considerate operating practice allows a QSO to finish.
> Many operators on the FM satellites do not adhere to this.
> You very often find a station calling on top of a running QSO,
> which makes the QSO take much longer time than necessary.
> Often it is because the QSO takes a long time, which leads
> to the next "rule".
>
> Make the QSO short when the satellite is busy. Valid QSO's
> just need to exchange calls and signal report. That is it.
> You do not need locator or operator name. If there is very
> little traffic OK go ahead and talk about anything - but not
> when the satellite is busy.
>
> Here in Europe we also have the habit of asking for the full lokator.
> I have tried to avoid that, but I have failed in this respect.
> For a terrestrial QSO or in a contest you need the full lokator -
> but not for a satellite QSO.
>
> A considerate operator will make one QSO per pass. If you are an
> experienced operator, who has made a lot of contacts before -
> limit your contacts to new stations.
>
> Do not use the FM satellites to elaborate on the weather situation
> in your local area, when the satellite is busy.
>
> Give priority to portable and mobile stations if they can hear the
> satellite.
>
> Give DX stations (rare calls) a chance to get through. I have  
> witnessed
> JW stations being "drowned" by local QSO's.
>
> Look at your satellite tracking program in order to avoid calling  
> stations
> that are out of the footprint.
>
> If someone is really annoying - don't try to block their signal - try
> to send them an e-mail especially if they are from your own country.
>
> Also respect if people want to use their own native language. It is
> perfectly OK to talk Danish, German or any other language, as long  
> as they
> do not carry on for many minutes.
>
> AND no - I do not want to be a policeman on the satellites :-)
> AND please no flames.
>
> 73 OZ1MY
> Ib