[amsat-bb] Re: Sat protocol

[Andrew Glasbrenner]

On 1/11/2011 2:36 PM, Joe wrote:
> I am new to the satellite world as of 3 years ago. I have read all the
> posts on the
> thread/s and I am wondering if there is a ACTUAL satellite protocol or
> etiquette
> that could be referenced.
> I just the common courtesy I have learn over the years of working the bands
> Or at least I hope I do. If I am offending please let me know as I will
> others.
> I try and get on the early passes on the FM birds when it is not so crowded
> and can a 2 or 3 sentence conversation with guys I have worked before and
> guys I have not. It is much easier on the linear birds to do that at
> most any pass.
> Just my 2 nickles worth but it would be nice to refer someone to a
> "protocol"
> when you feel they are not operating in a manner befitting the hobby rather
> than them just thinking you should mind your own business and butt out..
>
> 73,
> Joe
> KI4TZ

This article is a good one: http://www.innismir.net/article/26 I've 
emailed it to bad apples and newbies several times in the past.

That being said, all the high power FM satellites have always had the 
capacity to be a mess. UO-14 was worse than AO-51, partially because it 
was 4 watts and you could truly work it on an HT antenna. There were 
passes of UO-14 that sounded like Field Day from beginning to end.

More and more operators are using half duplex systems on the FM 
satellites, and this really has an impact when things get busy. Listen 
to enough passes and when things jam up, and you'll figure out who is 
full duplex, and who can hear well too. All of us need to encourage, by 
education and example, full duplex operation as soon as possible in an 
operators station evolution. Equipment is getting harder to find new, 
but you can find used 2m uplink rigs for dirt cheap used, and almost as 
much new as you'd save by forgoing the Arrow diplexer!

We should also self-limit our QSOs when it gets busy. Sometimes it can 
be hard to do. Personally, I tend to get dogpiled a little bit when I 
get on. I'll answer someone if they call me (usually) but won't initiate 
more than one or two QSOs, and those are usually new guys I hear. I also 
often ignore stations who exhibit poor manners and QRM other stations or 
QSOs. A little passive-aggressive, but it often gets the point across.

73, Drew KO4MA
AMSAT-NA VP Operations