[amsat-bb] Re: FD Mess

[Gordon JC Pearce]

On Mon, 27 Jun 2011 13:48:48 -0500
Patrick Green <pagreen at gmail.com> wrote:

> The ARRL should impose an ERP limit for satellite contacts.  That
> would solve the problem.  I don't see how running amplifiers on FD is
> in the spirit of what FD is all about.  I've made contacts using 50 mw
> so why do stations use 100+ watts *before* the antenna..  I wouldn't
> want my kids playing around a FD site with this time of setup.

Wouldn't that be AMSAT's job?  It's certainly possible to work an FM bird with 5W from a handie, and a hand-held yagi.

I don't understand the obsession with having all-singing-all-dancing computer-controlled setups, where it automatically updates its orbital elements, automatically calculates when the next pass is, automatically calculates where to steer the aerial and what to tune the radio to and leaving the operator to just push the PTT and shout over the top of the QRP/P stations.

All the computer-controlled stuff just plain isn't amateur radio.  If you want to sit in front of a computer and talk to people, use Skype.

Gordon MM0YEQ