[amsat-bb] Satellite SDR: Seeing IS NOT Hearing

[Robert McGwier]

Not to mention inconsistent with good operating practice which given the
guidance of the FCC is tantamount to a regulation.



On Sat, Mar 25, 2017 at 3:20 PM, Jim Wilson <jim at k5nd.net> wrote:

> Whether tuning blind or with full SDR vision, transmitting without
> listening to assess the situation is massively counterproductive. As noted,
> it disrupts the on-going communication and isn’t any more likely to get a
> response. HF, VHF, or SATs it all works the same.
>
>
>
> Jim Wilson
> www.k5nd.blog
>
>
>
> > On Mar 25, 2017, at 2:05 PM, CEE <cee at palomarlight.com> wrote:
> >
> > Clayton,
> >
> > Good topic!
> >
> > I would suggest that this behavior is not confined to SDR or satellite
> QSOs, but pervades all modes and bands of our hobby. I am guilty of this,
> but more due to excitement than intention. The good advice that is not
> confined just to ham radio, listen first, listen again, always applies, or
> as one local ham suggests, put mind in gear before the mouth. Not to sound
> like Miss Manners, but perhaps one of the unique aspects of our hobby is to
> always be considerate of the other operators. I always appreciate those
> ham's who mentor by example with kindness and absence of judgement.
> >
> > Thanks for mentioning!
> >
> > Chuck N7BFO
> >
> > On 3/25/2017 11:29 AM, Clayton Coleman wrote:
> >> I happen to be a fan of using Software Defined Radio (SDR) to receive
> >> amateur satellites. It is an inexpensive way to view all the signals
> >> appearing on a satellite's passband simultaneously.  While I don't
> >> normally run SDR full time at my station, from time to time I use it
> >> to monitor activity on busy satellite passes because I can view and
> >> record all activity.
> >>
> >> As a result of more people using SDR on satellites, I have discovered
> >> an operating trait that warrants some discussion and evaluation.
> >>
> >> On more than one occasion, I have given a call to a very specific
> >> station, and instead of my intended target had another SDR-based
> >> station appear on frequency immediately saying "QRZ? QRZ?" rather than
> >> wait and listen to who is calling on the frequency. The SDR user saw a
> >> signal on their waterfall and clicked on it. They "pounced" on what
> >> they perceived to be another station looking to make contact which
> >> might not necessarily be the case.
> >>
> >> I've see the same thing happen a few times with pileups.  There is an
> >> existing pileup in progress when the SDR station comes into the
> >> footprint. Rather than wait a short period to listen, they click on
> >> the new signal in their waterfall, and immediately proceed to "QRZ" on
> >> the frequency of the pileup, sometimes interrupting the flow of
> >> existing contacts.
> >>
> >> Just today I heard this scenario: Station 1 calls CQ.  Station 2 went
> >> to answer. The SDR user clicked on the waterfall, heard only part of
> >> the callsign of Station 2, and proceeded to call Station 2, ignoring
> >> the possibility that Station 2 was attempting to QSO with someone
> >> else.
> >>
> >> It seems to me the visual nature of SDR waterfalls is causing a
> >> temporary lapse in judgement when it comes to a basic ham radio
> >> principle that we apply to satellite operating -- listen with our ears
> >> before transmitting.
> >>
> >> SDR is a great listening tool. With great power comes great
> responsibility.
> >>
> >> 73
> >> Clayton
> >> W5PFG
> >> _______________________________________________
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> >> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views
> of AMSAT-NA.
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> >>
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
> > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership.
> Opinions expressed
> > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
> AMSAT-NA.
> > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
> program!
> > Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions
> expressed
> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
> AMSAT-NA.
> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
> Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>



-- 
Bob McGwier
Founder, Federated Wireless, Inc
Founder and Technical Advisor, HawkEye 360, Inc
Research Professor Virginia Tech
Chief Scientist:  The Ted and Karyn Hume Center for National Security and
Technology
Senior Member IEEE, Facebook: N4HYBob, ARS: N4HY
Faculty Advisor Virginia Tech Amateur Radio Assn. (K4KDJ)
Director of AMSAT and member of PVRC, TAPR, and life member of ARRL and
AMSAT