[amsat-bb] Behavior on FM Satellites

[Paul Stoetzer]

Even the nicest doctors can get blunt when a patient doesn't listen to
repeated admonishments for over two decades!

73,

Paul, N8HM

On Mon, Dec 11, 2017 at 12:54 PM, Jim Beeson <jim at beeson.cc> wrote:
> Paul while I agree whole heartily with your intent your bed side manor could
> stand improvement.
>
> 73,s
>
>
>
> Jim Beeson
> WA5QAP
>
> On Dec 10, 2017, at 12:05 PM, Paul Stoetzer <n8hm at arrl.net> wrote:
>
> Good afternoon,
>
> During the last AO-91 pass, there were many interesting stations on,
> but in particular there were two low power rovers in rare grids: FG8OJ
> was in FK95 and C6AWD/MM (AC0RA) was in FL25 (an entirely wet grid
> that the ship will only be in for a short period of time).
>
> Yet, even while those two were in the footprint, stations were calling
> other fixed stations that they can work on any pass of any satellite,
> day or night. Right now, we have 14 satellites where you can make a
> QSO with a guy next door. There's no need to work a hundred stations
> on every pass of AO-91, especially when two guys in rare grids with
> low power equipment are attempting to hand them out. It's all about
> situational awareness. Pay attention to what grid ops are going to be
> on a pass (monitoring Twitter, Facebook, and the BB prior to a pass
> are handy for this), listen before you transmit, noting anything that
> seems rare, and wait to make other QSOs until the rare stations are
> out of the footprint. And please don't keep calling stations when they
> are out of the footprint. Learn your geography and/or look at a map,
> please!
>
> This is how I approached the pass: From monitoring Twitter, I was well
> aware that there would be two rare rovers on (the two I mentioned
> before). I did not need FG8OJ in FK95, so I did not call him. However,
> FL25 is a hole in my map. When I heard C6AWD/MM in FL25, I made my
> call, worked him, and then didn't attempt any more QSOs until he was
> out of the footprint (this included not responding to a person that
> called me).
>
> I know this is not the first time this topic has been raised, but
> behavior has been especially terrible since the launch of AO-91.
> Eventually, I and others will be forced to name and shame stations
> engaged in poor behavior. FM satellites are wonderful in that the
> simple, inexpensive equipment required to work them opens up the
> amateur satellite hobby to a large number of people. However, since
> they are a single channel covering a wide area, they also demand a
> good amount of situational awareness and courtesy when operating.
>
> 73,
>
> Paul, N8HM
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