[amsat-bb] FM sat chaos

[tjschuessler at verizon.net]

So many newcomers to the FM Sats are put off by the chaos they here,
especially on the weekends.  Our success has led to this, which is at the
same time a bad thing and a good thing.

For those interested in making a first contact, or getting more comfortable
with the process, here is what I recommend to folks I talk to.

 1) Listen a lot first.  Get familiar with the process.  (Getting Started
with Amateur Satellites from the AMSAT Store is also great for this stage).
 2). Weekday passes, especially not in Summer are active but somewhat less
competitive.
 3). Overnight passes, especially of AO-91 as they generally are in the wee
hours of the morning when most of us are tucked away in our beds.
 4). For those on the east coast, Passes out over the Atlantic, as the
footprint will have fewer other operators available, thus lower competition.
 5). Central US operators should take advantage of west coast passes.
Except for California, way fewer operators per square mile which means more
room, sometimes.
 6). West coast operators should aim for passes well over the pacific to
again have fewer operators.
 7). Full duplex operation.  You may have to put a duplexer on each radio,
even using an Arrow with two feeds, to help separate V and U signals to
avoid de-sense.
 8). Low popularity passes help you learn the quirks of each satellite as
well as what procedures work best for you to hear yourself (Full duplex).
 9) Use proper phonetics to get your call/grid across plainly.
10) Enjoy the challenge.  Don't give up.

Finally, no one reading this email needs this last piece of advice.
Subscribe to this mail list.  It is a great learning tool.

73

Tom Schuessler, N5HYP
EM12ms