[amsat-bb] Poor Operators

[Chris Hoffman, KG6O]

I agree ‘Never’ is incredibly strong. Perhaps ‘...should be avoided if at all possible...’? 

In my opinion, the problem is not QRM or congestion. The problem is welcomeness. 

The problem is that new operators continually hear banter and “... it’s a nice morning here, Bob...” then when they try to squeeze in a contact —after the conversation is over— they are instead crushed by other operators also trying to respect boundaries on an 8min pass. 

The problem is that new operators have told me they perceive what are obviously repeated contacts as an expression of territory, and they put down the antenna for good.

The problem is the assumption that it’s ‘...NOT a busy pass.’ That very idea serves to disenfranchise, devalue, and repel new operators, making it a self-fulfilling prophecy. Save Repeated Contacts —short or long— for EMail or HF: it should ALWAYS be considered to be a ‘busy pass‘ until we have available passes every 5 minutes. 

I challenge the experienced ‘regular’ operators to stay off the PTT, listen for the new contacts that will inevitably show up,  and remember that —in the aggregate— any open transponder time is an invitation for new operators.

/CH
KG6O
kg6o at arrl.net

> On Mar 24, 2020, at 19:06, Bob Liddy (K8BL) via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb at amsat.org> wrote:
> 
>  It all depends on the situation. If it is a busy pass and others are
> trying to make a QSO with a specific station since they are a Rover
> or DX or rare somehow or New, just step aside if you don't need or
> want that station. If it is NOT a busy pass, there should be no problem
> with calling any station for any reason as long as you are not QRMing
> an existing QSO in progress. How easy is it to just LISTEN and hear
> what is going on and act accordingly? Just like on other Bands or
> Modes or Repeaters, DON'T transmit on top of a busy frequency. BTW,
> if you can't hear other stations or the Beacon on a pass, it would not
> be good to do a lot of transmitting since you may be causing a lot of
> QRM to other users. Listening to several passes without hearing other
> stations probably indicates you have a RX problem. When setting up
> a station, always make sure you are hearing well before ever trying
> to transmit.
> 
> GL/73/Enjoy, Bob K8BL
>     On Tuesday, March 24, 2020, 07:46:00 PM EDT, Brian Wilkins KO4AQF via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb at amsat.org> wrote:  
> 
> I would not make this one a rule either especially since some rove to
> multiple grids. It has to be handled by the operator on a case by case
> basis. Also the called operator does not have to respond either if this is
> a problem.
> 
> Brian Wilkins
> KO4AQF
> 
>> On Tue, Mar 24, 2020 at 8:16 AM Roy Dean via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
>> wrote:
>> 
>>>> 
>>> - problem #2 is about reducing congestion. It was discussed at length
>>> right here last year or so, and the bottom line was to never work a
>> station
>>> if you have already worked them before.  Let others get a chance.
>> 
>> 
>> "Never" is a powerful word.  There are plenty of passes that I've worked
>> in the past in which the only operators on the pass are ones that I've
>> worked plenty of times before.    Weekday morning passes are typical
>> examples.  I would suggest leaving this rule out, or at least modifying it
>> appropriately (however I think Sean's published work already suggests good
>> operating habits that cover this).
>> 
>> --Roy
>> K3RLD
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> _______________________________________________
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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
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