[sarex] Re: Lets go back to simplex voice

[Louis McFadin]

David is exactly right. I have worked on the SAREX program and the ISS  
ham project from it's inception on Owen Garriott's flight. Over that  
time period I have talked to the crew many times in my position as the  
ISS-Ham hardware manager and as the SAREX principal investigator doing  
radio checkouts and trouble shooting. In all that time I have only  
talked to the crew about three times as a random unscheduled contact.  
It's rare that they get on the air and talk randomly. When they do you  
should consider it a rare contact. If you use high power and a highly  
directive antenna and more or less overwhelm the receiver, you can  
beat out the ordinary hams. I consider that bad ham manners. Anyhow  
enjoy the opportunities that come along and help us keep ham radio on  
ISS by supporting the ARISS activities through your local AMSAT  
organization.

Lou McFadin
W5DID
ARISS US Hardware manager


On Aug 11, 2009, at 1:17 PM, David Barber wrote:

> I have to admit to being more than a little disappointed with the  
> tone of
> elements within this thread so I'll apologise in advance if what I  
> have to
> say offends anyone.
>
> The last two years have seen an unprecedented level of activity from  
> the ISS
> and their support teams with operations in all modes currently  
> available.
> Personally I have found it most interesting and enjoyable.
>
> Whilst I can understand the frustration of those wishing to make a  
> voice QSO
> with one of the crew (or visitors) we should remember that despite  
> it being
> their choice they are doing a job few of us would match up to.   
> Whether and
> how they choose to operate in their 'spare' time is a matter for  
> them, it
> does not deserve our criticism.
>
> Enjoy whatever is on offer and remember that having a voice contact  
> with
> them is a privilege not a right.
>
> David
> G8OQW
>
> ----
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