Dave,
I'm not about to convert you to the FM satellites, you were very fortunate to operate during the halcyon period for amateur satellites. However, we want to keep amateur satellites in space, and we must deal with the current economic situation. It is a thrill for me to teach someone how to operate thru an FM satellite with an HT in their yard and experience that excitement thru them.
Dave, I can understand your position on how easy it is for you to operate an FM satellite, it may be that you have an Oscar station which would make it "boring" and too easy for you.
Here is a challenge, Tim Lilley, N3TL earned the Oscar Satellite Communications award using only 50 mW and a hand held antenna for all his contacts, give it a try and report back how "easy" that is to accomplish.
73's Pete WB2OQQ www.massapequanyweather.com