Dear Ib,
I hate to be a "party-pooper," but my understanding is that the 2nd repeater operating on AO-51 is reserved only for the K5D Desecheo Island Operation. Someone correct me if this is not the case.
From the main page of the AMSAT.org website, I read, "The second repeater on
AO-51 will be activated on February 16 and reserved only for contacts with the K5D Desecheo Island 2009 DXpedition http://www.kp5.us/ while the satellite is within range of the island."
I've experienced some of the issues you raise when attempting to work AO-51 from the East Coast of the USA when operating V/U. We all need to be patient and respect one another's use of the satellite. So many of us just want to make that contact, and perhaps we are a bit hasty in pressing that transmit button when others are still in QSO. It is a thrill to know that we can communicate in this manner.
Good luck with your operating through the birds!
Sincerely, 73
Harry ~ KC2OJN