Yes the rules do definitely state the 1 contact rule for FM satellites. What you do here are operators who still try to rack up multiple contacts on the FM sats during FD and that only adds to the overload problem. My point was that since it is a "Honor system" type of thing. Someone running 150 watts into a decent beam can easily make multiple QSOs on an FM FD pass and all his QSOs still count for point (1 point only, but points just the same) and in ARRL FD rules, there is no way to disincentivize those operators from doing that. Now since the AMSAT rules do ask you to list contacts by satellite, it is easy to see if someone is running more than one contact on an FM bird. We won't see that reflected in ARRL rules so no use getting to hyped up over the issue.
There really will never be a good solution to this. Just hope that more stations get on the linear birds during FD, and than everyone can have lots of fun with lower frustration levels and more completed contacts.
-----Original Message----- From: John Brier johnbrier@gmail.com Sent: Monday, June 25, 2018 1:32 PM To: Tom Schuessler tjschuessler@verizon.net Cc: AMSAT BB amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] FM sats and FD
I don't think the below is true:
"The issue is in ARRL rules is that all Satellite contacts whether FM or SSB are seen as the same, then if somebody does hog the transponder trying to get multiple contacts on an FM bird, there is no way on the field day logging rules to throw those extra contacts out"
"7.3.7.1 Stations are limited to one (1) completed QSO on any single channel FM satellite."
which is referenced here:
"Satellite QSOs also count for regular QSO credit. Show them listed separately on the summary sheet as a separate "band." You do not receive an additional bonus for contacting different satellites, though the additional QSOs may be counted for QSO credit unless prohibited under Rule 7.3.7.1"
73, John Brier KG4AKV
On Mon, Jun 25, 2018, 11:31 Tom Schuessler tjschuessler@verizon.net wrote:
Well first of all the article that appeared in QST a little while back made it sound too darn easy, which yes it is, but not on field Day.
The problem with Satellites and field day in my mind it relates to the way the rules are set up. Yes ARRL and AMSAT both stipulate that only one FM QSO per FM Satellite per field day station. The issue is in ARRL rules is that all Satellite contacts whether FM or SSB are seen as the same, then if somebody does hog the transponder trying to get multiple contacts on an FM bird, there is no way on the field day logging rules to throw those extra contacts out. On 91, I threw my call out twice made one contact and was gone. I spent most of my effort on linear satellites and ignored other FM passes.
I do think you should look at this in a positive light. The growth in the number of amateur radio satellite has spurred a renewed interest in this aspect of a hobby and thus we have a potential easier time promoting AMSAT to more and more hams. Field day is a great place to do that because most of the people that come out are either already into amateur radio or new to the hobby and get excited about interest areas and that’s where AMSAT people need to get out of their house and to local clubs and field day set ups to do what we do will help to educate people and maybe save some of the bad behavior on the FM birds.
I had my share of issues and problems this weekend, but I had fun and in ONLY six hours of operating beat my score from last year so that was a win. I also got to do some education too and that helps the future of our aspect of the hobby.
- Tom. N5HYP
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb