Hello all,
Been doing the FM satellite passes now for 7 months and have been reading the thread on satellite operating protocol that has been making the rounds the last day with interest. I have a thought worth mulling over I think, especially as we attempt to attract more hams to our niche of the hobby.
My comment about satellite protocol has to do with how HO-68 is used when in the FM/PACSAT mode. The power level competition between the FM folks and the packet folks make for a very challenging environment for most operators, especially the handheld guys like me. The packet folks have a right as do the FM folks and I am sure there is as much frustration amongst Packet satellite operators as is experienced by the average FMer. If I had the resources to do SSB/CW I would gladly be using that mode when it comes around on HO-68 but that is not in the financial game plan for now.
Don't get me wrong, I am much appreciative of the China AMSAT folks for championing a very serviceable bird for all to use. I just wonder, especially for us in NA, if we could work out some sort of gentlemen's agreement that would help mitigate some of the competition on FM/PACSAT weeks. Maybe since CA AMSAT seems to in general work a week of SSB and then a week of FM, we could work it so that in a given month, the first weeks non SSB passes would be strictly FM voice and then the second non-SSB week would be purely Packet. This would take some definite spreading of the word through this and other media and would also take some level of discipline by the two sides to maintain the lines of demarcation. Such an effort though would probably go a long way to make an "Easysat" much more enjoyable for all.
What you all think?
Tom Schuessler 2713 Lake Gardens Drive Irving, Texas 75060 972-986-7456 214-403-1464 (Cell) [email protected]