I don't feel a bit sorry for those who gripe on this BB about there not being enough HEO birds, too many FM birds (operators), not enough linear transponders, or the like. Yesterday, I encountered a nice FO-29 pass with maxEL about 60 degrees here at my QTH. I heard no one, yet I could hear my CW/SSB downlink signal from the bird loud and clear. For awhile the footprint covered the entire 48 state region. I thus called CQ for nearly 15 minutes, but no one (that's zero, na-da) came back to my calls.
Then later there was a good VO-52 pass and I did manage to work N6PAA, very good clear SSB signals both ways. But during the 10-15 minutes of that pass, I heard no one else in a QSO or calling CQ etc.
I think before we start making complaints about the current state of affairs, we seriously consider making use of those resources we do have at present. And then make a financial donation to the various AMSAT's and teams working to make future birds possible. We all want another HEO with lots of modes/bands, but complaining will not make one magically appear.
73, Larry W7IN, DN27, Plains Montana.