You have interpreted the AMSAT rules correctly. However, we are not in a position to interpret the ARRL rules. I would suggest contacting someone at the ARRL for clarification. Even asking another ham could lead to that ham's interpretation and not the real deal.
73...bruce AMSAT Director Contests & Awards (one of my official titles)
Gary "Joe" Mayfield wrote:
The ARRL Field Day rules regarding satellites are difficult for me to understand. I asked for a clarification of the one contact FM bird rule and did not hear what I expected. What they mean is "one contact per FM voice satellite"
For example: if AO-51 is running VU and LS you get one contact, not one on each transponder. (The opposite of AMSAT I believe)
I believe there are more differences;
On AO-7 where working a station in mode A and then working it again in mode B would be two contacts for AMSAT, but a dupe for ARRL.
In fact working a station on AO-7 (either transponder) and then on VO-52 is a dupe in the ARRL (but not AMSAT) rules as "Satellite" is a single band in the eyes of the ARRL.
I'm trying to stay out of trouble this year, so if anyone has any additional clarifications please let me know, or if you know this to be wrong let me know.
Thanks and 73,
Joe kk0sd
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