My logging method is to start with a clean sheet of paper (in an 8.5x11 spiral notebook) and as soon as I hear a call, write it down and keep going down the page. Even if they are working someone else or just throwing out their call. If I hear their grid, I write that down next to their call too. If I end up contacting them I write the exact time down next to wherever their call & grid is on the page. That spreads out the 'writing' and helps recognize calls & grids on other passes, etc.
Ernie
On 12/13/2018 7:03 PM, Ryan Noguchi via AMSAT-BB wrote:
Experienced ops may be able to readily recall and repeat calls, but I found it challenging to recall and repeat a call sign without seeing it in writing. This was really holding me back from satellite operating until I made an effort to free up my hand to log during the pass. Even experience with contesting wasn't terribly helpful, since I almost always write or type the call as I hear it, and when I transmit am really reading the call off the log sheet (or my logging program) rather than recalling it from memory. My aural recall is very poor compared to my visual recall, which is why this visual memory jog is extremely helpful for me. It won't be as helpful for someone with good aural recall.
I also hear on Twitter about once a week about someone needing help reconstructing QSOs on a pass because their recorder failed. I had that happen to me once too, when I was not hand-logging because I was in the dark. Now I use a headlamp when operating at night so I can read and write even in the dark.
This was a technique that required very little time and money to implement and had huge, immediate results for me, so I try to share this advice with newer ops as a potential technique for them to consider if they're struggling. I occasionally hear online from some newer ops that have trouble remembering the callsign of a station that called them or that they want to call, and occasionally on the birds hear some folks struggle repeatedly to repeat a full call sign. This is a technique that could help some of these folks to operate more effectively and confidently, and better utilize the limited resource of pass time, which benefits all users. But I certainly don't think everyone needs to do this, especially those who are already well experienced at satellite operating without it.
Carry on!
73, Ryan AI6DO
On Thursday, December 13, 2018, 12:31:12 PM PST, John Brier <johnbrier@gmail.com> wrote:I could see how writing down calls would help you work sats. It forces you to really try and hear and understand the callsign of the person you're trying to work.
What I do is when I hear a callsign I repeat it exactly as the op said it in my head. This usually allows me to say it back when I want to call them. Occasionally I get mixed up when people call me and I can't repeat their call fully/accurately and I'll just say QSL as I know I have it on my recording. I prefer not to do that of course.
Do what works for you!
73, John Brier KG4AKV
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