Not really active right now so I haven't heard what's going on with SO-50 but I can well imagine. I would guess the main problem is what it most often always is on the FM birds. A lot of hams like to try and "sell" sat ops by telling folks that all they need is a dual band handheld and an Arrow antenna. The problem is that there are very few if any full duplex capable dual band handhelds available right now and less and less full duplex mobile rigs. If you don't have the capability to be able to hear your own signal, you have no business even being on a sat, much less an FM one. Full duplex capability is the only proper way to operate satellites, especially an FM one, and how we ever got away from that line of thinking is a mystery to me. Gosh knows, handheld radios are really cheap these days, we may not be able to buy full duplex ones but it's not that big a deal to buy two. Just my 2 cents. Michael, W4HIJ
On 9/1/2013 7:58 PM, Rick Walter wrote:
Well said Wyatt. SO-50 sounds more like the Wild West the last few months. Unfortunately, the people that need to read this probably do not subscribe to the list.
I do not consider myself a "perfect operator" but I try to be.
ARRL should address this matter in QST. I seem to remember someone suggested this to them and where ignored.
Ham radio's motto was always listen before you transmit. It sounds like many people missed it. I hear your #2 every time I'm on that bird.
Thank you Wyatt.
Rick -WB3CSY Sent from Rick's iPad2
On Sep 1, 2013, at 7:09 PM, wyattdirks wyattdirks@msn.com wrote:
Today and quite a bit lately it seems So50 is becoming out of control. A few thing to consider when working So50 and the other birds.
Don't transmit if can't hear. Really so50 should sound like your local repeater its its not then you need a better rx antenna or maybe a preamp.
If you hear someone talking let them finish the qso before you call someone. Also if someone calls somebody don't call the same person before they even have the chance to answer the first guy.
Don't call people blindly if your interupting a qso. And don't continue to call the same person over and over if they aren't responding. Let people that are actually hearing the satellite make contacts.
Do work full duplex. If you can't hear when your transmitting you're likely cuasing interference.
Do enjoy so50 as it is the only fm satellite right now.
73 Wyatt AC0RA