Just tried a FO-29 pass for the first time in months. I don't get down here to operate at my main station much anymore. I put myself right around 435.850, a clear freq and proceeded to try and make a few contacts. Well, after one contact all of a sudden there were 3 or 4 stations calling CQ on 850, right on top of the station I was trying to work. I don't get it, there is plenty of bandwidth why do people call right in the middle of someone trying to make a contact. I gave up, unbelievable...
73 Jeff kb2m
I doubt it was intentional. They probably just can't hear the satellite.
Just have to spin the dial when that happens.
73,
Paul, N8HM
On Fri, Mar 14, 2014 at 5:02 PM, Jeff KB2M kb2m@comcast.net wrote:
Just tried a FO-29 pass for the first time in months. I don't get down here to operate at my main station much anymore. I put myself right around 435.850, a clear freq and proceeded to try and make a few contacts. Well, after one contact all of a sudden there were 3 or 4 stations calling CQ on 850, right on top of the station I was trying to work. I don't get it, there is plenty of bandwidth why do people call right in the middle of someone trying to make a contact. I gave up, unbelievable...
73 Jeff kb2m
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Jeff,
As N8HM said, some aren't hearing that you are already on that frequency. For others, the software controlling the radio(s) put them on the center of the transponder, and the operator doesn't bother to tune around and change that frequency.
If you start out 10 or 15 kHz above the center frequency when working SSB, or a similar distance below the center frequency if you are working CW, you'll avoid the hassle of fighting all the stations trying to occupy the center of the transponder simultaneously. Other than the 20 kHz transponder on AO-73 at night, there's more than enough room to move off the center frequency and help spread out the activity.
And if you are on over the next few days and hear W1AW/7 on, please give us a call. Either John K8YSE/7 or I will be on the mic. Glad to see you're getting back on FO-29...
73!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/
On Fri, Mar 14, 2014 at 2:02 PM, Jeff KB2M kb2m@comcast.net wrote:
Just tried a FO-29 pass for the first time in months. I don't get down here to operate at my main station much anymore. I put myself right around 435.850, a clear freq and proceeded to try and make a few contacts. Well, after one contact all of a sudden there were 3 or 4 stations calling CQ on 850, right on top of the station I was trying to work. I don't get it, there is plenty of bandwidth why do people call right in the middle of someone trying to make a contact. I gave up, unbelievable...
73 Jeff kb2m
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Hi Jeff,
Don't let a few rotten apples spoil the basket. What you encountered is common on FO-29 even with its generous passband.
As a general guideline I recommend portable and demo stations transmit outside 145.930-960 to play it safe.
73 Clayton W5PFG On Mar 14, 2014 4:10 PM, "Jeff KB2M" kb2m@comcast.net wrote:
Just tried a FO-29 pass for the first time in months. I don't get down here to operate at my main station much anymore. I put myself right around 435.850, a clear freq and proceeded to try and make a few contacts. Well, after one contact all of a sudden there were 3 or 4 stations calling CQ on 850, right on top of the station I was trying to work. I don't get it, there is plenty of bandwidth why do people call right in the middle of someone trying to make a contact. I gave up, unbelievable...
73 Jeff kb2m
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
participants (4)
-
Clayton Coleman -
Jeff KB2M -
Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) -
Paul Stoetzer