
I happened to be listening on AO-91 at 1939UTC and was appalled at the lack of etiquette on some stations working the satellite. One station in particular was adamantly calling everyone on the satellite without letup !! Nobody left any space in between calls to enable anyone else to make a contact ! One station tried to make a call to an XE2 station but everyone just jumped on top without let up !! I don't know what the answer is but it sure is one reason that I do not work the FM birds very often. COME ON GUYS ... Courtesy is the name of the game .. If you have worked that station before, don't call him/her again on the very next pass.. Sorry to be running off at the mouth but this is definitely getting to be a problem !! JACK KC7MG

Operators like that do not read this list. Nor would they care.
Nor do most. Here at work, 'my message' is always more important then yours. Even if it means neither of us will be heard.
On Tuesday, May 8, 2018, alex weimer [email protected] wrote:
I happened to be listening on AO-91 at 1939UTC and was appalled at the lack of etiquette on some stations working the satellite. One station in particular was adamantly calling everyone on the satellite without letup !! Nobody left any space in between calls to enable anyone else to make a contact ! One station tried to make a call to an XE2 station but everyone just jumped on top without let up !! I don't know what the answer is but it sure is one reason that I do not work the FM birds very often. COME ON GUYS ... Courtesy is the name of the game .. If you have worked that station before, don't call him/her again on the very next pass.. Sorry to be running off at the mouth but this is definitely getting to be a problem !! JACK KC7MG _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

And this is the main reason I do NOT like the FM Birds. Too much like "SKIP" on CH 19
Joe WB9SBD Sig The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com On 5/8/2018 3:58 PM, Oliver wrote:
Operators like that do not read this list. Nor would they care.
Nor do most. Here at work, 'my message' is always more important then yours. Even if it means neither of us will be heard.
On Tuesday, May 8, 2018, alex weimer [email protected] wrote:
I happened to be listening on AO-91 at 1939UTC and was appalled at the lack of etiquette on some stations working the satellite. One station in particular was adamantly calling everyone on the satellite without letup !! Nobody left any space in between calls to enable anyone else to make a contact ! One station tried to make a call to an XE2 station but everyone just jumped on top without let up !! I don't know what the answer is but it sure is one reason that I do not work the FM birds very often. COME ON GUYS ... Courtesy is the name of the game .. If you have worked that station before, don't call him/her again on the very next pass.. Sorry to be running off at the mouth but this is definitely getting to be a problem !! JACK KC7MG _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via [email protected]. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

While we're on this topic -- any tips for new hams wanting to work the satellites? I've listened to about 5 passes but always feel like if I call in I'll step over someone. Do I toss out just my call? A call and a grid? Do I try to call someone else I heard? Generally I'd listen with an sdrplay RSP2 and transmit with a cheap handheld, so I do have full duplex capability.
On Tue, May 8, 2018, 2:51 PM alex weimer [email protected] wrote:
I happened to be listening on AO-91 at 1939UTC and was appalled at the lack of etiquette on some stations working the satellite. One station in particular was adamantly calling everyone on the satellite without letup !! Nobody left any space in between calls to enable anyone else to make a contact ! One station tried to make a call to an XE2 station but everyone just jumped on top without let up !! I don't know what the answer is but it sure is one reason that I do not work the FM birds very often. COME ON GUYS ... Courtesy is the name of the game .. If you have worked that station before, don't call him/her again on the very next pass.. Sorry to be running off at the mouth but this is definitely getting to be a problem !! JACK KC7MG _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

Hey Caleb!
Some of the more experienced guys might reply with specific operating suggestions, so you'll want to follow any such tips for sure.
But one thing I always like to mention to people is that all the satellites are a lot less crowded late at night. I know everyone can't stay up late on a regular basis, but if you can manage any of the late passes at least occassionally, it sure makes it easier to get to know your equipment and have some successful contacts. Unlike a busy weekend pass, for instance, at night there's ample time for someone to let you know if your TX audio is low or whatever.
Hope you enjoy satellite operating!
-Scott, K4KDR
========================
On Tue, May 8, 2018 at 4:58 PM, Caleb Smith [email protected] wrote:
While we're on this topic -- any tips for new hams wanting to work the satellites? I've listened to about 5 passes but always feel like if I call in I'll step over someone. Do I toss out just my call? A call and a grid? Do I try to call someone else I heard? Generally I'd listen with an sdrplay RSP2 and transmit with a cheap handheld, so I do have full duplex capability.

I can echo this experience. All my passes on nights were free of the riff raff. It was not until I watched a video of a day pass I truly understood.
On Tuesday, May 8, 2018, Scott [email protected] wrote:
Hey Caleb!
Some of the more experienced guys might reply with specific operating suggestions, so you'll want to follow any such tips for sure.
But one thing I always like to mention to people is that all the satellites are a lot less crowded late at night. I know everyone can't stay up late on a regular basis, but if you can manage any of the late passes at least occassionally, it sure makes it easier to get to know your equipment and have some successful contacts. Unlike a busy weekend pass, for instance, at night there's ample time for someone to let you know if your TX audio is low or whatever.
Hope you enjoy satellite operating!
-Scott, K4KDR
========================
On Tue, May 8, 2018 at 4:58 PM, Caleb Smith [email protected] wrote:
While we're on this topic -- any tips for new hams wanting to work the satellites? I've listened to about 5 passes but always feel like if I
call
in I'll step over someone. Do I toss out just my call? A call and a grid? Do I try to call someone else I heard? Generally I'd listen with an
sdrplay
RSP2 and transmit with a cheap handheld, so I do have full duplex capability.
Sent via [email protected]. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

Hey Caleb,
I'd say since so many put their calls out it is more efficient to call someone yourself.
73, John Brier KG4AKV
On Tue, May 8, 2018, 17:00 Caleb Smith [email protected] wrote:
While we're on this topic -- any tips for new hams wanting to work the satellites? I've listened to about 5 passes but always feel like if I call in I'll step over someone. Do I toss out just my call? A call and a grid? Do I try to call someone else I heard? Generally I'd listen with an sdrplay RSP2 and transmit with a cheap handheld, so I do have full duplex capability.
On Tue, May 8, 2018, 2:51 PM alex weimer [email protected] wrote:
I happened to be listening on AO-91 at 1939UTC and was appalled at the lack of etiquette on some stations working the satellite. One station in particular was adamantly calling everyone on the satellite without letup
!!
Nobody left any space in between calls to enable anyone else to make a contact ! One station tried to make a call to an XE2 station but
everyone
just jumped on top without let up !! I don't know what the answer is but
it
sure is one reason that I do not work the FM birds very often. COME ON
GUYS
... Courtesy is the name of the game .. If you have worked that station before, don't call him/her again on the very next pass.. Sorry to be running off at the mouth but this is definitely getting to be a problem
!!
JACK KC7MG _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership.
Opinions
expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
program!
Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via [email protected]. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

Caleb (Call???),
When you hear someone announce their Call or Call & Grid (Nobody calls CQ), and there is no other QSO in progress, give their and from your Call or Call & Grid. Always use standard phonetics and individual numbers.
Example: (RX) Whiskey One Alpha Bravo, Fox November Two Zero (TX) Whiskey One Alpha Bravo from Kilo Six Yankee Zulu (RX) Kilo Six Yankee Zulu here is Whiskey One Alpha Bravo, Fox November Two Zero, over (TX) Whiskey One Alpha Bravo, QSL from Kilo Six Yankee Zulu, Delta Mike One Four (RX) QSL Seven Three from Whiskey One Alpha Bravo
Try to be quick before some else calls W1AB. If they do, wait for the sequence to finish and call. If someone else announces their Call, you can call them or W1AB. Or, you could announce your Call and see if someone calls you. In any event, do not make any call if there is a QSO already in progress. Remember, the FM birds are a shared resource and there may be a number of Hams anxiously waiting to use it. Be fast and brief.
GL/73, Bob K8BL
________________________________ From: Caleb Smith [email protected] To: alex weimer [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, May 8, 2018 4:59 PM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] FM Sat Exhuberance
While we're on this topic -- any tips for new hams wanting to work the satellites? I've listened to about 5 passes but always feel like if I call in I'll step over someone. Do I toss out just my call? A call and a grid? Do I try to call someone else I heard? Generally I'd listen with an sdrplay RSP2 and transmit with a cheap handheld, so I do have full duplex capability.
On Tue, May 8, 2018, 2:51 PM alex weimer [email protected] wrote:
I happened to be listening on AO-91 at 1939UTC and was appalled at the lack of etiquette on some stations working the satellite. One station in particular was adamantly calling everyone on the satellite without letup !! Nobody left any space in between calls to enable anyone else to make a contact ! One station tried to make a call to an XE2 station but everyone just jumped on top without let up !! I don't know what the answer is but it sure is one reason that I do not work the FM birds very often. COME ON GUYS ... Courtesy is the name of the game .. If you have worked that station before, don't call him/her again on the very next pass.. Sorry to be running off at the mouth but this is definitely getting to be a problem !! JACK KC7MG _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
_______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

Easiest thing is to call someone you've heard. Or even easier, set up a sked with another op ahead of time - let them call you and you answer! NP4JV did that for me on my first SO-50 pass a few years ago, made it a lot less daunting first starting out.
73
- Matt nj4y On 5/8/2018 4:58 PM, Caleb Smith wrote:
While we're on this topic -- any tips for new hams wanting to work the satellites? I've listened to about 5 passes but always feel like if I call in I'll step over someone. Do I toss out just my call? A call and a grid? Do I try to call someone else I heard? Generally I'd listen with an sdrplay RSP2 and transmit with a cheap handheld, so I do have full duplex capability.
On Tue, May 8, 2018, 2:51 PM alex weimer [email protected] wrote:
I happened to be listening on AO-91 at 1939UTC and was appalled at the lack of etiquette on some stations working the satellite. One station in particular was adamantly calling everyone on the satellite without letup !! Nobody left any space in between calls to enable anyone else to make a contact ! One station tried to make a call to an XE2 station but everyone just jumped on top without let up !! I don't know what the answer is but it sure is one reason that I do not work the FM birds very often. COME ON GUYS ... Courtesy is the name of the game .. If you have worked that station before, don't call him/her again on the very next pass.. Sorry to be running off at the mouth but this is definitely getting to be a problem !! JACK KC7MG _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via [email protected]. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
participants (8)
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alex weimer
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Caleb Smith
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Joe
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John Brier
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Matt nj4y
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Oliver
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R.T.Liddy
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Scott