I'm really disappointed in the fact that so many users are ignoring the request to leave the 435.150 downlink open for K5D while over Desecheo. It's really simple, if gridsquare FK68 is in the footprint there shouldn't be any QSOs or calls that don't involve K5D. Once FK68 is out of the footprint, it's QRP rules. If you are not sure when they are out of the footprint, then stand down for the entire pass or until you hear someone say they are out of the footprint.
The consequences of even a few users ignoring this is that others will feel it is OK and pile on, and when K5D does show up they might just not even bother to try to break through the normal chaos.
Satellite operators are considered by many to be the cream of the crop when it comes to ham radio. Let's live up to this and exercise a little self control and make this easy for both us and the DXpedition.
73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations
Andrew Glasbrenner wrote:
I'm really disappointed in the fact that so many users are ignoring the request to leave the 435.150 downlink open for K5D while over Desecheo. It's really simple, if gridsquare FK68 is in the footprint there shouldn't be any QSOs or calls that don't involve K5D. Once FK68 is out of the footprint, it's QRP rules. If you are not sure when they are out of the footprint, then stand down for the entire pass or until you hear someone say they are out of the footprint.
The consequences of even a few users ignoring this is that others will feel it is OK and pile on, and when K5D does show up they might just not even bother to try to break through the normal chaos.
Satellite operators are considered by many to be the cream of the crop when it comes to ham radio. Let's live up to this and exercise a little self control and make this easy for both us and the DXpedition.
73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations
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:-[ Andrew, I am surprised you are disappointed at the satellite users failing to use a satellite as requested. One only has to listen to AO-51 during a normal pass. Several of my friends have tried to contact me using non perfect antennas, low power and they have given up because of the users (more power than a reading lamp) that are on almost every pass not allowing others to communicate. Give a listen and let others try this fascinating mode of ops and add to the satellite users group. Now let's get back to the HEO mode of thinking for future ops and relinquish 10 minute pass jams to the past. Good luck. 73, Dee NB2F NJ AMSAT Co-ordinator
OK, I admit I was one of them - (managed a QSO with 6Y5RA in Jamaica as well!)
But I did think that the QRP repeater was OK to use if K5D were _not on_, and we are told that they are not going to be on until next week!
As one of the first in the country (from SW Florida) to hear AO-51 when its going North, I do listen to ensure that K5D are not operating - I don't expect them to be until next week as I said above so once there is a break in the Spanish language, I assumed it was OK to transmit!
Not really sure how you are going to ensure that no-one uses this mode as how many users to the South of us are AMSAT members or read the AMSAT website pages! Once the bird reaches into the US, listeners are going to hear activity and think its ok to proceed as normal!
David KG4ZLB/M0ZLB www.kg4zlb.com
Andrew Glasbrenner wrote:
I'm really disappointed in the fact that so many users are ignoring the request to leave the 435.150 downlink open for K5D while over Desecheo. It's really simple, if gridsquare FK68 is in the footprint there shouldn't be any QSOs or calls that don't involve K5D. Once FK68 is out of the footprint, it's QRP rules. If you are not sure when they are out of the footprint, then stand down for the entire pass or until you hear someone say they are out of the footprint.
The consequences of even a few users ignoring this is that others will feel it is OK and pile on, and when K5D does show up they might just not even bother to try to break through the normal chaos.
Satellite operators are considered by many to be the cream of the crop when it comes to ham radio. Let's live up to this and exercise a little self control and make this easy for both us and the DXpedition.
73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations
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
OK, I admit I was one of them - (managed a QSO with 6Y5RA in Jamaica as well!)
But I did think that the QRP repeater was OK to use if K5D were _not on_, and we are told that they are not going to be on until next week!
They are not -expected- until later in the dxpedition, but could appear at any time. All it takes is one guy getting bored with HF. The webpage and announcements are pretty clear:
"The second repeater on AO-51 will be activated on February 16 and reserved only for contacts with the K5D Desecheo Island 2009 DXpedition while the satellite is within range of the island." and "(QSOs with KP5 only in sight of Desecheo, QRP use only everywhere else)"
Not really sure how you are going to ensure that no-one uses this mode as how many users to the South of us are AMSAT members or read the AMSAT website pages! Once the bird reaches into the US, listeners are going to hear activity and think its ok to proceed as normal!
The stations to the south have been much better at abiding by the situation than most of the US stations. We have an abundance of members from South and Central America, and most of them read the -bb and webpage for their information same as you or I. I'm not worried about them, since they can work the DXpedition with the US outside of the footprint on any given pass. You are right that if enough people hear business as "normal" at AOS, others will behave the same.
I'm appealing to the professionalism and espirit de corps of this group to please restrain themselves for now, so when they do show up we can all work them peacefully and efficiently. I have a fair amount of time and sweat equity tied up in making this work for everyone else's benefit.
73, Drew KO4MA
I total agree Andrew. I was on as well as you today and thought if K5D was one no one would be able to tell!!! Its not that hard guys. Marv N0FJP
I agree a lot of knit picking going on over nothing. Listen then call. Pretty simple I would think...no one said they would be manning the frequency 24/7...
Back to my solar powered igloo.....
Fred VE3FAL
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of racer5039 Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2009 8:16 PM To: AMSAT BB; Andrew Glasbrenner Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Disappointed
I total agree Andrew. I was on as well as you today and thought if K5D was one no one would be able to tell!!! Its not that hard guys. Marv N0FJP
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I noticed some issues with my KLM 22C a few days ago. SWR seems to be off, and polarity switching seems to do nothing with AO-7's downlink, so I'm thinking there might be an issue with my phasing harness assembly. I took a close look at my 15 year old 22C and noticed the harness appears to be connected , but the circuit board looks to be in very poor condition, after so many years of service. So, does anyone have any experience successfully rebuilding, or finding a suitable replacement for the phasing harness board assembly? Or worst case, is their another 13 dBdc plus gain cross yagi on the market that would be a good replacement? I'm looking at the 2MCP22 by M2, I was just wondering if their were some other choices. Any and all useful information would be appreciated.
73 Jeff kb2m
'THE' NJ AMSAT coordinator
jeff kb2m wrote:
I noticed some issues with my KLM 22C a few days ago. SWR seems to be off, and polarity switching seems to do nothing with AO-7's downlink, so I'm thinking there might be an issue with my phasing harness assembly. I took a close look at my 15 year old 22C and noticed the harness appears to be connected , but the circuit board looks to be in very poor condition, after so many years of service. So, does anyone have any experience successfully rebuilding, or finding a suitable replacement for the phasing harness board assembly? Or worst case, is their another 13 dBdc plus gain cross yagi on the market that would be a good replacement? I'm looking at the 2MCP22 by M2, I was just wondering if their were some other choices. Any and all useful information would be appreciated.
73 Jeff kb2m
'THE' NJ AMSAT coordinator
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Jeff, I recently took my antennas off my roof and gave the antenna a rework and cleaning of the phasing harness PCB. It needed it too! Works much better after a rework... 73, Dee "THE OTHER" NJ AMSAT coordinator
At 05:53 PM 2/17/2009, jeff kb2m wrote:
So, does anyone have any experience successfully rebuilding, or finding a suitable replacement for the phasing harness board assembly?
This is a common problem. The traces etch away. ...especially if you leave the 12V turned on, ie relay energized, when you're not using the thing! The board is not well protected against weather. Moisture on the board conducts some electricity and just etches the traces away over time. Just clean up the board and solder some wire on top of the traces, or where the traces usta be. You won't harm anything by soldering some wire on the board. The dimensions of the wire you'll add are small relative to 2M wavelength, so won't cause any degradation, detuning, etc. I had to replace the relay once too.
participants (7)
-
Andrew Glasbrenner -
David - KG4ZLB/MØZLB -
Dee -
Franklin Antonio -
Fred VE3FAL -
jeff kb2m -
racer5039