Adding new satellites & Getting back to basics
I realize not everyone is a computer expert. I recognize that we live in the days of appliance-operator hams, myself included. It surprises me the number of individuals who post on this BB without first reading the fine manuals provided with their applications or looking at relevant, redundant emails posted within 72 hours.
With the recent flutter of BB email activity over working AO-73, it surprises me the number of individuals solely dependent on using a computer to communicate via a satellite.
Gone are the days of the manual transmission -- most individuals now drive an automatic and have forgotten to use their clutch.
I would encourage people to step back to the basics a little bit. Try to work in "Manual" for a while. Brush up on your tracking skills, both by ear and by signal strength. Understand that not all of us are sitting behind a computer with a fully automated station, antennas to work Neptune, a receiver to hear the moon, and an amplifier to reach Pluto.
My intent is not to disparage those who have a nice OSCAR-class station. By all means, enjoy it.
I hear frequently in the post-HEO era that "Doppler is too difficult on LEO's." If you need an elmer there are plenty of active operators here on the BB who would be willing to lend a helping hand.
Don't forget the acronym KISS and its definition. Sometimes simplicity brings with it a little fun.
73, Clayton W5PFG
Well said Clayton. I used manual tuning for ten years before I started with computer control. Egon VE6EGN
----- Original Message ----- From: "Clayton Coleman" kayakfishtx@gmail.com To: "AMSAT-BB" amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Sunday, November 24, 2013 3:24 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Adding new satellites & Getting back to basics
I realize not everyone is a computer expert. I recognize that we live in the days of appliance-operator hams, myself included. It surprises me the number of individuals who post on this BB without first reading the fine manuals provided with their applications or looking at relevant, redundant emails posted within 72 hours.
With the recent flutter of BB email activity over working AO-73, it surprises me the number of individuals solely dependent on using a computer to communicate via a satellite.
Gone are the days of the manual transmission -- most individuals now drive an automatic and have forgotten to use their clutch.
I would encourage people to step back to the basics a little bit. Try to work in "Manual" for a while. Brush up on your tracking skills, both by ear and by signal strength. Understand that not all of us are sitting behind a computer with a fully automated station, antennas to work Neptune, a receiver to hear the moon, and an amplifier to reach Pluto.
My intent is not to disparage those who have a nice OSCAR-class station. By all means, enjoy it.
I hear frequently in the post-HEO era that "Doppler is too difficult on LEO's." If you need an elmer there are plenty of active operators here on the BB who would be willing to lend a helping hand.
Don't forget the acronym KISS and its definition. Sometimes simplicity brings with it a little fun.
73, Clayton W5PFG _______________________________________________ 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
No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4117 / Virus Database: 3604/6740 - Release Date: 10/10/13 Internal Virus Database is out of date.
participants (2)
-
Clayton Coleman -
egon