RE: No More Mode "A" Please.

[Kevin Muenzler <wb5rue@xxxxxxxx>]

On Wednesday, February 25, 1998 4:14 AM, jjensen wrote:
> Brook, as I read your comments below, two of your points stand out that are
> of significance in this discussion...  You mention that "Like many new
> hams, I had limited resources..."
> You also mention that HF operators are attracted to the RS birds... OK, you
> didn't put it quite that nicely, but that's the substance of it.  Both are
> excellent reasons to continue supporting Mode A's and the like.  We need
> the support that these types of operations generate.  

> I too enjoy satellite operation due in part to the calibre of ham that can
> be found on the birds.  This because a certain amount of expertise is
> required to operate via satellite.  But to support the more "exotic" forms
> of satellite communication, we need to keep the "rank and file" interested.
> 
> 73 de Joel, W0JDJ
> AMSAT #1795
> 
 
Be careful Joel when you talk about the "caliber" of hams on satellites.  
You might be branded as a "racist" or something like the pro-code people 
on the USENET groups.  Let's not let this thread degenerate into something 
like that please.  

I can understand Brook's points against a Mode A bird, Mode A birds are
excellent for the beginning ham that wants to get into satellite 
communications.  Yes they can cause QRM for the more exotic birds such 
as AO-10 but that's life in the big city, no one is guaranteed a QRM 
free QSO.  I know when RS-12 went to Mode KA (15/2 up - 10 down) some 
time ago the people on 15 meters hated it too.  The biggest problem is 
that you have hams transmitting on 15 and listening on 10 and NOT listening 
on 15 for the QSO they just trashed.  I've had direct experience with 
an S-9+ signal jumping right into the middle of my QSO and calling CQ 
RS12 CQ RS12....  Of course this hasn't been much of a problem until 
recently since the Sun is waking up again.  For a long time RS-12 was in 
Mode KT (15 up and 10/2 down) but that was stopped, presumably because 
of sunspots.  Mode A is ideal for high sunspot times because of less 
possibility for QRM. 

I guess the moral of the story is that we need Mode A birds to get new
hams interest in satellites.  Mode A doesn't need extremely high gain 
antennas, low noise receiver/pre-amp combinations and such which can be 
quite expensive.  Anyone with an HF rig and 2-meter all-mode can use 
the Mode A birds.  I have a friend who uses his 2-meter HT into a 25 watt 
amp.  He has a switch between his amp and HT that switches between the 
amp and a dummy load to get pretty good CW.  Now this is not recommended 
but it does work, he almost has his WAS.

Kevin, WB5RUE