[amsat-bb] leo passes and elmering

["Bruce Paige" <kk5do@xxxxxxxxx>]

well, here is a proposition of all you satellite fans. 

there are lot's and lot's of new people trying the satellites. this is good. good 
for the hobby and good for those that are trying to get an award. but it is 
sometimes bad when they do not have the correct procedures. 

so...what is the proposition....

while you are working a pass, listen for a newcommer....okay, found him/her. 
now see if they are making contacts and seem to have the mechanics down. 
if so, go ahead and work them. 

if not....go to www.qrz.com, enter their call and find their email address. send 
them an email and tell them you heard them on the satellite and they 
seemed to be having a bit of trouble. you think so because you heard them 
call cq or you heard them giving out their call over and over and not making 
any contacts and you suspect that they could not hear the satellite. ask if 
they had trouble correcting for doppler or if they need a bit of help. 

you will be surprised...i have done one or two people on every pass of the 
satellite and yes, you can tell the new people quite easily. they all asked a 
few questions. their problems ranged from not hearing the satellite at all and 
thinking no one was home to not knowing they didn't have to call cq to 
thinking that only one person could talk at a time and it was just like a 
repeater on the ground. or even...there is no one for miles around to ask a 
question of.

if we all take the time to help these guys and gals out, then when p3d gets 
up there, they will want to spend some money on a rig that will get them up 
there and we will be able to grow the hobby in a positive way.

many of them hear about the birds from friends, from qst, from arrl audio 
news etc and want to give it a try. it is easy but they need a few pointers to 
get it right. 

let's elmer our buddies and make satellite operating more fun.

73...bruce



============================================================================
Bruce Paige, KK5DO                      Internet: kk5do@amsat.org
Houston, Texas                                or: kk5do@houston.rr.com
AMSAT Area Coordinator                      
ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE                     
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