Re: [amsat-bb] Re: Stop Your Whining Already! / Satellite FIeldDay!

[Jon Ogden <jono@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

on 7/6/00 11:07 AM, Scott E Olitsky at solitsky@acsu.buffalo.edu wrote:

> On an FM satellite the biggest guy wins each
> time.  I have lost interest in DX pileups andFM satellites have become far
> less enjoyable for the same reason.  There is just not that much challenge
> in putting together a station that will run more power to the bird, there
> leaves little operator skill to work them.

NO! NO! NO! NO!

That just isn't true!

If I am running 100 Watts to 22 elements to the bird and it is at a LOW
angle pass for me while you are running 5 watts to 3 elements and it is
directly overhead for you, YOU MIGHT BE THE BIGGER STATION!!!  Guys,
understand that working a satellite is NOT a linear thing.  People with
overhead passes are far more able to work the bird better than those who
have low angle passes.  It's the difference of the satellite being a few
hundred miles away vs a few thousand!

So bigger is NOT always better.  Please guys, get it out of your heads!

Also, regarding DX pileups, the biggest guy doesn't always win.  I've
managed to prove that.  I've also been a big guy and worked the DX first.
In fact, once the DX works the "few" big guys (and believe me, the number of
guys with 100 W and a dipole is FAR more than the big guns) then we get out
of the way and let everyone else slug it out.  It's called patience.

Anyhow, please guys, learn the concept of path loss.  Working a bird even
while in its footprint is far different from working your local FM repeater.

73,

Jon
NA9D

-------------------------------------
Jon Ogden
NA9D (ex: KE9NA)

Member:  ARRL, AMSAT, DXCC, NRA

http://www.qsl.net/ke9na

"A life lived in fear is a life half lived."

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