Re: [amsat-bb] How about this? AO-40 award rewards.

["Margaret Leber (KB3DXS)" <maggie@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Timothy J Salo wrote:

> It seems like disallowing the use of AO-40 for Field Day points may
> make a lot more sense, at least based on the chatter on this list.

I don't think totally disallowing *any* sat--even a LEO FM bird--for FD makes
sense. FD operations do a lot to promote awareness by the public and involvement
by hams in amateur radio satellites. AMSAT-NA has requested comments and
suggestions for changes to the rules for Field Day on the the FM birds.

But structuring the rules to shape the traffic demand *does* make sense. I only
mentioned the FD embroglio in this connection because it's a vivid demonstration
of how a contest can drive traffic demand onto a sat. I do think AO-40 should be
*allowed* for FD, and being a linear bird it's much less prone to
monopolization. 

But the first operational orbit of AO-40 will see *plenty* of usage; essentially
tossing a contest into the mix along with that may not be a good idea. On the
other hand, the ten QSO's in Vince's suggestion may not really be a lot of
traffic on a many-channeled linear bird when a pass lasts ten hours, as opposed
to a single channel during a 15-minute pass. I'm really new to anything but the
FM sats, so folks with more experience than I in that kind of operation may want
to register their opinions.

*Some* award commemorating this historic occasion is certainly in order. and if
it can generate revenue for the AMSATs, so much the better. 

 73 de Maggie

-- 
     / __     _)      Margaret Stephanie Leber  /"The art of progress   / 
    /(, /|  /|   http://voicenet.com/~maggie   / consists of preserving/  
   /   / | / |  _   _   _    `  _ AOPA 925383 / order amid change and /
  / ) /  |/  |_(_(_(_/_(_/__(__(/_ARRL 39280 / change amid order."   /
 / (_/   '        .-/ .-/       AMSAT 32844 /___ --A.N.Whitehead ___/  
/_______KB3DXS___(_/_(_/______ ICQ 7161096 / <maggie@voicenet.com> /
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