RE: [amsat-bb] FM Satellite Etiquette

["Bruce Paige" <kk5do@xxxxxxxx>]

comments like this are just too funny. kd5fba works ao27 and uo14 almost 
every day from his construction site with an icom w32a and pryme al-800 
antenna. 5 watts at the best. i used to operate every week day as well from 
my job using an icom w32a and pryme al-800 antenna. made at least 5-10 
contacts on each pass with no problems. 

i think the problem here is the inexperienced operators think that you have to 
have 1500 watts to do anything. this is a common misconception when there 
is a lack of operating experience. just ask w2rs about his equipment. he gets 
in with his ht and a bullet antenna (1" rubber duck that looks like a bullet on 
top the radio). during the amsat symposium in portland, maine, there were a 
dozen of us in the parking lot all with ht's all with arrow or pryme antennas and 
we all got into the satellite. maybe it was becase there were 12 of us all 
transmitting that our 5 watt ht's had increased gain for those around us. but i 
doubt it.

i would never advocate that people use 1500 watts into a satellite...geesh.

some of the problems on the evening and weekend passes is not that you 
need the power, yes you do have to wait until the mexican taxi is done 
transmitting. but there are many more people on the satellite than during 
weekday passes. we are having the same problem with the iss digi right 
now. it is not a problem with having enough power because most of the 
people digipeating right now are using 5 watts. it is because there are just 
too many signals trying for that one spot. 

practice during daytime passes with your ht and rubber duck. 

73...bruce
From:           	"Red Johnson" <redj@adelphia.net>
To:             	"Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL" <vlfiscus@mcn.net>, <amsat-bb@AMSAT.Org>
Subject:        	RE: [amsat-bb] FM Satellite Etiquette
Date sent:      	Mon, 16 Apr 2001 12:02:31 -0400

> If you don't want to work anyone...now if you want to get one or two
> contacts, go for at least 1500 Watts ERP.  Get yourself some hardline, all
> the mods possible for your rig, pre-amps mast mounted are a must, and, of
> course, a linear capable of capturing the sats no matter who else might want to
> give it a try.  This will soon make you eligible for the fabulous "Hi Jim, Hi
> George" 5000 times award!  Good luck and happy frustration!
> 
> 73 de K1RED/WS1J
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-AMSAT-BB@AMSAT.Org [mailto:owner-AMSAT-BB@AMSAT.Org]On
> Behalf Of Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL
> Sent: Monday, April 16, 2001 11:02 AM
> To: amsat-bb@AMSAT.Org
> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] FM Satellite Etiquette
> 
> 
> At 08:43 AM 4/15/01 -0700, Paul Weiss <p_weiss@yahoo.com> wrote:
> 
> >How much ERP does a station really need?
> 
> 
> Five watts into a rubber-duck should work just fine.
> 
> 
> 
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============================================================================
Bruce Paige, KK5DO                    Internet: kk5do@arrl.net 
Houston, Texas                                  kk5do@amsat.org 
AMSAT Area Coordinator                          kk5do@amsatnet.com
ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE                     
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