Re: [amsat-bb] Pro FM birds!

[Mike Gilchrist <kf4fdj@xxxxxxxxx>]

At 10:14 PM 7/22/2002 +0200, W.J. Ubbels wrote:
>Hello,
>
>I just made my first uo-14 contact from Holland, after being frustrated
>that the rubberduck from my th-f7 wasn't enough, over the weekend I made
>an Arrow-style dualband antenna, and it works great.
>The contact succeeded when the bird was just about to disappear beyond the
>horizon.
>rx was an icom ic-r2
>As you can imagine, I am delighted with the performance.
>
>73
>
>Wouter
>PE4WJ

Congratulations Wouter!  Now you are a real satellite operator!  When I 
read a post like your's, it confirms in my mind there is room for easy sats 
in the AMSAT fleet.  You set a goal, worked at it, and succeeded.  Way to go!

Not every one can assemble or even wants to have a world class Oscar 
station.  Several years ago I wrote a concise guide to working the easy 
sats.  I would like to paste a portion of it here to reinforce your zeal 
for satellite operation, and as a reminder to those seasoned operators who 
may have forgotten how incredible the first contact can be.


Procedures for the successful operator:

Here are some parting thoughts on how to help ensure you will be a
successful operator on the easy sats. As with all things in life, careful
planning, thoughtful attention to your skills, and a friendly style will
help assure you of many hours of satisfying satellite operation.

1) Operators who only put their call out are seldom picked out of the crowd
and engaged in a QSO. Instead, pick a station and call them specifically.
Try to time your transmission so you jump right in when the last QSO clears.

2) Rehearse what you're going to say. When the bird is yours, speak loudly,
clearly, and to the point. Excess "umm, ahh, well, ah" transmissions will
only cause other operators to ignore you, especially on a busy bird.

3) Don't call CQ. If there is at least one other operator out there, they
will hear you. Reserve calling CQ for the linear birds where one must hunt
up and down the transponder for a signal. If you are calling CQ, most
operators assume you can't hear the bird.

4) Use email and posts to the BB as an effective means to increase your
chances. Pick a regular, and send them an email. You might want to tell
them you are going to be QRP portable on AO27, SO-35 or UO14 the second
pass tomorrow, and ask then to listen for you. Many times such a technique
will open the door, and other operators who have heard your call and grid
will call you as well.

Usually, when an operator posts they are going to be working a special
events stations, or a rare grid, or from a unique operating position, they
generate traffic. Try announcing you will be working mass transit
portable. :-)

5) Use a gain antenna, properly oriented and pointed at the satellite. Move
around and optimize your position. Many times unseen elements affect the
antenna pattern, and moving a few feet makes all the difference.

6) Invest in a preamplifier. Many times it makes the difference between
being able to work the bird or not. If you can't hear it, you can't work
it! (see #3)

7) Be polite and thank the other operator for the QSO. Nice guys DO win,
and will be given a second chance.

8) If another operator calls a station, and you hear them, wait a second
before "grabbing" the bird. If you jump in too soon, you will acquire a bad
reputation and other operators will avoid you.

I think many times the case is an operator does NOT hear the initial call,
instead of a callous disregard for decorum, which stems from having a poor
downlink. (see #6) There are several frustrated operators out there who fit
this model, and believe me, they ARE ignored. There IS a culture on the
easy sats, and a little time spent monitoring and learning this culture
will be time well spent.

9) Don't whine. If you whine here, or on the satellites, you might acquire
a bad reputation and other operators will avoid you. If someone else tries
to engage you in negativism here or on the birds, dismiss them. Do not
enter into negative dialog, period. Generally negativism comes from
failure. Encourage them to improve their lot, and become a winner.

So, the well equipped operator, who is polite, persistent, speaks clearly,
and gets to the point is the operator who will have most success as a
portable satellite operator.


73, and think positively - Mike



----
Via the amsat-bb mailing list at AMSAT.ORG courtesy of AMSAT-NA.
To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe amsat-bb" to Majordomo@amsat.org