[amsat-bb] Re: The "One True Rule"

[Jesse Morris <w4mvb@xxxxxxxx>]

Hi,

I know this subject comes up often here on the BB and while I agree with
the "adjust higher frequency" procedure there is a least one case where
it does not work too well.  On Mode A - specifically AO-07 - when the
signal is weak, it is hard to catch up with someone who keeps swishing
the VFO around trying to find themselves.  I is far more effective to
plant the VFO and swish the receiver around while you look for your
downlink.  This is particularly true if your system is marginal.  If you
are having trouble hearing your downlink, often times a better equipped
station can get on your frequency and guide you to the correct downlink
frequency.  After contact has ben established it's not a problem to
return the "tune the highest frequency" procedure.  To me it doesn't make
much sense to transmit up unless you can hear your downlink but if you do
call someone under those conditions, get as close to the uplink 
frequency as calculation permit and stay put until contact is
established.  If you call CQ and can't hear yourself, moving the uplink
frequency around will not help establish contact.  If you stick to a
fixed uplink frequency, experienced operators will find you and get you
on the correct frequency.

On the subject of AO-07 mode A - There are a number of station swishing
VFO's who apparently cannot hear their downlink.  In my view a 10 meter
preamp is required to hear the downlink well enough to have a QSO.  A few
stations have a gain antenna on that frequency but not many.  Most who
think they have a gain antenna, in fact do not.  During the days when
RS-15 was good (?) there were any number of stations who reported that
multi-element beams and quads had more signal off the back of the antenna
at the satellite downlink frequencies,  I always used a simple turnstile
antenna and a HB preamp for RS-15 with good results and when I put the
same system back up for AO-07 it has worked well also.  I would like to
see more stations on mode A.  It's not always easy but what the heck - if
it were easy anyone could do it!

73 de Jess - W4MVB
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