Re: [amsat-bb] Future ECHO User Status burst?

["Robert Bruninga" <bruninga@xxxxxxxx>]

>>> "Andrew Glasbrenner"  07/31/04 11:44 PM >>>
>Bob, I don't think your proposal is workable on FM on a 
>non-regular basis.  One guy that didn't get the message, 
>or just doesn't care, can effectively ruin your net. 

Yes, that will always happen, but with the right attitude, it
shouldnt 'ruin' the net, just slow it down a bit.  And in any 
case, it is better to only have to deal with 'one' interfereing
signal than 50.

>...as an example. A very strong KP4 was calling CQ and 
>only replied to one of the many stations that called him.
>How are you gonna work around a situation like that?

1) lead by example
2) not criticize  him on the air
3) work around him as best as possible.

We are going to have those exceptions no matter what
we do.  Our skills as operators are to try to work with 
what we have and try to make things work.

> I would be for an all-portable night on Echo, with legions 
>of AMSATers invading their local soccer fields and parking 
>lots with HTs and Arrows at the ready! 

Yes, That is an excellent opportunity for a planned event.
but, again, only if we do it with planning and forethought.  
Bedlam with 500 5 watt stations is just no different 
than bedlam with 500 1000 watts stations.  A collision
is a collision.  In fact, it is better to have a few 500W ERP
stations so that at least half of the QSO can be completed
easily and make room for others.

The only way to get all these people through is to cut down
on the uplink congestion.  Here is how I would suggest a 
special event for in-the-field QRP ops might be done:

1) Schedule it in advance with posted rules such as the
special event will begin with the rule ONE QSO ONLY.
2) Have a good Killowatt special event moderator
3) The special event moderator (at the shoreline) takes 
    control and gets it rolling simply by announcing the 
    rules and then asks for contacts.
4) If things proceed, and everyone gets a chance, then
    he can open it up for round two....

>Most of the time it is not so bad on the FM birds. I once 
>made over 20 full exchanges on one pass from a rare SD 
>grid. 

Yes, this shows the power and throughput that is possible
when one station is in charge of a special event.  in this
case, your rare grid.  As long as one end is reasonably in
control, a lot of traffic can be successful.

>I've never not been able to make a QSO for an AMSAT 
>demo either. Set it up beforehand and people will listen for 
>you.

Yes, this is all I am asking for.  For us collectively to look 
for opportunities to do special event communications through 
the FM bird on occassions and to have a system in place
for easy and wide dissimination of the schedule on a live
WEB page and packet bulletin downlinks.  or something 
like that..  I dont care what the event is, but just on occassion
it is fulfilling to see a lot of successful transmissions get
through reasonably efficiently and something to monitor and
be proud of.

Another overlooked community is the central USA.  They never
get a 'free pass' like the coasties do (The coast states get
a free pass once a day even!)..  I would think that one
pass every now and then could be dedicated for central states 
only maybe.

Bob, WB4APR
----
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