Re: [amsat-bb] QRP get no breaks. Huh? (was Re:...)

["James R. Duffey" <JamesDuffey@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Kevin - This is not a problem with Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites; it is
the result of transponders that can only support a single QSO at a time. It
would be much the same if AO-51 were in a HEO. High power operators would
just have a larger window to monopolize the bird and those who call and
don't listen would have longer periods of time to complain about not being
able to make a contact.

When the transponders can support many QSOs at a time, then the QSOs become
more interesting, DX and grid square chasing become more attractive, less
disruptive and more productive, and there is greater availability of the
bird, particularly to marginally equipped stations.  For power
considerations, a shift from FM to linear modes, CW or SSB is required, but
multimode VHF/UHF rigs are common these days.

The FM birds are great to get newcomers interested in satellite operation.
What is missing is getting these newcomers to take the next step and get
into satellites like FO-29 that support good linear operation. I am not sure
how this can be accomplished, but it needs to be done.

In principle, it should not be difficult to make the transition.  Multimode
2 M and 70 cm rigs are common these days. The advantages of linear operation
are significant. The price one pays is learning about pointing antennas and
doppler. But many FMers do this already.

Why then don't more hams make the transition from the FM birds to linear
birds?  

I suspect that much of the problem is the lack of continuously available
amateur satellites with easily accessible linear transponders. For many
years, Mode A served as an entry mode to linear transponders, and there were
more or less continuously available satellites with Mode A on them for
almost 25 years. With the demise of RS12 this has been absent. These
satellites were easily worked with simple gear that most hams had, and
omnidirectional antennas could be used. It was more likely that hams could
work these satellites with equipment thy had, without learning new skills.

A number of years ago, AMSAT ceded building these simple linear satellites
to XXSAT organizations in other countries, like Russia with the RS series,
and decided to concentrate on the high tech end of satellites and amateur
transponders. This was a good decision and I supported it at the time.
However, with the exception of the RS birds, other countries did not follow
the AMSAT model and preferred to develop the high tech aspects of satellite
operation as well. This was good, it has resulted in a large number of
amateur satellites and digital transponders over the last 15 years.

A simple, easy to access, say 25 to 50 W ERP, linear translator would go a
long ways to resolving a lot of problems. It doesn't mhave to be Mode A or
LEO, but both those have proven satisfactory in the past. - Duffey


______________________
James R. Duffey KK6MC/5
AMSAT LM 1718
Cedar Crest NM 87008 DM65
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