Re: [amsat-bb] under used asset

["Freeman P. Pascal IV" <pascal@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Exchanging grid squares on FO-29 or AO-7?  If that's all you are using 
these two fine birds for then you are wasting your time and their 
batteries.  I have used both these birds for long casual, enjoyable rag 
chews.  I've gotten to know several folks from the long conversations I 
have had.  FO-29 in particular is a nice bird for group or round table 
QSOs.  Many times I have looked forward to the next pass to continue the 
conversations.

I have even used AO-51 to rag chew on late night passes when there have 
only been two or three of us on the bird.

Granted a HEO would be nice, but to discount the availability and 
usability of AO-7, FO-29, or any other LEO is plain silly.

I won't say that AO-51 got me into satellites.  All of the birds got me 
into working satellites.  I came in just after AO-40 died, that didn't 
discourage me.  Because of satellites I am now much more active in ham 
radio as a whole, as an AMSAT area coordinator, and now as the VP of our 
local radio club.  I have given talks several times sharing ham radio 
and satellites with hams and non-hams.  After twenty five years of doing 
nothing in ham radio other than keeping my license renewed, it was 
satellites that got me back into the hobby and got me over my fear of 
keying the stupid mic.

For those who are involved in funding, building, and managing our fleet 
- Thank You!


-Freeman, N5FPP

P.S.  - It's funny how little of substance can be said in the longest 
rag chew sessions I have heard on 80m.  I expect a HEO would be much the 
same.

n6ors wrote:

>Bob,
>I have to agree with Pat, Using Leo's is like having fieldday every
>day,  Its fun once a year
>but exchanging grid sq's every few seconds gets old fast. If we did
>field day every day it would
>start to suck too. Getting on heo's is no longer any more difficult then
>Leo's but allow long enough
>coverage to have real conversations and roundtables.  My gear and
>projects are on temporary
>hiatus till an Heo goes up too.
>
>Keith N6ORS
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