Satgen605  29MHz sats FM Menace  by GM4IHJ  (BID SGEN605) 2000-10-28

Despite the fact that this solar cycle peak is not producing much
super terrestrial DX on 6m and 10m. It is bringing out the worst of
the "FM splash all over the band merchants", and such is their
destructive potential that they have almost completely ruined any
chance of sub horizon DX on satellite RS13s 29.458 to 29.5 MHz
downlink.

This is a great pity because RS13 has been putting signals into UK
almost every day , as it has passed south of Australia and New
Zealand . Unfortunately the weak satellite downlink is no match for
the 30 over nine FM, spreading over many kilohertz of the satellite
downlink. A problem made all the worse because the bandplan
frequencies designated for FM just below 29.3 MHz have been empty
whilst this FM QRM was present.

Once strong FMers take over a frequency the rest gather round in
droves . Probably because they are the sort of radio amateurs who do
not even know there is a recommended bandplan. Operating procedure is
also somewhat quaint . Eg 9H replying after lengthy monologue from G
. " Given the state of the band I missed a lot of that". Which as you
will not be surprised to hear was followed by an even longer second
over from the G.

It is appreciated that wise Europeans will say that it will all be OK
when we get S band. But the kids here cannot afford S band . So what
can we do ? Certainly we can try to get the word out to the FMers ,
who are probably totally unaware of the devastation this mixing of 
modes causes. If you know G4XSM, G0AOI , 9HIDE and EA7FET , you might
please remind them about the reason for band plans. They are not the
only folks concerned. But if we can get some of the FMers aware of
the problem , it might just be possible to get some good sub horizon
satellite DX on 10m before it disappears for another 11 years.

REQUIEM FOR MIR. It was stated somewhat tentatively ( and as it
turned out incorrectly), in Satgen 604. That the Mir space station
might be a good 143.625 MHz downlink during year 2001. But on the day
that Satgen appeared , the Russian authorities stated finally and
firmly that far from operating in 2001, Mir will be de orbited. Not
surprising really. All the talk of it becoming " A prize trip for a
TV Games Show contestant", did seem rather over the top. Would anyone
really want to camp out for a week in the equivalent of a 14 year old
fire damaged leaky automobile, at an altitude of 1,000,000 ft ?

The Russians have done a superb job of keeping it working this long.
Most of us trade in our tin after 10 years on the road , ( or far
less,  the IHJ average over 40 years is , 5 vehicles at about 8 years
or less ). So the Russian record is outstanding. Indeed between 1960
and 1986 there were 7 stations in the Salyut series, before Mir came
along. Yes Mir will be missed. No more chats with the Sable Island
guardships. No more serenades from Romenenko or broadcasts of his
engineer companions heart beats. Lets hope ISS is just as
interesting. But let Mir RIP, with our grateful thanks.