I’ve typed up a fairly simple “do’s and don’ts” guide to working AO-51. The guide focuses more on etiquette and operational guidelines rather then technical ideas, because there are already some excellent guides out there for the new user to read up on. That, and my technical setup leaves much to be desired.
This was more or less concieved one night in #amsat while discussing the operational issues on AO-51. The satellite is a very good, very easy satellite to get into, however, the more people jam on, the harder it is for people to use it. So, myself, John (KB2HSH), Charles (N3CRT), and Mark (KF6KYI) all tossed around ideas on what is more a less a good “code of conduct” for AO-51 operation.
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I sure wish everyone using AO-51 and the other FM satellites will read up and follow the guide. It seems that many just pick up a handheld and try to talk. I don’t think there are any full duplex handheld rigs on the market right now, but the Icom IC-W32 and Kenwood TH-D7 can be found 2nd hand quite often, sometimes with dead batteries. Most of the dual band / dual receive mobile rigs will do cross band full duplex. I use a Kenwood TM-D700 fixed & portable, and a TM-D710 mobile.
Posted by Joseph M. Durnal on October 21st, 2008.