Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site allegra.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!genrad!grkermit!masscomp!clyde!floyd!harpo!eagle!allegra!karn
From: karn@allegra.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.ham-radio
Subject: Re: W5LFL - heard QRM, not Owen
Message-ID: <2049@allegra.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 30-Nov-83 20:23:57 EST
Article-I.D.: allegra.2049
Posted: Wed Nov 30 20:23:57 1983
Date-Received: Fri, 2-Dec-83 07:09:54 EST
References: <846@inuxc.UUCP> <1659@ihuxf.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill
Lines: 26

The same phenomenon is happening in the New York area (QRM on
145.55mhz).  It has bordered on becoming a real zoo.  Unfortunately this
is precisely what many people were afraid of; there are probably more
scanners among the general public out there listening than have ever
been tuned to the 2 meter band, and look at the impression that is being
made.  There were just as many people saying "Keep the frequency clear,
you $%#@@$#@!!" as were calling W5LFL on 145.55 mhz, even though 
the shuttle was over Australia!!  On the other hand, judging by how
quickly the channels from 144.91 to 145.09 filled up precisely on the
odd minutes with calls during the actual passes, I believe that the turkeys
were in the minority; there were many more people who did know proper
procedure.

I also found when I broke in (during times that I knew STS-9 to be
below the horizon, of course) and announced the exact rise and set
times, along with the fact that Owen will not listen to his downlink
frequency, and was probably not even on at the time, people appreciated
the information and the garbage seemed to subside quite a bit.  Once
everybody knew when the actual rise and set times were, there was
very little QRM on 145.55 during actual passes.

If you have patience, access to up-to-date orbital information and an
authoratative-sounding voice, you may be able to do the same
in your local area.

Phil