Hey Gary,
Thanks for this report. I had a pass of FO-29 on Saturday evening virtually all
to myself - or, rather, I didn't hear any other stations, and no one answered
my CQ. If you are referring to the pass that came down the east coast from the
north a little before 11 p.m., local time, last night, that was the same pass I
had no contacts on Saturday evening. I learned later that there was one other
station on the pass, and he worked someone in South America as FO-29 moved
south. By then, I had switched over to VO-52 and at least had a contact. I
thought about trying that pass last night, but didn't because of Saturday night.
One of the primary reasons I have been doing some research/testing on power
levels and gear that is acceptable for satellite operation (and posting what
I've learned here) is because I sense that many amateurs don't try the
satellites because they perceive it to be a game that requires specialized gear
that carries a fairly high price tag. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Admittedly, I have bought used radios exclusively in setting up my station.
That being said, however, my station is capable of working all the available
satellites and modes, and it features computer control for Doppler tuning. I
have well under $2,000 invested, and my station includes a spare radio. That
is, I have picked up two used FT-817NDs and a used FT-857D.
The bottom line is that many hams already have the radio gear they need to work
any of the available satellites. They might have to buy or homebrew an antenna,
but that's probably about it. That's not much of an expense to add space
radio to the mix at any station - and add it effectively. I suspect many folks
believe they need az/el rotors, computer control, all of that. No ... the don't
NEED it. Certainly, those things would be nice to have here at my shack. But I
don't have them, and I'm still working all of the satellites effectively enough
to have 49 states and four continents in the log and confirmed - and I'm
enjoying it immensely.
I hope to hear you on the satellites soon, and I look forward to working you in
CW. I've always enjoyed it, and there is something really special to me about
using a straight key to work another station in CW over a satellite. That's
definitely a mixed metaphor of technology - the old and the new - that is
amazing.
73 to all,
Tim - N3TL
-- Original message from k8...@aol.com: --
I thought I'd check for activity on a late evening FO-29 pass tonight as I
hadn't listened for quite sometime. I heard two 9 land stations who had
the pass entirely to themselves. They were obviously good friends as one of
them indicated his spam filter had probably eaten the other station's
email who had sent pictures. They agreed to go to the Land Line after the
pass
indicating they probably lived fairly close to each other. I did wonder
though where everyone else was on tonight's pass. I probably should have
tuned around more and may have missed some other QSO's.
Anyway, it was great hearing CW being utilized. The doppler however kept
me quite busy at that frequency as I'm not using software. Just two ears
and a pencil.
I've got to cobble something together and get on the air soon. Especially
since I know there are some good CW ops such as the two fine gentlemen I
heard tonight.
73, Gary -K8KFJ-
AMSAT #32574
Sat VUCC #125
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