June 2009 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

LogSat Y2k???
by RFI-EMI-GUY 04 Jun '09

04 Jun '09

Anyone still using LogSat out there? I have version 5.2.61 with the Y2K patches installed. I am running WINXP OS. This has been a very good program for me over the years. I like how it works. I just got through updating the KEPS etc so that I could print out some satellite predictions. All worked well until I fine tuned the time to GMT using the time setting utility in the program that queues up the system clock. (This utility has only two digits for the year.). I printed out about 10 pages of work and then turned on my browser and found the Yahoo security certificate had expired. In checking the system clock under windows the year was 3909! Has anyone encountered this bug? Also the DST box has to be checked to get correct GMT - Strange?? -- Joe Leikhim K4SAT "The RFI-EMI-GUY"© "Use only Genuine Interocitor Parts" Tom Servo ;-P

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AO-7 milliwatt CW
by n3tl＠bellsouth.net 04 Jun '09

04 Jun '09

Hey everyone, I worked the AO-7 pass just after 00:00 UTC here because it had a maximum elevation for me of almost 89 degrees. I wanted to see how much, if any, my ability to work would expand when runninng a half-watt if a used CW instead of SSB. On this pass, at least, I had a copyable signal from 30 degrees to 30 degrees, and made a partial contact at 00:15 UTC with a station whose call sign I did not fully copy - which is totally my fault. The call was WA4 (or, at least, that's what I copied), but I didn't catch the suffix. The signal faded slightly, and I didn't ask for a repeat. That's embarrassing, and I apologize to the operator for that. When he called me, AO-7 was below 35 degrees. I reported a 589 to him, and he gave me a 559, which exceeded my expectations. When we finished the QSO, AO-7 was at 28 degrees elevation to my location, and I faded into the noise. It'll take a few more passes, at least, to say with some measure of certainty, but it appears that, for my station, I probably can expect to have workable signals at a half-watt out on AO-7 at 50 degrees elevation and above in SSB, and at 30 degrees elevation and above in CW. Given the compromises I choose to have with a fully portable station, that's not to bad for milliwatts. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL

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need 3SK121Y or similar for icom AG-25
by Raul Romero 04 Jun '09

04 Jun '09

need 3sk121y any have unit sold need 2 unit in my country not have tnx Raul CA3SOC

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GO-32 back to V4.2
by Mark L. Hammond 04 Jun '09

04 Jun '09

FYI...GO-32 is back to it's more "routine" version: [6/3/2009 12:24:16 AM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 70000000004008100040000400000000005C0E0200 [6/3/2009 12:24:46 AM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 70000000004008100040000400000000005C0E0200 [6/3/2009 12:25:16 AM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 70000000004008100040000400000000005E0E0200 [6/3/2009 12:25:46 AM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 7000000000400810004000040000000000620E0200 [6/3/2009 12:26:16 AM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 70000000004008100040000400000000005C0E0200 [6/3/2009 12:26:46 AM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 7000000000400810004000040000000000490E0200 [6/3/2009 12:27:16 AM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 7000000000400810004000040000000000400E0200 [6/3/2009 12:27:46 AM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 7000000000400810004000040000000000590E0200 [6/3/2009 12:29:16 AM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 70000000004008100040000400000000003E0E0200 [6/3/2009 12:42:51 PM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 7000000000400810004000040000000000A00E0300 [6/3/2009 12:43:51 PM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 70000000004008100040000400000000009B0E0300 [6/3/2009 12:44:21 PM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 70000000004008100040000400000000009A0E0300 [6/3/2009 12:44:51 PM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 70000000004008100040000400000000009A0E0300 [6/3/2009 12:45:21 PM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 7000000000400810004000040000000000980E0300 [6/3/2009 12:45:51 PM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 7000000000400810004000040000000000940E0300 [6/3/2009 12:46:21 PM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 7000000000400810004000040000000000900E0300 [6/3/2009 12:46:51 PM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 70000000004008100040000400000000008D0E0300 [6/3/2009 12:47:21 PM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 7000000000400810004000040000000000880E0300 [6/3/2009 12:47:51 PM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 7000000000400810004000040000000000830E0300 [6/3/2009 12:48:21 PM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 70000000004008100040000400000000007E0E0300 [6/3/2009 12:48:51 PM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 7000000000400810004000040000000000790E0300 [6/3/2009 12:49:21 PM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 7000000000400810004000040000000000740E0300 [6/4/2009 12:00:55 AM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 7000000000400810004000040000000000400E0200 [6/4/2009 12:01:25 AM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 70000000004008100040000400000000003C0E0200 [6/4/2009 12:01:55 AM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 7000000000400810004000040000000000360E0200 [6/4/2009 12:02:25 AM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 70000000004008100040000400000000003D0E0200 [6/4/2009 12:02:55 AM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 7000000000400810004000040000000000340E0200 [6/4/2009 12:03:25 AM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 7000000000400810004000040000000000390E0200 [6/4/2009 12:03:55 AM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 70000000004008100040000400000000003A0E0200 [6/4/2009 12:04:25 AM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 7000000000400810004000040000000000550E0200 [6/4/2009 12:04:55 AM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 70000000004008100040000400000000006C0E0200 [6/4/2009 12:05:55 AM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 70000000004008100040000400000000003A0E0200 [6/4/2009 12:06:25 AM] [BEACON] TechSat-V4.2 7000000000400810004000040000000000380E0200 Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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Card checkers in Florida
by Sebastian 03 Jun '09

03 Jun '09

Last year when I had enough cards for 6 meters VUCC, it took me a few weeks to find a card checker. The list I received from the ARRL had a lot of emails that bounced, and I received a lot of responses saying "I no longer check cards". I finally found one after about 8 attempts and all went well. I now have more than enough cards to qualify for satellite VUCC, and I emailed the card checker who I used last year for 6 meters a couple of weeks ago, and have not heard a response. So is there an ARRL card checker in Florida, or near Florida who can help me please? The ARRL didn't seem to be too concerned that their list was not up to date (based on not even receiving a reply from them, and even after offering my services to be a card checker), so I figure someone on here is either a card checker, or has used one recently. 73 de W4AS Sebastian

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Re: AMSAT-India VO-52 Award
by Rodney Waln 03 Jun '09

03 Jun '09

mine arrived today also, very nice, and thanks for providing vo-52 (hamsat) for all hams to enjoy,

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N3TL
by Peter 03 Jun '09

03 Jun '09

Tim, We enjoyed listening for your signal on AO-7 today, you embody the spirit of adventure and experimentation that gave rise to AMSAT and the Satellite program. Tim, it is a learning experience for all of us to be part of your expanding the horizons of possibility, thank you and keep exploring and asking, why not! 73, Pete, WB2OQQ

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AO-7 Milliwatt Report
by n3tl＠bellsouth.net 03 Jun '09

03 Jun '09

Hey everyone, My thanks to K8YSE, who heard my faint CQ on AO-7 at 13:16 UTC this morning and called me. We had a contact that lasted about a minute with a few exchanges, which is really a thrill here because I was transmitting a half-watt out on a Yaesu FT-817ND. As I suspected from the "test run" the other night, my setup here requires that AO-7 reach roughly 50 degrees elevation before I can hear myself at all on this lowest-of-all power settings for my SSB/CW satellite station. I also suspect I can lower that elevation some by working CW instead of SSB, and I intend to find out on the next really high pass over me. Thanks, too, to Rick, WA4NVM, Pete, WB2OQQ, and others who were listening for me on the pass. By and large, the AMSAT community comprises wonderful folks who are always willing and enthusiastic to help out whenever I get a wild hair to try something on the satellites. I appreciate all of you very much. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL

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LabJack problem
by Steve kb9ups 03 Jun '09

03 Jun '09

Hello All, When connecting the LabJack/piggy back unit to NOVA I get "Devise not reconized" ? Using Windows XP. Can someone help? Steve/kb9ups ARISS Mentor AMSAT area coordinator, Toledo, Oh. AMSAT area coordinator, Streator, IL. www.qsl.net/kb9ups ------------------------------------------------------------ Credit Report Click to find information on your credit score and your credit report. http://tagline.excite.com/fc/FgElN1gywKiP9qJujeYtFEFwyCxmTTi5Z7AmJ2pEu1L9Jb…

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Re: true duplex radios
by Mark L. Hammond 03 Jun '09

03 Jun '09

Nice work, Andrew. Somebody mentioned the Kenwood TS-790A/E previously (a base unit), but I don't think I see it on your current list. It's an important addition :) 73, Mark N8MH > Message: 1 > Date: Mon, 1 Jun 2009 18:21:11 -0500 > From: Andrew Koenig <ke5gdb(a)gmail.com> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: true duplex radios > Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Message-ID: > <2f52b89b0906011621x4b3e196am67c249935884539f(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > Here's my attempt of to update the list of full duplex capable radios. Did I > miss anything? > > > HTs - > Icom IC-W2A > Icom IC-W31A > Icom IC-W32 > Icom IC-Z1A > Icom IC-X2A (440MHz/1.2GHz) > Yaesu FT-470 > Yaesu FT-530 > Yaesu FR-51R > Kenwood TH-D7 > Kenwood TH-75A > Kenwood TH-77 > Kenwood TH-78 > Alinco DJ-G5T > Alinco DJ-580T > Alinco DJ-G7 > > > Mobile rigs - > Kenwood TM732 > Kenwood TM733 > Kenwood TM741 > Kenwood TM742 > Kenwood TM941 > Kenwood TM942 > Kenwood TM-D700/710 > Yaesu FT-4700 > Yaesu FT-5100 > Yaesu FT-5200 > Yaesu FT-8800 > Yaesu FT-8900 > Icom 2728H > Icom IC2800 > Icom IC-2340 > Icom IC-2720 > Icom IC-2820 > Icom IC-Delta-100 > Heathkit HW-24/HW-24A > > Base rigs - > Yaesu FT-726 (with OSCAR Module) > Yaesu FT-736 > Yaesu FT-847 > Kenwood TS-2000 > Icom 820 > Icom 821 > Icom IC-910H > Icom IC-970 > > -- > Andrew Koenig > KE5GDB

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Full Duplex vs Cross Band - definitions
by jrivett＠drivehq.com 03 Jun '09

03 Jun '09

Hi Sil, In the world of data comms (not radio), the meanings of terms are generally as follows : Simplex = One direction only ( A to B only, never in the other direction ) eg a broadcast, NOAA WX stations, etc HDX Half Duplex = Alternating on both directions, e.g A to B, turnaround, B to A, turnaround, A to B, and so on ..... FDX Full Duplex = simultaneously in both directions at same time, A to B AND B to A. For Simplex and for HDX only 2 wires (baseband) or 2 FSK frequencies are enough. TX and RX dont clash, because they are used Alternately, like a single track railway. Turnaround Time was always an important factor, because it slowed down the total amount of data transferred per hour, and required careful synchronisation of modem turnarounds at both ends. For Full Duplex FDX you need a 2 track railway, or 4 wires, or 4 FSK frequencies, which can send and receive at the same time, for trains to go in both directions, for cars to pass on an an ordinary road, for data to pass (ignoring phase modulation and other techniques.) Simplex, HDX and FDX have nothing to do with Cross-Band working. Cross-Band is a completely separate and additional requirement. FM Repeaters often are FDX with frequencies only 600 khz apart, which is Same-Band FDX in the repeater-radio (and used in HDX mode by human users with HDX radios). Humans using Satellites at VHF and UHF for Simultaneous Up and Down links, require radios with FDX and Cross-band functions. To summarise, for sat operations, two different functions are required of a radio, FDX and Cross-Band working. Combining these 2 separate function names into one name seems to confuse the matter. 73 de M3RRX

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AMSAT-India VO-52 Award
by n3tl＠bellsouth.net 03 Jun '09

03 Jun '09

Hey everyone, My VO-52 Award arrived in today's mail, and it's very, very nice. It's printed on a very heavy stock and is very attractive. I look forward to getting it in a frame and on display asap. My thanks to everyone at AMSAT-India for their efforts to make the award available, and for providing great operating via VO-52. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL

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Re: true duplex radios
by k0vty＠juno.com 03 Jun '09

03 Jun '09

Hi Alan Memories: 14 March 1965, My first Satellite QSO. OSCAR III went up on March 9 1965 and the battery lasted 18 days. After two year of designing and building for this day I made my first satellite QSO (CW) 1965 was a much different time for 2 meters and all that went along with that frequency There was three of us on 2 meters locally in those days, Frank (W0EMS), Omaha, NE , Sid (K0DOM), Lincoln, NE and myself, Joe (K0VTY) , Ithaca , NE. Sid was working for Hygain and Frank only worked 2 meter cw. Sid and I had been bitten by the satillite bug and Frank just wanted to watch. Evening gab fests on 2 kept us all on track. My 2 meter preamp design using a pair of 7077's ceramic tubes and a pair of 11 element HB yagi's made up the Oscar III LEO receiving station. A 6360 electron tube transmitting converter (28 to 144) for SSB and CW ( Halicrafter HT-37 driver) worked FB. Antennas were at 40 feet fully AZ and EL hand controlled. In those days there were no computer to do the things done today. The second pass that evening went over Utah. On 144.108, at 0839z K0DOM responded to my CQ. We lost the bird as it passed over Alaska I recorded the audio so we could play it back to Frank and Sid after each pass whether we made contact or not just to listen to the other guys trying to work the bird. Those were the good old days when the only tracking method was using half a Globe sitting on a board so it would pivot and align the Longitude on the globe to a mark on the board where longitude equator crossing times could be used as published for OSCAR III. Amateur satillite activity progressed rapidly with DX being the driver using HEO birds. When the cold war found need for a right now communications need between Washington and Moscow the Molniya orbit was developed so satellite communication could be provided. If it worked for that it likewise would work for Hams on a HEO bird, 63.4 inclination. It took a while to get there but it was a great run of amateur radio enjoyment. Lots of Amsat membership, many inovation all the time. Publication for satellite DX monthly with Satellite Orital elements to use for tracking One Publication , Oscar Satellite Report , a commercial pubication made Satellite DX prime. AO-40 was to be the cream of the crop, and it surely was in design. At my age I no doubt have seen my last HEO DX QSO . Especailly those QSO's that come after you already have over 200 intities comfirmed and those left out there are the entties that lie near the horizon at 8000 plus miles away and the hole in the tree has to line up just at the right time on that orbit for a few moments. I have rambled on but that is what you get by providing old memories of OSCAR III Thanks Alan and 73's Joe K0VTY ======================== On Tue, 2 Jun 2009 15:24:30 -0500 "Alan P. Biddle" <APBIDDLE(a)UNITED.NET> writes: > A good discussion of OSCAR III here: > > http://projectoscar.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/o3_translator.pdf > > Alan > WA4SCA > > > > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the > author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite > program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > ____________________________________________________________ Get a life insurance quote online. Click to compare rates and save. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/BLSrjpTQcxIRMCS578qk759xFi6j2gE…

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Portable QSLs
by Justin Pinnix 03 Jun '09

03 Jun '09

If you are operating away from home and want to send out QSL cards, is it acceptable to use your "home" card and note corrections to the location? Can I just put "portable FM17" in the notes field? Should I strike through my home grid? 73 AJ4MJ/P FM25 (15 May - 17 May 2009) AJ4MJ/P FM07 (30 May - 1 June 2009) AJ4MJ FM05 (otherwise)

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AO-7 at 13:15 UTC on 3 June
by n3tl＠bellsouth.net 03 Jun '09

03 Jun '09

Hey Everyone, I just looked at tomorrow's passes of AO-7, and the one that will have me in the footprint beginning at about 9:06 Eastern Daylight Time (13:06 UTC) hits a maximum elevation of 87.5 degrees. Beginning at about 9:15 EDT (13:15 UTC), I'm going to be calling CQ and/or looking for contacts near mid passband, between 145.950 and 145.951. I'll be running 500 mW rf out, and would really enjoy getting a contact or two on AO-7 using total flea power. Thanks in advance to anyone who is on the pass and might listen for N3TL. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL

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(no subject)
by Howard Kowall 03 Jun '09

03 Jun '09

Hello Is there anyone out there using WXTrack for radio and rotor control thanx Howard VE4ISP

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AO-51 mode ?
by John Price 03 Jun '09

03 Jun '09

Anyone know if the bird is still in May configuration? I did not get to work it this evening. Grandson music concert took priority -- N4QWF Amateur Radio Operator AO-7,AO-27,FO-29,SO-50,AO-51,VO-52,ISS Email N4QWF(a)AMSAT.ORG Echolink nodes #110903 -L #388463 http://home.comcast.net/~n4qwf/site/ Formerly KC4AHW VK3FEZ Amsat Member #27845 DXCC #33,478 VUCC SAT #135 WAS SAT #296 51 on AO-51 #13 LON -79.256 LAT 37.459 Grid FM07il >From the Foothills of the Blueridge *Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming - "WOW, What a ride!"

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Full duplex radios
by Sil - ZL2CIA 03 Jun '09

03 Jun '09

> Nigel, > > > Yes, of course, that's true. A single band repeater is a full duplex radio. > > I don't think their are any Ham radios that operate full duplex in a > single band. Of course, I could easily be wrong. Do you know of any? > > > > Sil "There", not "their" - sheesh Sil

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Full Duplex Radios
by Sigil 03 Jun '09

03 Jun '09

Hi, I have been trying to follow this confusing discussion about "Full Duplex Radios". It seems to me that different people are using the same term to mean different things. Everyone seems to agree on the meaning of "Full Duplex" as the term is used when talking about Ham satellites and radios. It is a radio that allows you to listen on one frequency in a particular band, while simultaneously transmitting on another frequency in different band. However, the phrase "Cross Band Repeater Mode" seems to have two meanings as it is being used on this reflector right now. Meaning One: a radio the can be used with a cross band repeater somewhere. That is, a radio that can be set up to receive in one band, but switches to another band when the PTT is operated and the radio transmits. When this radio transmits, the receiver is turned off. Meaning Two: a radio that can be configured to function as a repeater in that it retransmits the received signals in a different band. Naturally, it does this simultaneously. It is a Full Duplex Radio. Most (all?) modern HF radios can do "Meaning One" (A/B VFOs, etc), as can many dual band UHF/VHF radios, so this is perhaps not particularly unusual. It might be better to reserve the term for those radios that can function as a repeater. Sil - ZL2CIA.

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Re: true duplex radios
by Clint Bradford 02 Jun '09

02 Jun '09

>> ... Yaesu FT-8800 ... Really? Dual-receive, indeed. And will perform crossband repeating. But I can transmit on one band and simultaneously hear myself on another with a FT-8800?

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Re: Hawaii BL11 on AO51 today?
by Glenn AA5PK 02 Jun '09

02 Jun '09

The distance could have been stretched a little farther east had Robert been able to break through the West Coast wall :O) Glenn AA5PK in DM91

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Re; Full duplex: same band ?
by Henk, PA3GUO 02 Jun '09

02 Jun '09

Hi Nigel > Full Duplex can be both receive and transmit simultaneously > in the same band or on the same frequency. There will be very few radios I guess that can at the same time receive as well as transmit on the same band / frequency ... At least my THD7 and TS2000 can do full duplex, but not on the same band. However I guess it's a grammar thing, as I do not see an application for such either :-) Henk, PA3GUO (still like my TS-2000 a lot, many years after buying it, it still can do whatever I like these days: eg. look at http://www.vimeo.com/4911267)

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Re: Hawaii BL11 on AO51 today?
by Clint Bradford 02 Jun '09

02 Jun '09

Robert - you sounded great here in DM13-land (Riverside, CA). Patrick is further east than I am ... how far did you communniate??? Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.clintbradford.com ---------------------------------- Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.clintbradford.com

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Reminder
by Martha 02 Jun '09

02 Jun '09

The deadline for nominations for the AMSAT BOD must be received at the AMSAT office no later than June 12th. A nomination requires either one AMSAT Member Society or five current AMSAT members. A director serves 2 years. Our address is: AMSAT, 850 Sligo Ave #600, Silver Spring MD 20910. -- 73- Martha

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2.4 Gig
by Arlon Nelson 02 Jun '09

02 Jun '09

Are there any satellites on 2.4 gig so I can check out my old AO-40 dish. 73, Nels, WØTUP Minot, North Dakota nels(a)w0tup.com http://www.w0tup.com Ward County - Grid Locator DN98if TRIPLE PLAY AWARD No. 75 - A1 OPERATOR CLUB SKCC 31T - Flying Pigs 590 - QRPp-I #760 ARRL - FISTS #8610 - CC #1310 - FISTS WAS #143 FISTS PLATINUM #365 - FISTS SILVER #367 ARRL SSTV WAS #33 - IVCA MIXED BAND SSTV #1 40 MTR CW WAS - DXCC # 39623 - RTTY WAS # 585 COMMERCIAL RADIO OPERATORS LICENSE *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* CLUB CALL - WØJER (MAGIC CITY QRP CLUB) FISTS #11975 SKCC #1000 *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Two antennas met on a tower, fell in love and got married. The ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent. *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

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