Hello, Ib!
It is interesting to note that there are far more operators on the FM transponder satellites than on the linear satellites in Low Earth Orbit.
Very true. KO4MA spoke to this point at the AMSAT Symposium in Baltimore last month, and I see this anytime I go out to hamfests and struggle to work a couple of stations on nice VO-52 passes. On AO-51 or SO-50 passes, many more than 2 QSOs are made.
I enjoy both the FM and linear satellites, and will continue working both (including AO-7, which I'm now starting to try more often). And, yes, all of this is 100% portable - perfect for road trips, and air travel. :-)
Sumbandilasat it a very good satellite for operators working portable or mobile. The downlink is strong and it will be better to use it once things settle down. Every time we have a new satellite we have very many wanting to try it out.
The SO-67 passes this weekend certainly brought out a large crowd. Everyone trying to make some QSOs to give the new satellite a workout. :-) The downlink is very easy to hear, even if it takes a bit of work to get through the uplink. I am looking forward to more opportunities to work this satellite.
I think we should say thank you to our friends in SA for a new one.
Yes, a big "thank you" to the SA AMSAT crew for the amateur payload, and the South African government and taxpayers for allowing this payload on their satellite.
73!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/