Graham,
My first satellite contact was on AO-7 in 1978, I was 16 at that time. For sure it is the oldest Oscar still active as my last QSO is only a few months ago.
As you suggested, it would be interesting to find out if any commercial, military or commercial satellites have last so long as it may be an Amateur breakthrough, open question to all.
QO-100 is a fantastic opportunity for us for experimenting, as an example here in Mauritius LEO’s have very limited coverage we are in the middle of the Indian Ocean and only FR sometimes and ZS regularly on the air, the bird has open the opportunity for us to tests many modes as for example ATV which was inexistant here. I just hope that eventually we will have 2 additional GEO’s linked so that global QSOs possible on a 24/7 basis, just a dream, which may become true if we all dream strongly in the same direction.
Best wishes for your demo.
Regards
Jean Marc (3B8DU)
On Jul 3, 2019, at 6:52 PM, Graham Shirville via AMSAT-BB amsat-bb@amsat.org wrote:
Hi All,
I am preparing for a satellite talk and QO100 demo this Monday 8th July at the Milton Keynes Amateur Radio Society!
I have a slide that shows Oscar 7 as having been launched in 1974 and I am tempted to state that it is the oldest satellite in earth orbit that is still functioning! (not just the oldest Oscar) Would I be correct?
I will, of course, explain about how it was "out of service" for some years in the intervening 45.
many thanks
Graham G3VZV
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