The SO-67 recordings from 05 and 06 December are on my webserver:
http://www.papays.com/SO-67_05Dec2009_125403z.mp3 This pass was only 1 degree so it is short. But you can get an idea of how strong this satellite is, even at low elevations. East is not a good direction for me but SO-67 burns its way through the trees.
http://www.papays.com/SO-67_05Dec2009_142508z.mp3 This is a 54 degree pass. The time stamp on the audio files are not necessarily the beginning of the audio clip. That's because my recorder turns on at AOS and SO-67 is not turned on for 1-2 minutes after I can see it. Therefore I have deleted the beginning of the audio file because it only contains noise.
http://www.papays.com/SO-67_05Dec2009_155930z.mp3 This was a 10 degree western pass for me.
http://www.papays.com/SO-67_06Dec2009_140452z.mp3 This was a 28 degree eastern pass for me.
http://www.papays.com/SO-67_06Dec2009_153840z.mp3 This was a 17 degree western pass for me. I was not at home during this pass.
SO-67 continues to be difficult to work for some because of not adjusting for the particular operating parameters of this bird, especially the 3 second tail timer. Once you learn to take this into account, the bird is easier to work. Full duplex makes it much easier to work this bird since you can determine when you are in or out. You can hear an example by listening to VE2DWE. He transmits during the tail, but since he is full duplex he knows when the transmitter goes off and he unkeys and then keys and continues with his exchange.
SO-67 is in virtually continuous use when over North America. If it is possible to change the way it operates, it would be best for it to have the transmitter on continuously over North America (based on a schedule) with no "tail," similar to how AO-27 operates. It would not stress the transmitter as much since it would not be constantly going on and off.
I have included another audio file taken from AO-27, 6December2009 at 2031z. AO-27 is on for 7 minutes over North America with the transmitter on continuously, no CTCSS required for access. If you work this bird it pays to watch the clock to see when the end of the pass is eminent. I use a software timer and start it when the data goes off at the beginning of the pass. If someone calls you at the end of the 7 minute period, you know how long you have to respond. No sense in being surprised.
http://www.papays.com/AO-27_06Dec2009_203103z.mp3
73, John K8YSE EN91dh