Hey everyone,
During the 2045-2046 UTC portion of the AO-27 pass over the western U.S. yesterday (11 November), Sawson (KG6NUB) and I completed a two-way contact with handheld stations. Each of us transmitted 50mW (.05-watt) out. Sawson used a Kenwood TH-D7 with an Arrow, and I used a Yaesu VX-7R with an Elk. Including the published, nominal transmitter power of AO-27 (500mW), our "power budget" for the contact was 600mW, or .6-watt.
We didn't use a specially scheduled QRP pair of frequencies to complete the contact. We were in the middle of all the other stations working the pass, and were able to complete a 2-way contact using milliwatt power. I am grateful to know and work so many truly good operators on the satellites.. They try to give others some space, and it's because of their collective approach that many passes still are good for milliwatt power.
I especially hope our friends with AMSAT-South Africa will note and pass along this information in advance of their Activity Weekend, which is coming up in a couple of days. Their goal is to stimulate interest in and activity on all of the amateur satellites among South African amateurs. Our FM satellites are definitely reachable with handheld stations - even those running 1/10 the power of the satellite itself.
73 to all,
Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha