At 01:45 AM 11/9/2009, Dave Marthouse wrote:
Just for fun I attempted to hear SO-67 on the 1416UTC pass this morning. It was orbit 790 with a max elevation of 79 degrees. I was using my TH-F6A with stock rubber duck antenna. A few minutes into the pass out of the noise came the signal. For this minimal setup signals were rather strong. I knew I would have no problem hearing the bird with my crossed yagis on the tower but I wanted to see how I could push the minimalist envelope with just a stock ht. I was pleasantly surprised with the strong signals. Congratulations to amsat sa etc on a fine new addition to the amateur satellite service.
Sounds like the South Africans have continued their tradition of good birds with solid downlinks. I haven't yet worked SO-67, still have some antenna issues, but I have fond memories of the last South African bird - SO-35. :)
73 de VK3JED / VK3IRL http://vkradio.com