Jim,
Just want to say thank you to you Jim and the team managing AO-73, I also appreciate these status communications you have been providing.
I've enjoyed the exended operating schedule the last couple of weeks. Not that I made tons of QSO's, but I've enjoyed getting on more than I otherwise would have...
As for me, I was glad for the extended schedule for the first Anniversary of AO-73 a few weeks back. (This was especially nice having had opportunity to operate as W7O on AO-73 for the east coast passes on the first anniversary)
Also, I'm teaching Radio Merit Badge for our Boy Scout Troop and with my portable Satellite station, It would be favorable be able to use AO-73 on probably three Saturdays between now and March. Additionally, I've just assembled a rotor for our Tampa Amateur Radio Club Satellite Station which we're planning to show off at our upcoming Hamfest in a couple of Weeks....late morning passes are prime for these activities.
We're grateful for the satellite resource you have provided ! It's been nice tuning up and down the pass band and hearing several QSOs simultaneously on occasion.
73 Mike W4UOO
On Sunday, January 4, 2015, Andrew Glasbrenner glasbrenner@mindspring.com wrote:
I encourage the team to continue with the schedule as is, for multiple reasons. AO73 is the only transponder satellite with passes occurring in the late morning and late evening hours at the moment, with AO7 and FO29 in the early early morning and afternoon. For instance, AO73 will (hopefully) provide the demonstrations in the morning for the Orlando Hamcation, as it did last month for the Tampa Hamfest.
Additionally, I believe, based on my experience with managing AO-51 operations, that a consistent schedule of operation is essential when new operators who may not be on -bb or other media are getting started. AO-73 is a great entry level transponder due to it's signal strength and mode, and confusion from shifting schedules will reduce that usefulness.
To sum it up, it's great having it a available on the weekend mornings with the current schedule.
Thanks for the team's dedication, and Happy New Year!
73, Drew KO4MA
Sent from my iPhone
On Jan 4, 2015, at 4:17 PM, Jim Heck <jimlist@zoho.com javascript:;>
wrote:
Hi Folks,
I have just switched (2110 UTC) FUNcube/AO73 into auto eclipse mode (so
transponder on when in darkness, full power beacon when in daylight)
We are considering NOT switching to full time transponder mode for the
next few months, as the sat is in darkness for most of the day in the N hemisphere. Comments on this proposal would be welcome.
73s Jim G3WGM and the FUNcube team.
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