Greetings:
I was able to operate mobile and then portable from a few grids on the way back to Ohio from Florida on April 1st. If you worked me on AO-51 in EM92 or EM93, you should receive a card in the mail shortly. No return card is necessary. I used the Arrow antenna with my Kenwood mobile strapped around my neck and a small UPS battery for power.
The EM92 operation took place at the MM47 Rest Area on I-95 northbound in South Carolina. We had one person ask my XYL about the antenna etc.; they thought I might be tracking animals! At some point I was sending my grid as EM82 but I was really operating from EM92. Sorry for the confusion. I logged 12 stations including HI8LAM, WP4CNU and YV6BFE.
The EM93 operation took place at the MM123 Rest Area on I-26 westbound just south of Columbia, South Carolina. There were a lot of trees in the way at this stop and it was getting dark. I worked 11 stations from here.
The operations from EM90 and EM91 were made on AO27 while driving on I-95 in north Florida and in East Georgia respectively. I was just using my Larsen dual band antenna on the trunk lid but at a certain time during the pass, stations were loud and clear. I worked 6 stations in each of those grids. If you worked me in EM92 or EM93 you also got cards for these grids. If you only worked me in EM90 or 91 and need the card, please email me and I'll put one in the mail to you. No return cards are necessary.
As many of you know, I operated from Florida from January through March using a portable setup (Kenwood V7A, UPS battery and Arrow antenna) in EL96 and EL98. I also made a few contacts at the Stuart Florida Hamfest (EL97) on March 21st, demonstrating satellites for a few interested hams. In addition I operated through my home station in EN91 using a remote control setup over the internet. If you need cards for any Florida contacts, just email me and I'll send them to you. If you need cards for EN91, please send an SAE or SASE to my qrz.com address.
Working grids on the satellites can be both challenging and rewarding. The ARRL VUCC award is the most prestigious VHF/UHF award on the planet. It's the DXCC of the VHF/UHF world. It requires paper QSL cards at the moment, however, the ARRL is working toward making LOTW compatible with VUCC/Grids. You can chase new grids from your home station and then work from a grid away from home and give others that new one they have been seeking. When you travel, think about taking your rig and a portable antenna. If you get the opportunity to operate from a rare grid, you will find it very rewarding. If you hear someone operating from a rare grid, work them and then give them the frequency; they might be there for only one pass and have made a big effort to operate from a remote location. There will be plenty of time to work the regulars when the satellite is not busy.
We have a two week period coming up where AO51 will not be in a V/U FM mode. Why not try SO50 (use a PL tone of 67.0 Hz), and AO27 during this time. You never know when a new grid might show up there. SO50 can be a little difficult since it is subject to deep fading, but it is very workable during most portions of the pass. AO27 has a very strong signal and is generally on when over the US. Check the schedule for AO27 on their webpage http://www.ao27.org/AO27/listing.shtml
If you are reading the amsat-bb and happen to live in a rare grid, please try to get on now and then. Many of us will be very happy to work you. Hint: Delaware has not been heard from in a very long time!
73, John K8YSE EN91 [email protected]