In the last week or so, some of us have heard W1AW on AO-27 and maybe SO-50 calling CQ. I for one was wondering if it was truly W1AW since the station was not replying to any calls.
So, I made a call to HQs and talked with Joe Carcia NJ1Q, station manager of W1AW inquiring if it was truly W1AW from HQ trying to make some contacts. Sure enough, it was Joe himself. He is working out some bugs with the W1AW Satellite station to prepare for the big EME weekend later this week. ( Be on the look out for them )
Joe and myself talked a while and he mentioned that he had forgotten about the imaging signal on the Kenwood TS-2000 on the downlink frequency of both AO-27 and SO-50.
So, in short, if you do hear W1AW on the air, rest a sure, it is Joe testing and willing to give out QSOs to all when possible.
Joe also did not make any promises but said he would try and show up on AO-51 V/S mode next week after I mentioned to him I lost my QSL Card where I worked him in V/S mode to Hurricane Katrina.
See ya on the birds.
73 de Angelo