Hey everyone,
These low angle passes of AO-7 are moving farther east every cycle of Mode B, so I only have one more before a several-week hiatus while the Grand Old Girl moves along.
Tonight, PH7PCF in the Netherlands answered my CW "CQ DX" with a hello in SSB. Then, a couple of minutes later, F2IL returned my CW in some CW from France. It is really cool to work Europe on AO-7 in CW, and using a straight key. I confess ... I have the "CQ DX" call set up in a memory buffer on my FT-857D. But when somebody responds, the straight key takes over. What a hoot!
Thanks again to Joe, K3SZH. He has been a wonderful help in getting me going on AO-7, and it's a load of fun to work. I feel very fortunate to have this chance to work such a historic satellite.
I suspect I'm not the first to notice that Nov. 15th of this year marks the 35th Anniversary of her launch. I hope many of you will take the time tro try for contacts on that day. I'm already looking forward to it!
73 to all,
Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha