I worked the 9:00z pass this morning (12 degrees max, to my north - typically my best passes). I had to get up early for work and I ended up waking up 2 hours early and not being able to fall back a asleep, so what the heck.
The only callsigns on were myself and KE8FZT. Andrew was choppy getting in at half a watt, constantly cutting in and out. When he was getting in, he was clear as day - full quieting. I couldn't get in at all until around TCA, and at that point I was also loud and clear, but couldn't bring up the repeater on every attempt (I'd say I got in every 2nd or 3rd attempt). As soon as the ISS fell below about 6 degrees, I couldn't get in anymore. I was transmitting at 20 watts the whole time. I tried tones from 67 to 88.5 Hz from about 6 degrees to 3 degrees, with no luck.
Is this radio connected to the same antenna system that the old packet radio was hooked up to? It really seems to be behaving just like the packet system (hit or miss getting in).
--Roy K3RLD