The past 7 days there has been a noticeable increase in activity on most satellite passes over North America due in part to a grid expedition by AC0RA. Wyatt posted his expedition here on the BB a few weeks ago. Over the course of this past week I understand he has made hundreds of contacts.
Some of the grids Wyatt visited have not been activated on the birds in several years. This was evident by the number of people who are leading the ARRL VUCC Satellite standings needing those grids. Fortunately Wyatt put forth an effort that accomodated many working peoples' schedules and whether or not people who needed that grid were in the footprints he worked.
One thing that can be done to encourage such activity is by mentoring new stations. I cringe at the "anti-handheld in the backyard mentality" because those operators are our future. Some of them may take on roles in AMSAT engineering, some may focus on operations (grid trips,) and more importantly some may desire to educate the next generation about satellite and space communications.
Last night I worked a station who told me I was one of his first contacts. We've exchanged a few emails and now he's looking to operate from a rare, neighboring grid square situated a mere 5 miles from his home.
It's been a fun week for many of us chasing these seldom-heard grids. If you have the equipment to operate outside the confines of your shack, I would encourage you to do so. Not only is it an opportunity to refresh your basic skills, it attracts others to do so, and gives a chance for you to activate grid squares absent of any regular satellite operators.
73 Clayton W5PFG