A couple notes surrounding my AMSAT presentation in Torrance, CA this evening.
1. THANK YOU to whichever AO-51 commander flipped AO-51 to V/U today. It was scheduled to go to V/U at 00:00GMT on the 20th - which was 4:00PM on the 19th my local time. And the pass I wanted to work was just 42 minutes later. And it was ON!
2. Don't know exactly how to explain it, but the pass today at 4:42PM Pacific Standard Time didn't exhibit the "normal" silencing, then faint voices, then stronger voices. It plainly BLASTED into discernible conversations, and we we were able to work it much sooner than "normal." We were not hidden behind foothills. It was a pretty clear shot South to AOS. It really floored me - in a most positive way. It was dramatic.
3. Thanks to KI6VBY Tim for showing up for the pass. He isn't a member of the club I was speaking to. But he follows AMSAT-BB, and has cruised my sat Web site, and wanted to meet me and work the bird together. Glad he got to meet Carl Gardenias, too. Tim's no "newbie amateur" - he has built several portable HF antennas for events, and has a great, analytical mind. He's also served our country in the military, and is working on advanced degrees in college. He had to leave right after the pass today, in order to get some school study time completed. When he has time, he'll be a valuable asset to whichever club he joins.
4. Another thanks to ARRL Orange Section guru Carl Gardenias, who helped me carry my bags to/from the meeting room. "I wanted to see your show in person," Carl advised. He said he only cringed once at my humor during the presentation ...
That's it for in-person presentations this year. I still have two Internet shows lined up (EchoLink) in December. And a date in January already made. Thanks for a great year, AMSAT-BB folks!
Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com