I went home for a "lunch break" and was able to copy them on CW (but not SSB) with the following:

M2 440-18 (an 11' vertical/linear antenna that claims 14.5 dBd) ARR MSP432VDG-160 preamp (claims 0.55 dB NF) TS-2000X radio, CW mode, filter width betwen 600Hz and 200Hz

It wasn't arm-chair copy, but after nudging the array around a bit, I could make out characters and their call. Didn't try to listen to anybody else (assuming they would quite a bit lower).

The moon was around 67 deg elevation, right in the small "hole" of the forest canopy growing at my home :)

Anyhow, it was fun, and given their low output, will be fun to listen tomorrow with a repaired amp!

73,

Mark N8MH

On Fri, Apr 16, 2010 at 3:27 PM, Bill Dzurilla billdz.geo@yahoo.com wrote:

I'm at work and not QRV, but I had no problem copying them with a single 12 el. yagi leaned again the chair when they did the test a couple of weeks ago, and most everyone else gave them good reports.  At the time, they were running 50w, a barefoot Kenwood TS-2000.  They must have changed rigs if now they only have 20w.  And something else must be wrong, because even folks with big antennas are having trouble copying them (more so than the 50w vs. 20w would suggest).

There's a live feed at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/kp4ao-eme

Good luck and 73, Bill NZ5N

...

From: Sebastian w4as@bellsouth.net Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Arecibo To: "Mark L.Hammond" marklhammond@gmail.com Cc: AMSAT BB AMSAT-BB@amsat.org Message-ID: 4141F900-265D-4987-B3BE-59B3834BE01B@bellsouth.net Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I can hear very faint CW from them.

I'm surprised as I have just a single yagi, and apparently their amp isn't working.

73 de W4AS

---

Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb