Having never worked through FO-29 until the 15th of this month I am pleased to say that it was pretty easy to access and make contacts. On the 01:21 UTC pass on the 15th my first QSO was with W5PFG, and then W1AW/5, KG6NUB, and AC0RA. This morning on the 13:22 UTC pass I worked NM3B, K4FEG, N8RO, N5JF, WA4NVM, N5UXT, XE2BHL, and XE1AO. My rig is the FT-897D and the antenna is a tripod mounted Arrow. This is the set up I will use while in CN-73 next week.

Early Saturday morning we will drive to Portland, Oregon where we will spend the night with my XYL's sister, and sometime on Sunday we will head down the coast where we will end up in Bandon By The Sea that evening. I don't know if I will have time to make any attempts on the satellite Sunday evening, but my plans are to be ready for the Monday morning passes.

At the suggestion do Wyatt, AC0RA, I will be transmitting on 145.935 and listening somewhat higher than 435.850 so as to not interfere with stations operating in the middle of the band.

Remember that I am extremely green at this, operating through a linear transponder, so don't be surprised if I goof up from time to time.

Please email me if you have any suggestions and/or advice.

See ya on the bird!

Lee (Doc) Ernstrom, WA7HQD

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