9-23-2014

As the Trustee of K5LBJ, the LASA High School Amateur Radio Club, in Austin, Texas, last Friday (9/19) was an exciting day. After almost a year of hard work, the school's satellite tracking/communication station made "First Contact." As you are aware, satellites work on their own schedule, so when I noticed an SO-50 pass at the beginning of the school day, I hoped for the best. I was not disappointed. During the pass, I was able to work W5PFG, N8RO, NX9B, and WI9I. What a great moment in our club's 10th anniversary year!

I can't wait to get students on the air over satellites. I teach an Amateur Radio elective class (where most of our building/maintenance is done), and last Spring, the students assembled and tested the satellite array. Unfortunately, we only obtained the Icom 910H during summer, so this was the first time to test it. Eureka!

Many thanks to Mark Spencer, WA8SME, and the ARRL ETP ("Big Project") program that provided the computer interface for our EL/AZ rotator, and also the Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA) which funded coax and other items to make this project happen. Of course, we could not have made it happen without the support of the Austin Amateur Radio Club which funded the Icom 910H. Finally, I would like to express our appreciation for our mentor, Ron Parsons, W5RKN, who continues to guide and support our school in its satellite endeavors.

LASA High hopes to be much more active in the satellite community in the future. Thank you for getting us off to a great start.

Sincerely,

Ronny Risinger, KC5EES Government/Law Instructor Trustee, K5LBJ, the LASA High School Amateur Radio Club National Board Certified Teacher Liberal Arts & Science Academy High School Austin, Texas Website: http://www.austinisd.org/staff/255 Classroom Phone: (512) 841-3090 Confidentiality Notice: This email message, including all attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential student and/or employee information. Unauthorized use of disclosure is prohibited under the federal Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. §1232g, 34 CFR Part 99, 19 TAC 247.2, Gov't Code 552.023, Educ. Code 21.355, 29 CFR 1630.14(b)(c)). If you are not the intended recipient, you may not use, disclose, copy or disseminate this information. Please call the sender immediately or reply by email and destroy all copies of the original message, including attachments.