I found myself wondering about the distances involved in the cross-band, cross-mode, cross-satellite contact between WB9L and N3TL yesterday, so I did a little research, then some math. Here's how the contact worked, based on the distances at the time when WB9L acknowledged my call to him and we completed the contact:

My FM signal travelled 1,808.086 km (1,123.493 miles) northeast to AO-51, which re-transmitted it in FM 1,684.521 km (1,046.713 miles) west-southwest to him.

His FM signal travelled 2,576.642 km (1,601.051 miles) west-southwest to AO-16, which re-transmitted it in DSB 2,885.516 km (1,792.997 miles) east-southeast to me.

Ain't that a hoot?!

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL AMSAT Member No. 36820 Athens, Ga. - EM84ha