We're on schedule to arrive at and transit the Panama Canal on Wednesday, 23 March. Once we clear the canal, we'll head northwest around Cuba and pick up the Gulf Stream that will give us little extra push as we head toward Jacksonville.

One non-satellite note: I've been working XE1AO and XE1AY not only the birds but also on 2M CW and SSB. This afternoon, XE1AY (in DK79ua) and I worked when I was in EK04pj on both modes covering a distance of 490 miles. I was using the same FT897D into the WD9EWK's Elk that I've been using for a while now. Of course, it didn't hurt that my operating position on my ship's flight deck is about 105 feet or so above the water line and I've got the entire Pacific Ocean to provide additional ground plane effects!

Here's my op sked for tonight and tomorrow:

Planned

VO52 - 19/0352Z - EK13

AO51 - 19/0952Z - EK13

FO29 - 19/1009Z - EK13

FO29 - 19/2321Z - Should be EK31 by this time.

AO7 - 20/0011Z - EK31

AO51 - 20/0914Z - EK40

FO29 - 20/0914Z - EK40 - I'll switch to FO29 as soon as I lose AO51 and should still have nearly half the pass left for the Left Coasters.

Probably - will try but not sure

VO52 - 19/1418Z - We should be in EK22 by this point, but it's not absolutely certain.

AO51 - 19/2228Z - Either EK22 or EK31

VO52 - 20/0233Z - EK31

73,

Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC

Grid EK13