Hi!

I don't have many QSOs in the log, but it has been fun to put W1AW/7 on the satellites once again. I'm trying to work at least one FO-29 pass and one or two AO-73 passes on weeknights. Unfortunately, SO-50 is not passing by in the evenings, but will be fine on the holiday weekend with the early afternoon passes.

On FO-29 earlier tonight, I worked Sawson KG6NUB in northern California. I haven't heard him on the satellites in a long time. Sawson reported that he was transmitting with an FT-857, receiving with a FUNcube Dongle, and both were connected to his Arrow Yagi. The interesting part of all this - Sawson had it all in his living room!

Tomorrow evening, I will try to get on the FO-29 pass at 0112 UTC, followed by at least the AO-73 pass at 0430 UTC. If there is any interest from west- coast stations to work W1AW/7 on the 0607 UTC pass, please let me know. Friday evening will see similar activity, and on Saturday I am looking to start working passes in the morning and try for as many passes as I can get on until the evening - especially the SO-50 passes in FM. I'm hoping AO-73 will have its transponder all day Saturday and Sunday, for more chances to get W1AW/7 on the satellites during the weekend.

Time for bed... 73!

Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/