Jim,

SO-50 will be a zoo, of course, but will be available for 1 QSO only!

FO-29 is a fine satellite and I'm sure much of it's 100 kHz passband will be teeming with signals.

VO-52 is also a fine satellite and it's 60 kHz passband will also be teeming with signals.

AO-73 should be available for the weekend if the command stations switch it to full time transponder mode on Friday. They usually post to the BB after the command is sent. If it's not set to full time transponder mode, the transponder will be active when the satellite is eclipsed, but at this time of the year, it's not eclipsed very often. There are two things to keep in mind: a narrow passband of just 20 kHz and it's frequency instability which means that your uplink signal usually has to be 6.5+ kHz higher than it should be for a given downlink frequency. Even on a normal Saturday afternoon, there are usually plenty of hams who are "lost" on the passband.

AO-7 has been a little tricky lately. On ascending passes in the afternoon, high power signals have been causing the satellite to mode jump to Mode A or Mode D (transponders off) as the angle of the sun on it's solar panels is not ideal at this point in the year. As most seem to run way too much power on Field Day, don't expect AO-7 Mode B to be of much use, at least not on the afternoon passes. Descending passes in the morning might turn out better. If you have Mode A gear, be ready for it to switch or to come up in Mode A and give that a shot.

LO-78 (LituanicaSAT-1)'s FM transponder has not been activated in a few weeks. There is no indication when they will turn it on again. Maybe it will be on, maybe not.

The ISS packet digipeater is also an option, unless the astronauts are using the radio used for the digipeater to make voice contacts.

73,

Paul, N8HM

On Wed, Jun 25, 2014 at 9:16 PM, Jim White jim@coloradosatellite.com wrote:

I've just rebuilt my sat station and was planning to be on for Field Day to give out some contacts from home.

What birds are folks planning to use? I assume SO-50 and FO-29. Any others?

Jim WD0E _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb