Hi!

I will have an AMSAT table at the Superstition Amateur Radio Club's annual hamfest in Mesa, Arizona, on Saturday 5 December 2009. The hamfest will be in the southwest parking lot at Mesa Community College, along the east side of Dobson Road between Southern Avenue and the US-60 freeway (exit 177) in grid DM43bj. The hamfest starts at 0600 local time (1300 UTC) and officially runs until 1400 local time - although this hamfest typically shuts down between 1100 and 1200 local time. More information about the hamfest is available at:

http://wb7tjd.org/hamfest/

During the hamfest, WD9EWK will be on several satellite passes for demonstrations:

AO-51: 1254-1309 and 1434-1447 UTC AO- 7: 1448-1510 UTC VO-52: 1618-1630 and 1754-1806 UTC SO-50: 1730-1742 UTC

On AO-7, look for me around 145.960-145.965 MHz USB. On the VO-52 passes, look for me around 145.910-145.915 MHz USB. Don't worry, these satellites work fine away from the center of the passband. :-)

Satellite demonstrations using both FM and SSB have been great for attracting crowds for demonstrations at other hamfests in the past year. At some hamfests, VO-52 passes would attract the largest crowds. Using a pair of FT-817NDs with a handheld antenna, working the satellite at 5W, and not relying on computer control of radios or antennas helps to dispel the myths about how complex non-FM satellite operation has to be.

I hope to hear many of you on these passes Saturday morning. If anyone working WD9EWK would like a QSL for contacts during these demonstrations, please e-mail me directly with the QSO details. If you're in the log, I'll gladly mail you a QSL card.

73!

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