Tried with a handheld with a whip, heard a couple calls but couldn't make them out. Anyone have success with a like setup?

I used to work AO-27 routinely with a long rubber duck, but i cheated a bit. Most often, i'd use a chain link fence (otherwise a large street lamp pole) as a reflector. I'd try to keep the radio about 1/4 of a 2 meter wavelenth from the fence (which 3/4 of a wavelength at 70cm). It made a big difference compared to operating in open space. One time, i worked both Alaska and Hawaii from the parking structure of the Walnut Creek BART station with a long rubber duck and metal fence as a reflector, and i think it was even on low power. This is not a beginner-type thing to do, but with a good path and a good radio, sometimes it can be made to work.

Don't do this without a full duplex dual-bander or two radio, as otherwise you are very likely to cause QRM and make sure you can copy callsigns before transmitting!!! ID as QRP, as then folks may also help you out. 73's and good luck. -- KD6PAG (Networking Old-Timer, Satellite QRPer)

P.S. SO-50 have been fairly quiet lately and more usage would be appreciated even on transcontinental passes.

[Note: If i'm in your address book, please replace 'qsl.net' with 'amsat.org'.]