Include your CQ call in your StatusText field. Mine currently reads "CQ APRS AI6DO DM03" but I'll change that for Field Day to include both my exchange and my grid. Send your beacon (preferably manually) to "call CQ." Dont expect to get your own beacon back. Most of the time you won't. Properly formatted APRS messages are best as most portable ops won't be able to decode anything else.

I also put "QSL de AI6DO" or something similar in my acknowledgment message text. If  you responded to my CQ with your exchange and you get an ACK packet from me, the three way QSO is complete, since I'm not running an unattended station.

Hope to hear you on! The farthest I've gotten with FS-3 is EM10, so I may be able to QSO with you if the timing is right. Good luck!

73, Ryan AI6DO

On Saturday, June 16, 2018, 9:16:10 AM PDT, tjschuessler@verizon.net wrote:

Hi all,

Am trying to figure out this Falconsat-3 digipeating thing and have ben on several passes this Saturday morning with only N1RCN heard early.  I would like to give this a try on Sunday morning in what would be for me, a 1125Z high elevation pass.  I think I kind of now know how to reply to calls, if my Kenwood is set up with the phrases that Patrick Stoddard suggested, but am not sure how you throw out a general call.  I have beaconed but never saw my call sign come back from the satellite.  Should I see my call come back if I hit it?  Is this really APRS beconing or standard Packet that we are supposed to be doing here?

`This is definitely not an EASYSAT but I like the challenge.

Tom Schuessler, N5HYP EM12ms