http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6oDgUTHCwg Hi Henk. Nice video. VA3FM had my callsign incorrect, it is WB3CSY.

Hi Rick ! Thanks for correcting !

It is very difficult to make a contact via HO68 with that equipment versus the other FM birds.

Indeed it varies a bit. Also it matches my own experience, sometimes easy, sometimes a challenge. Still, comparing it to AO51: yes, AO51 seems easier to work wrt uplink requirements, although this is not an apple to apple comparision, as I have not tried HO68 full portable myself. I have done a few tests in reducing uplink power 100...5 W to watch the effect. Maybe I should have made a recording. Others also mention the PL tone in combination with a busy uplink channel.

What I like a lot about HO68 (but eg AO7 has the same - I know) is the relative large footprint, which enables contacts across the continents (EU/NA, NA/SA, EU/Afrika, ...)

Maybe we meet eachother via HO68 !

Maybe via SSTV ? http://www.dk3wn.info/p/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/ho68_sstv_30122009.jpg

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

Henk, PA3GUO http://www.pa3guo.com