Hi!

I just tried the AO-73 pass at 0411 UTC. Lots of stations across the transponder, some in CW, but mostly in SSB. This was a low pass for me here in Arizona, up to a maximum elevation of 11 degrees, with the first few degrees covered up by mountains toward my east and northeast. Despite all of that, my two FT-817NDs and Elk log periodic were able to work two stations in SSB - Wyatt AC0RA in Iowa, and Doug KD8CAO in Michigan. Thanks for the QSOs!

I will attempt the next pass to the west coast, around 0545 UTC (going from memory - my iPod with tracking app is with the radios out in the yard), hoping to hear more than my own voice on the transponder. :-) I will probably try to use my TH-F6A HT as the downlink receiver in place of one of my FT-817NDs, to see how it performs with this downlink. I may also adjust my transmit power from 5W down to 2.5W or even 1W, to see how that sounds.

73!

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