Thanks to Mark N8MH and Jerry N0JY for the surprise first QSOs on AO-91 this morning! I was up working on some school assignments, noticed the pass coming up and decided to step outside with my Kenwood D72 and Diamond 1/4 wave whip to listen in on the commissioning and engineering tests... and heard Mark declare AO-91 to be open for use!

I was able to get in fine with just the HT/whip at 5w, with around 35° elevation remaining on the pass. I worked N8MH first, and then a few moments later N0JY called me. I was able answer Jerry fine at around 12° elevation to my south. Amazing performance compared to AO-85! Can’t wait to try it with a decent antenna..

Thanks to both of you for the QSOs, and all the hard work you and the rest of the Amsat team put into AO-91! Looks (and sounds) like we’ve got a winner :-)

73,

- Matthew nj4y

Sent from my iPhone