The North American Pass of SO-67 on 27Dec2009 at 1443z is now on my webserver. The bird was strong as usual. It is difficult not to respond immediately to a call to your station, but those that wait for the "tail timer" to expire, will have more than 3 seconds to exchange their information. Watch the S meter and wait for the tail to expire before you transmit. This doesn't always work if there are others still transmitting after the tail timer expires. Their signal is not repeated but it prevents the repeater from re-transmitting your signal. Full duplex allows you to hear the bird when you are transmitting and makes successful qso's much easier.

http://www.papays.com/SO-67_27Dec2009_144322z.mp3

Thanks to AMSAT-South Africa for this very strong bird. If the tail timer can be re-configured, contacts using a handheld and a rubber duck antenna will be possible. Right now there is just too much confusion due to everyone transmitting at the same time. Full duplex really helps.

73, John K8YSE