Hi Michael,

Happy Anniversary :) Grabbing K4T as your first is pretty awesome.

Hey, why don't you come to RARSFest and help me with the AMSAT table? Or do a demo ;)

73!

Mark N8MH

At 08:17 PM 3/12/2011 -0500, Michael Elliott wrote:

Hello everyone on the board,

Yesterday was celebration of my first year on the birds. I will never forget that first QSO with K4T on SO-50 last year. I couldn't believe someone actually heard me and came back. That was a real thrill. During this first year I even made a couple of contacts with the Space Station which again really surprised me. I have learned so much from you guys and I am not going try to name specific operators because I am afraid I will leave someone out - thank you all. I appreciate the patience you guys have shown and continue to show me as I still make mistakes and continue to learn.

My wife still says I am strange for walking around in the yard with a antenna and will ask from time to time if I contacted any aliens. If there is any comfort in that, it is at least starting to get warm here in NC. Along the same lines, I have co-workers who ask if I have found the tagged wildlife yet. Luckily I have friends who understand...

I am hopeful that this second year will allow me to get on the transponders and learn even more about this fascinating part of amateur radio.

I don't want to bore anyone with details, but I have confirmed 44 states and worked a few more. As for total contacts which does include multiple contacts from the same operators is a little over 700.

Anyway I just wanted to post a quick thank you to all of those who have offered me such great advice and shown patience.

73's and thanks again,

Michael, K4MOA _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb