Hello Tom,

I personally use the Nova software for this task. There is a menu option to generate pass predictions for multiple observers using a mutual satellite. If I want to work Hawaii on AO-7, I can run a prediction to show me any mutual passes between my Texas QTH and the islands. Nova has a lot of flexibility for generating different pass predictions for multiple satellites, multiple observers, and even checking visibility and eclipses.

In the scenario from your friend's inquiry, Nova would quickly tell me the exact mutual window of opportunity to work a satellite pass with the stations desired. As you stated in your email, there are many ways to obtain this kind of information but I find Nova is the easiest (for me) out of my repertoire of software and website tools.

73, Clayton W5PFG

On Wed, Oct 12, 2011 at 10:06 AM, Thomas Doyle tomdoyle1948@gmail.com wrote:

A friend who knows a little about ham radio asked me me about satellites. He asked a couple simple questions.- Can you work Alaska on the satellite ? When I answered probably. He said great - lets try it. I explained a little about orbits and then he said. Ok - so if you know you can work Alaska how do you know when you should try. Alaska is not all that far from my QTH here in Packer Country so for my example I have changed the question to "Can you work DK1TB on a satellite and if so which satellite and when is it possible ?".

We all know many ways to answer this simple question. Here is the easiest way I know. If you have an easier way please let me know.

http://www.tomdoyle.org/canIworkDK1TB

73 W9KE tom ... _______________________________________________ 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