Doug, KD8CAO (using the Holland Area Radio Club's call, K8DAA) and I (W8MRR) had a demo on Tuesday, 08/11/2009 of handheld operation through AO-51. It was a huge success. The success was due in a large part to the cooperation of the throngs of users -- some knew we were to do the demo and showed up for a QSO, some were already there and found us. AND thank you to those who chose not operate and cause QRM to give a chance to show our stuff. Everything went right, the weather was perfect, the bird and our equipment performed flawlessly. A huge crowd of hams were there for our monthly meeting, at which Doug and I gave a power point presentation on ham radio and satellites.

Doug was using Kenwood TH-DA and an Arrow antenna, I was using a Yeasu VX-6R and a Arrow antenna. Doug was operating full duplex, I half duplex. He had a much easier time and more success than I. I guess I have some adjustments to make.

SO, fellow hams and AMSATers, THANK YOU for making our evening a pleasant experience. The whole experience reminded me of the "good old days/ 1960's)" when as a young excited high school teacher/ham, I gave a slide (remember when cameras put images ONLY on film) presentation and a demo at a NSTA (National Science Teachers Association) convention. We used one of the early AMSATs (2 meters up/ 10 meters down). Same experience --- great interest, cooperative hams. And it's been that way as long as I can remember. THANKS!

Jim Jipping, W8MRR AMSAT 5512 (small numbers translate to old geezer)