[amsat-bb] SO-50 eludes me

[Mark Lunday, WD4ELG]

I have worked every bird several times: AO7, AO16, AO27, AO51, FO29, VO52.

But I have never worked SO50.  Tonight I had a pass DIRECTLY overhead.  I
tried the standard initiation call with 74.4 CTCSS, and then calling with 67
Hz.  Never heard a thing.  In fact, I don't think I have ever heard SO50.

I triple-checked the Doppler, turned down the squelch, turned up the RF
gain.  Not a peep.  Even with only my Arrow yagi fixed at 30 degrees EL, I
should have heard something.  All I heard was the rush of static.  I know
this bird is lower orbit and smaller power out, but I should hear something,
right?

Mark Lunday
WD4ELG
wd4elg at arrl.net
http://wd4elg.net