[amsat-bb] Fw: Re: first impression

[Doug Kuitula]

 Mark Jim,
  Just wanted to say that I've gone through the same thrill as you with my
 first contact on the birds. I'm doing it the what you are with a handheld
 and an Arrow antenna. It took me a good month of just listening and getting
 used to the procedure, as well as the doppler shift, before I actually made
 a contact. Like you, my next step will be a basic rotor with a small
 antenna. As they say, "One step at a time".
  But the best time I've had is exposing my great niece and nephew (5 and 6
 years old) to amateur radio satellites, as well as a small telescope. They
 probably think their uncle is a bit strange, but they had a lot of fun.
 Anything we can do to expose them to science will pay off in the future.
 73 de Doug KA8QCU


> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mark Lunday, WD4ELG" <mlunday at nc.rr.com>
> To: "'Jim Danehy'" <jdanehy at cinci.rr.com>; <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
> Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2008 12:39
> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: first impression
>
>
> > Jim
> >
> > I would like to add to your comments.  I have been a ham for 31 years,
and
> a
> > DXer almost from the start.  CW has been my mode of choice, and I have
> never
> > run more than 100 watts (I get a lot of grief from the hard-core DXers
for
> > not using QRO, but that is another story).  I have always wondered about
> > AMSAT, but never wanted to invest in the heavy duty equipment and
> antennas.
> > With the sunspot lulls and a new FT817 from my XUL last Christmas and no
> > progress in the sunspot department, I decided to see what all the
> excitement
> > was about.  Starting in April with 5 watts and a hand-held Arrow
dual-band
> > yagi, I had a rejuvenated ham experience working satellites.  My hands
> shook
> > with excitement when I made my first QSO through AO-51.  The thrill was
> just
> > as great when I worked MODE A on AO-7 two weeks later.  The Doppler on
CW
> > and SSB is an interesting challenge, but the satellite prediction
programs
> > (thanks, Simon for HRD!) make it much easier.  Instead of firing up my
rig
> > on HF first thing, I now check the satellite passes first to see what is
> > available!  My Arrow is mounted on a radio shack rotor in the attic at a
> > fixed elevation of 20 degrees, and I have heard every satellite that I
am
> > listening for so far.  What a thrill!  I agree with you Jim, this puts
> even
> > more excitement into the hobby for me.  Although so far I have heard
every
> > bird active, I have already re-worked a couple of hams in just the 30
> QSO's
> > made so far.  I like how Patrick WD9EWK is actively evangelizing the
> > satellites, and others are doing the same.  I think it's time for a demo
> at
> > my local club meeting, and for groups beyond ham radio.  This is another
> > entry point for non-hams into our hobby.
> >
> > 73, look forward to hearing you on the "birds"
> >
> > Mark Lunday
> > WD4ELG, FM06
> > wd4elg at arrl.net
> > http://wd4elg.net
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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