[amsat-bb] Tuesday's DEMO

[James Jipping]

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)