[amsat-bb] Thanks! RARSFest quick wrap-up

[Mark L. Hammond]

Hello Alan WA4SCA and John K8YSE,

Thank you both for the SO-50 contacts at the Raleigh Hamfest (RARSFest)!  I appreciate your sharp ears and return calls.  It made the demo successful.  The location wasn't great (tall metal buildings!) but the biggest problem was a setting on my radio that I FINALLY figured out.

Somehow, some way at Dry Tortugas the 2M uplink on my FT-817 had been changed from the rear SO-239 (which I use with the Elk) to the front BNC connector...it explains why I had no success on the boat ride from the island to Key West and why I couldn't work anybody during my first pass attempt on AO-27 today.  Glad to figure that bugger out!  I had the 435 band going to the right connector, but since the 2M band was "hidden" because of split memory channels it took me a while to figure it out.  I was transmitting into a BNC connector without any antenna--hi hi.

The hamfest was well attended with many out of town hams in the area because of the Easter weekend.  The weather was great (warm), and the RARS club is always a great host.  They donate the booth (with power) and take good care of us.  Thanks go to Chuck K4HF and RARS! 


73,

Mark L. Hammond  [N8MH]