[amsat-bb] ARRISAT and a fun afternoon on AO51

[James Luhn]

I have been trying to use ARRISAT-1 for the past couple of days.  
Despite the fact it was almost directly overhead, I could not get my SSB 
signal through the transponder.  I am using an IC-910 and arrow beam.  I 
am fully aware of the antenna issue on the lady.  Today I did not hear 
anything from the satellite.  Has anyone been working through the 
satellite the past couple of day?  Perhaps I have something wrong.  The 
same rig and antenna works fine with the other satellites.  With AO51, I 
run it at the minimum power which is probably about 5 watts.

I had several pleasant exchanges on AO-51 today.  The thrill has not 
worn off for me and I doubt it ever will.  Yep, I have worked several 
before but it is always nice to say hi to an old or new friend.

A big thank you to all involved who keep the old birds working.  Most of 
us do not keep a rig as long as some of the still working birds have 
been flying.  Too bad a service call cannot be made on the dormant ones.

73,
-james
W5AOO