[amsat-bb] ARISSat-1 R.I.P.

[n0jy at lavabit.com]

Applause and accolades to the ARISSat-1 Team, for the tremendous amount of
fun, excitement, opportunities and activity that ARISSat-1 provided!

I got hooked at launch, listening/watching on the internet even as I was
also on HF that day conducting an exercise with the local and state
R.A.C.E.S. teams and the local nuclear power plant during the launch.  I
started tracking and gathering telemetry a few days later and dedicated a
PC and my sat station to automated telemetry gathering 24/7.  I split off
the 2M signal to my FT-817 and captured hundreds of amazing SSTV pictures.
 I enjoyed watching the telemetry decoding program on my PC showing the
live readings.  I followed especially in the last days, on the
arissattlm.org web site.
Much of this excitement I shared with my local ham radio groups in
meetings and on the air, with local children and non-hams, and even in
Colombia over Christmas I engaged some of the family with listening for
the "secret word" in Spanish.
A few attempts were made when I had time, to make contacts through the
transponder.  I heard myself and others, and had a part of a QSO... but
never got that complete QSO.  I became so engaged with the telemetry that
near the end, I wrestled with the decision to try a transponder contact or
to keep copying telemetry in hopes of the "last telemetry" award!

Thank you very much, all who made ARISSat-1 possible.  Your work was very
fruitful indeed.

I look forward to the Fox family and hope that we can keep up the
enthusiasm and support necessary to stay on the air in space!

73,
Jerry
N0JY