[amsat-bb] Where was everyone on AO-7?

[Paul Stoetzer]

Great pass of AO-7 in Mode B just ended. The footprint covered the entire
contiental United States, South and Central America at the beginning of the
pass, then through all of Canada and into Alaska by the end of the pass. I
heard KJ4MCZ calling at the beginning of the pass and a W3 station calling
in CW, and I worked AC0RA and WN9Q. Where was everyone else?

The bird sounded great with good strong signals. On the first afternoon
pass, I worked GS3PYE/P on their expedition to the Isle of Lewis in
Scotland (IO68) and heard EB8AYA. On the second afternoon pass, I worked
KB3EJZ. Again, very good signals, but few stations heard.

All the QSOs were made with 2 FT-817s running 5 watts and an Elk antenna.

AO-7's transponder is still working great even after 39 years and 5 months
in space. It also gives us the largest footprints and longest passes of any
of our satellites currently in orbit. Let's use it!

73,

Paul, N8HM