[amsat-bb] Friday night presentation in Long Beach - report

[Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK)]

Hi!

Last Friday evening, I gave a presentation at the monthly meeting of the
Associated Radio Amateurs of Long Beach in southern California. This is
the club that operates the W6RO station aboard the Queen Mary. This had
been in the works for a little while, and I thank Endaf Buckley KG6FIY
for the invitation to speak at his club.

Before the meeting, there were passes of FO-29 and SO-50 passing by the
west coast. Endaf ensured that the club members were aware of this, if
they wanted to see a demonstration of both FM and SSB satellite operating.
There was a nice crowd that greeted me when I arrived, and I was able to
chat with them as I set up my portable station outside. I was able to log
one QSO on FO-29, with Frank K6FW, followed by seven QSOs on SO-50.

My presentation was not the "how to work satellites" type of presentation,
but a combination of a history lesson - history, as it relates to amateur
satellites - and talking about the Fox project and its satellites. I had
done some reading about our satellites from the 1960s and 1970s for an
presentation I gave in February, and incorporated bits from that in the
presentation on Friday evening. I think there were 30 to 40 people in the
crowd, including some satellite operators who drove varying distances to
be in the crowd - Jim KQ6EA, Tom WA0POD, Mike AI6GS, Chris KA6WNK, plus
Endaf KG6FIY who is also on the satellites from Long Beach.

Thanks to the ARALB for an enjoyable evening, and thanks to the 8 stations
who worked me from Long Beach before the meeting. 73!




Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK
http://www.wd9ewk.net/
Twitter: @WD9EWK