[amsat-bb] Those were the days

[Andrew Glasbrenner]

While the 817 in Navassa does indeed belong to me, AMSAT does have a IC-910, two Arrows, and a D7 full duplex HT available for loan. The D7 and a now retired Arrow went to K5D. 

What I need help with is identifying dxpeditions, convincing them that they can do satellite, then convincing them to practice ahead of time. I'd be glad to set this up as a position within operations for the right volunteer.

73, Drew KO4MA

Sent from my iPhone

> On Feb 12, 2015, at 10:33 AM, RSoifer1 at aol.com wrote:
> 
> Paul,
> 
> Yes, there's certainly less interest in satellite operating than 30-40 
> years agp, but here's what we did.
> 
> Most satellite DXers were also active HF DXers, and any time we worked 
> someone in a country or state we needed on OSCAR, we would  talk up satellte 
> operating.  :The informal leaders of this actiivity were Ben, W2BXA, and Pat, 
> G3IOR.  Ben is now SK but Pat is very much alive and kicking at 84.  
> Unfortunately, though, the only operating he does these days is FM on his local 
> repeaters.
> 
> Since most of the people we worked already had good 10m setups, all they 
> needed to get on Mode A was a 2m transmitter and antenna.  They usually could 
> cannibalize the latter from their FM rigs or borrow one from a neighbor, so 
> all they needed was the transmitter.  Ben got a few used Ameco TX-62s and 
> appropriate crystals, and we appointed him AMSAT Loaner Equipment Manager.  A 
> DX station op could borrow a TX-62 free for several months, as long as he 
> agreed to put it on the air and, when the loan was over, ship it to the next 
> borrower at his own expense.  That arrangement worked fine for several years 
> until AO-10 came along.  A bit like Drew loaning equipment to the K1N guys.
> 
> Glad to see activity perking up.  Hope it keeps going.
> 
> 73 Ray W2RS
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