[amsat-bb] UT1FG/MM update

[John Papay]

Yuri has left Norfolk and is on his way
to Mariel Cuba.  You may have seen him at
anchor out in the bay after he left the
berth.  A fuel barge was next to him filling
up his tanks!

Yuri has sent mail to the following stations:
KD8CAO W5PFG W5CBF N5UXT KJ4MCZ KO4MA WA4NVM
K4FEG N2PPL K9HF K8II W1PA WN9Q.  If you don't
receive something in two weeks, please let me
know.  As you can imagine, it is no easy job to
confirm so many contacts with so many different
stations.  He does what he can considering the
time he can spare.  It is a never ending job for
him.

You may have heard that WX4TV and his family were
able to visit the ship yesterday just before it
sailed.  Yuri was very busy with his agents and
last minute paperwork but one of the crew gave
them a tour of the ship.  I expect that Jim will
be sharing some photos/video of that visit.

We are very fortunate to have someone like Yuri
take an interest in operating the satellites in
hundreds of water grids.  It's fun to make all
of those contacts, but it is also a lot of work
to get confirmations out when you are not at home.
Yuri is an amazing operator and ambassador for
ham radio.  His callsign is recognized by vhf'ers
around the world.  Good luck to everyone trying to
work him.  The route down to Cuba should be new for
many operators.

73,
John K8YSE