[amsat-bb] GN05 and GN06 this weekend

[Ken Alexander]

Hi All,

I will be in Louisbourg, NS this weekend for a mediumwave DXpedition, 
which leaves my days free.  I had a look at the maps and realized I 
would be in GN05 and a few minutes drive from GN06 as well as FN95 and 
FN96.  I'm assuming GN05 and GN06 might be somewhat rare, since GN05 is 
about 97% ocean and GN06 is about 96% ocean. Making some satellite QSOs 
from there seems like a good thing to do!

I am new to satellite operation. In fact, I have yet to make a QSO via 
satellite.  However, I'm using this opportunity get force myself to get 
off my lazy butt and finally get on the air.  Today I went out and 
bought a Kenwood TH-D72A handheld and the Arrow handheld 146/437 OSCAR 
antenna.  I'll be struggling for the rest of the week, leaning how to 
use the radio.  With luck, I might even make a QSO or two during lunch 
breaks.

This will be FM only operation.  We arrive in Louisbourg this coming 
Friday afternoon (May 20) and leave for home on Monday afternoon, May 
23.   The plan is to look for satellite contacts late Friday afternoon 
or early evening (Atlantic Time) and then during the days on Saturday 
and Sunday.  I have yet to see what satellites will be available, so I 
can't say where I'll be.  I have Gpredict and am familiar with it, but I 
don't know how far it can look ahead, i.e, I don't know if it will tell 
me what's coming up this weekend.  Any help in that regard would be 
greatly appreciated.

Any other tips for a beginner would also be most welcome.  I'd like to 
make this a success!

73,

Ken Alexander
VE3HLS