SO-50 satellite work 3/31/2017

A little SO-50 satellite work around 17:30UTC from EM70.



I took my Yaesu FT-8800 satellite go box and newly built log periodic to Kinsaul Park in Lynn Haven, FL today to try the satellite pass.  It was a 30 degree pass and I felt I could at least squeeze a couple of contacts out of it.  I am really enjoying this new antenna and so far (on 2 different outings) I have had good luck. It was fairly easy to build and I just enjoy building stuff myself.  There is a greater satisfaction when you begin making contacts with something you created.



As for the FT-8800, it is a FM transceiver and using this I am limited to working the FM satellites. The nice thing with this radio, if you have a good pass and you are getting into the bird (a bird is what us hams call the amateur satellite) well, you can hear yourself come back on the downlink since this is basically 2 radios in one and has a built in duplexer.



I was able to work 2 stations on this pass.  WO3T was in grid FN00 and NS3L was in grid FN20.  Both were Pennsylvania stations.







73!

KK4DIV

Working Amateur Radio Satellite SO-50 9/4/2016

Receiving aprs message from N4KGL operating @ SS08

AO-85 First Satellite Attempt 8/21/16

An hour of Portable Ops from Kinsaul Park, Lynn Haven, FL EM70EG00

Saturday, May 14th, I knew at least one club member was going out to the park to participate in the Second Saturday Sprint (please see the G+ community: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/104840420363990807712 or this youtube video: https://youtu.be/Eo2nwwhfjAs). Not having much to do myself, and since I had already cut the grass earlier in the morning, I loaded up my radio gear and headed out to the park as well. I didn't participate in the sprint, but I did set up and make a few contacts while I was there.

When I arrived at the park, Greg, N4KGL, and Cory, N4UVR were already there. Cory was set up and running PSK, and Greg had just set up his station as well. I socialized a little, talking to Cory and Greg. Cory had set up his homebrew magnetic loop as well as a vertical whip/coil antenna.

Greg was running his Elecraft KX3 and a Bravo 7K for an antenna.

My setup was a Yaesu FT817nd running 5 watts on internal battery and the Chameleon F-Loop antenna. I can't brag enough on this antenna for ease of setup, portability, and performance for it's size. The folks at Chameleon have themselves a winner with this one.

Even though I did not spend a lot of time on the radio, I did manage to make a few contacts on 20 meters for the little time I was at the park. First was K4RC, the Williamsburg Area Amateur Radio Club in Williamsburg, VA. They were operating National Parks on the Air from park designation AA14 which is the Jamestown National Historic Site. Next was W5HB in Winslow, AR. He was participating in the Arkansas QSO party. And, lastly, was WA0DX, the Ottumwa Amateur Radio Club in Ottumwa, IA. He had activated an island for the US Islands on the Air awards program. He was at IA010, Turkey Island.

Overall, I had a good day at the park. The weather was great although a little windy. I would have had some video, but the wind pretty much wiped out the audio. Until next time, everyone...73!! --Bob KK4DIV

Channel Update 4/23/2016: Cameras, Baluns, and New Equipment

Panama City Tailgate 041616

The Panama City Amateur Radio Club hosted the spring tailgate at the clubhouse.  The weather was slightly overcast and warmed up to around 70 degrees F, although I could have done with out the gusty breezes.  There were many members in attendance as well as hams from the surrounding areas.  It was a great chance to catch up with folks that I normally get to chat with only on the radio.  I brought my stepson, Michael, along. He assisted me with setting up my radio gear and participated in the fox hunt we had in the park next to the clubhouse.  Several people were there selling, some had set up radio gear and operated portable outdoors.  There was pulled pork, baked beans, chips and soft drinks for lunch and we provided testing at 1pm for anyone wanting to get their license or upgrade their license.



It was a great time.  Here is a short video showing a little of what went on.