Re: [amsat-bb] Welcoming satellite newcomers

["Rick Allnutt" <ws8g@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I second Garie's observations.  It was a little over a month ago when I made 
my first satellite contact.  VE6EGN (Egon) was quick to welcome me to UO-14 
and encourage me to make a contact with him on AO-27 15 minutes later.  We 
completed that call as well.  Within the week I had settled down to making a 
contact or 3 on most passes of the FM birds with my 3 watt handheld and 
arrow antenna.

This was so much fun, that I decided to jump in head first and order an 
FT-847 radio and try the SSB satellites and begin experimenting with 
antennas.  I have made a couple contacts there, but have found it somewhat 
frustrating.  I needed and received encouragement from the satellite 
community in this as well.  Now, I almost have the technique down, and am 
able to make more contacts than I miss.  I have not yet worked the digital 
satellites, but look forward to trying.

Much of my energy can be directly attributed to VE6EGN's positive attitude 
and encouragement.  I hope that KB8VQQ gets back on the birds and gets all 
the encouragement we can give him!

WS8G (Rick)


>From: Garie Halstead <k8kfj@wvinter.net>
>To: AMSAT list <amsat-bb@AMSAT.Org>
>Subject: [amsat-bb] Welcoming satellite newcomers
>Date: Fri, 16 Jun 2000 19:36:46 +0000
>
>Just an observation...
>
>Another new station came on UO-14 today.  It was Gene (KB8VQQ) in
>Youngstown, OH.  I heard him make a QSO and at the end proudly announce
>that it was his first satellite QSO.  The single reply he got back
>was... "ain't I the lucky one".  He received no congratulations from
>that station, no encouragement and no good wishes for continued fun on
>the birds.
>
>I tried to contact Gene to congratulate him but he evidently doesn't
>have email (according to HamCall & QRZ) and his home number is unlisted.
>
>Geez, certainly we can do better than this is making newcomers feel
>welcome, can't we???
>
>On a postive note, I heard a station not too long ago come on frequency
>and ask if there were any QRP stations that would like to make a call or
>attempt a contact.  GOOD STUFF!!!
>
>73  //Garie  *K8KFJ*
>AMSAT #32574
>
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