Re: [amsat-bb] ISS Expedition II amateur activity...

["Francisco Costa" <fcosta@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message -----
From: <T5z4@aol.com>
To: <amsat-bb@AMSAT.Org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2001 8:40 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] ISS Expedition II amateur activity...


>
> While watching the NASA TV Expedition II press conference today, the crew
was
> asked what if any amateur activity each of them hopes to engage in.
> Expedition Commander Yury Usachev as well as Jim Voss both indicated an
> interest in School and family communications, whereas Susan Helms added
> random QSOs to her plans.  So, it looks as though we might look forward to
> contacts with Susan during this next expedition.

I would bet on that! FYI, I had a memorable qso with Susan back in 1994.
It was my first contact ever with a person on space, and you can imagine how
excited I was!!!
By then I had no internet acess, so all information was provided via
packet BBS's. Actually, only a couple hours before I did the qso, I wasn't
sure even if that particulary mission have been lunched or not!!!
I remember to arrive home around 10.20 pm, and decided to check the
local BBS. Nothing. So I conected to a couple BBS's on Lisbon area, but
result was the same. Belive it or not, just to find that it took me ages,
due the
heavy trafic on VHF 1200 baud links (it sounds like decades ago, hi)
I was about to give up when I thought it could be not bad idea to check
EA (spanish) BBS. And BINGO! I had the confirmation of launch, plus
keps elems. I upload it to IT, and realised the next pass was going to be
in less than an hour. It was almost midnight, so I decided to wait.
At AOS I heard a female voice calling, but I wasn't sure if it was the
shuttle,
so I decided to wait (honestly, I thought it was a joke). She called again!
Then I gave my call, and asked the most stupid question: "Is that really
the space shuttle???" The reply was: "Yes, this is *really* the space
shuttle".
And the only thing I could reply was I could not belive! That was
unbelivable
for me! I waited it for so long to do a voice QSO (I actively tracked all
missions
prior to STS-64 since STS-55), and it happened almost casually! Unbelivable!
And, as soon as I started the QSO I almost end it. That was mainly to give
space to others who could be listening too, but also because by then my
VHF equipment was only a 40W FM rig and a 5/8 GP antenna.
Even if I want, I had no chance to work a full pass, from AOS to LOS.
But, against my thoughts, instead of say goodbye, the she keep on
asking me things, and the contact exteded for several minutes!
It was much more than I ever dream!
But, at a certain point, I remembered I didn't saw any female operator on
fact sheet. So I asked her call and name. And her reply was: "My call
is KB5SIW... I'm borrowing it from someone else!!!" That was even more
unbelivable! She wasn't even amateur! But, who care???!  was talking with
the space shuttle, and had one of the most memorable nights of my live!
Thanks Susan. Look forward to talk with you again!

´73 F.Costa, CT1EAT

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