Re: [amsat-bb] re Why do satellites

[Amir Findling <sarlabs@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Before I started working satellites this winter, the birds revolved 
around earth with as little effect on me as space debris. Now my life 
revolves to some degree around those satellites. Learning about them, 
which I did on my own, on th web, learning to find them, to hear them 
and then to work them was a challenge. And the challenge is still there 
even after having made many contacts. Each pass is different, sometimes 
I work an extra low pass, hoping to get a rare very long range contact. 
Walking in a foot of snow in order to get to a good sport in my back 
yard and being rewarded with my first contact from Syracuse NY to CA was 
very exciting. Especially since I was on an HT. This same setup allowed 
me to contact Mexico, Guatemala and places that may not even be on the 
map in Canada. Each one of these contacts was exciting. And then you 
need to be prepared. preparation is the key to success and it is fun too 
as I've tried all kind of configurations for my equipment, how to carry 
the radio, the voice recorder, the PocketPC tracking the satellite in a 
way that was functional, simple to access and operate and yet protected 
the equipment. Living in Syracuse, having a waterproof HT is a boon as I 
was out in all weather, rain, snow, wind, whatever nature had to dish 
out, if I could make the pass, I would. Finding good spots to work the 
birds is fun too. Whether in my own neighborhood or farther, on the 
highest hills in the vicinity. It is so much fun that this summer, I'll 
be overseas and I plan on working satellites there. I'm now working at 
getting good at it with a very portable setup such as an extendable beam 
antenna and a small VX-2. I want to travel light so I won't take the 
Arrow antenna. Challenges, more challenges and always fun such is IMO, 
satellite work.


*Amir Findling*, 73 de K9CHP, Syracuse NY, member ARRL, AMSAT #36083

Coordinator, Senior K9 Handler Western New York SearchDogs, Inc 
www.wnysearchdogs.org <http://www.wnysearchdogs.org>

NYS Federation of SAR Teams www.nysfedsar.org <http://www.nysfedsar.org/>
1st Special Response Group www.1srg.org <http://www.1srg.org>



Ron Johnson wrote:
> Because they are there .
>
> acheyJ.
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