Here's a sunset pass of RS-44 during an uncommonly cool August evening in Nebraska, "backyard portable" style with my IC-9700. The lighting is poor, and I'm dressed like it's laundry day. The pass starts off with me spraying and praying through my neighbor's tree to the north. AL7ID in Alaska managed to pull me out of the noise and keep me talking until my signal really began to improve at around the 5 minute mark. After that QSO, I spin the dial and call CQ, which is when Rob W0CYC comes on frequency to have a much-relished rag-chew with me for the rest of the pass. About halfway through, we are joined by KC8JLW Jerry for (I think he said?) his first linear sat QSO. All-in-all, a terrific pass, QRM nothwithstanding.
I'm working on a way to include footage of the actual radio during satellite passes. The screen can be a little difficult to see IRL in bright sunlight, and nearly impossible to film. There might be some "night pass" videos coming up which feature the radio more heavily than my alabaster-white legs.
15 сен 2024
