Good Contacts Through LAPAN A-2 Satellite 

There is a lot of enthusiasm among LEO Satellite operators in my region after the activation of LAPAN A-2 has been advanced a bit with a new 'VR DX Only' slot meant for our region. Earlier, activation of the LAPAN A-2 or IO-86 amateur radio satellite was only when it enters Indonesia on its pass near the equator, which was towards the end of pass in our region. Now with the efforts of VU3CDK and YD0NXX activation of IO-86, the Indonesian Microsatellite corresponds to the time of closest approach in my region. There is an exciting opportunity for us contact even up to Mauritius. In fact 3B8FA from Mauritius is planning to try contacting VU hams on the evening pass of LAPAN A-2 which has a time window of around 2 minutes between the two regions. VU2TEK operating with a tape measure Yagi and a hand held radio, was heard at Bali by YD9CKH nearly 5000 km from here, on LAPAN A-2 yesterday! That is a fantastic achievement by a new LEO satellite operator with totally homebrew, inexpensive antenna. Read more: johnsonfrancis...