[GCARC] Dreams Do Come True (satellites)

[Christopher Wawak]

I couldn't sleep (sinus issues) around 5am, so I hopped down to the shack
looking for some distraction from this headache. Much to my surprise, there
was an RS-44 pass that went straight down the middle of the Atlantic Ocean,
providing an excellent opportunity for transatlantic VHF communication via
satellite! I worked DJ7ZZ
<https://twitter.com/Dj7Zz/status/1539935668733972481>, with a crystal
clear 59 signal, my first transatlantic satellite QSO! I worked a couple XW
satellites but nothing of note.

I took a break for some coffee and celebration when SatPC32 announced that
ISS was rising, so I clicked the ISS button to turn the antenna and started
listening in. It took a few seconds to get things dialed in because I
didn't hear the usual hubbub that I expect for a morning ISS pass. Just my
luck - NA1SS is taking calls live from the International Space Station! I
screamed for my 8 year old son, who was not impressed. I put my call out,
and got a response first time! What an experience, talking to an Astronaut
in space! This is probably the most exciting moment I've had operating my
radio.

I was so excited, I had to tell someone. I already can't wait for the QSL
cards to arrive!

73 Chris KC2IEB