[SMCARA] First Contact

[jbr13 at md.metrocast.net]

    As Ham operators we have firsts several, if not many more, times in 
our hobby.  Last night was another one of those for me.  I picked up my 
first contact working a satellite, on SO-50.  I started this venture 
Monday with just using my HT with a diamond whip antenna and listening 
for the satellite pass.  That night I heard guys during a pass but what 
down in the noise, and could not make out any callsigns.  Tuesday I did 
more research and reading, also called HRO and ordered a Arrow 2M/440 
handheld beam.  I wanted to make an antenna for this but the Arrow fit 
the bill well and I can use it for some other plans. So yesterday I 
looked at satellite passes and printed them out, programed my Yaesu 
FT1XD HT with the Uplink and Downlink Freq's and waited for my antenna.  
First pass was at 6pm and no UPS guy yet, so I listed with the Diamond 
whip antenna and made out some callsigns on that pass, but did not 
transmit.  I walked back in the house and the UPS guys was just there. 
So I put together the Arrow antenna, and I am ready for the next pass, 
at 7:30pm. IT is a nice long pass over head, and I hear all kinds of 
guys in there. I through out my call 4 or 5 times, but no one comes back 
to me, oh well.  Take everything inside for the night and as I think on 
what I could do better or may be doing wrong. I remember that the SO-50 
satellite needs a PL tone that I forgot to load into the memories on my 
HT.  Next pass is late, at 10:57pm and I am back outside for about a 8 
minute pass.  I listen for a couple minutes for a place, and then 
through my callsign out.  I get a K6FW in California as my first contact 
over a satellite. Right behind him is a KM4H in TN calls me, next is 
KI4RO, and then W4DTA.  All this in about 2 minutes.  Crazy but so much 
fun on a budget setup!


Jason Rearick
N3YUG