WB5RMG 20070624

2007 is nearly half gone, better get busy !

Well, it has been a busy year so far. In January I started in my new position providing network operations and engineering support for NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, specifically for current and future space-flight activities. Needless to say - I am pleased with this recent 'upgrade'. I love the new environment, the challenges and these opportunities - but my ham-radio hobby is taking the hit.

Having endured two interstate moves over the past three years, my accumulation of ham-toys is fairly well diminished - and what is left is scattered into numerous boxes. I shouldn't complain too much, as I probably had way too much stuff anyway. Most of the remaining large meaningful pieces are resolving into a functional unit again (see pics at the end of this page), but it will likely take considerably more effort to sort out the in-numerable pieces and parts, components and connectors, tools and wires necessary to do any useful antennae construction, or circuit soldering, or any of the other gadgetry-wizardry that keep us hams healthy and happy.

Mix these factors with the reality that most of what I do (DID) with ham radio is in my past, and that currently the low point of the solar cycle, the absence of any large robust DX satellites, and the predominance of Internet communications modes leaves me wondering just what it is that I'm trying to do with/about all this stuff...
"I can remember back when we used to have to ... ... ..."

Surely I'm not a 'has-been/used-to-be' already . . .
But fortunately along comes Field Day to save the day (again) !

Thankfully Tim (N8DEU) shows up with a portable "Arrow" dual-band antenna, a Yaesu satellite capable radio, and current Keplerian data in a laptop. We overcame the the last of the usual difficulties associated with the re-activation of some station equipment that has been idle for some time (long about midnight) - and managed to work a couple of stations via satellite. This allows the club to add the 100 bonus points to the total score.

This exercise has again lifted my heart and convinced me that even old worn out satellites like Oscar-7 still have some spunk and are making contacts. Check this history of AO-7 ... There is also this site for logging AO-7 activity. I can remember trying to work this satellite over 30 years ago, in my college days. Somewhere I still have my OscarLocator.

We've come a long way I reckon.
Somehow, I feel better now. Thanks Tim... 73