[net.columbia] W5LFL Heard!

karn@allegra.UUCP (12/01/83)

Posted: Wed  Nov 30, 1983   9:50 PM EST              Msg: TGID-1670-3247
From:   JREYMANN
To:     AMSAT
Subj:   W5LFL, #40  

W5LFL showed up on orbit 40.  Heard the first part of his first space/
earth contact!  Problem with people uplinking on his freq was compounded 
an order of magnitude by turkeys trying to shut him up.

Much more discipline needed.  KL7GRF and I trying to get out the word
with virtually non-stop info nets on fm and ssb when Owen not in range.

Gud luk!
73, W6PAJ

Posted: Wed  Nov 30, 1983  10:58 PM EST              Msg: DGID-1670-3451
From:   VRIP
To:     AMSAT
Subj:   More W5LFL #40  

W5LFL apparently began operations from Columbia on orbit 40 this
evening.  There are sketchy reports of hearing W5LFL on orbit 35
but these are as yet unconfirmed.  According to ARRL, Columbia was
due to be flying in an unfavorable attitude on orbits 34 through
39 with the antenna pointed to the sky instead of earthward.
 
I have just listened to an audio recording of W5LFL's pass over
the northwest on orbit 40 made by KA7APJ, Jim Smith, Area Coordinator
for Washington, QTH, Seattle.  Garriott's signal was truly outstanding.
A DFQ signal with no interference whatsoever.  He was calling
CQ North America from W5LFL on the space ship Columbia.  It was
really him too.  I recognized his voice with certainty.
 
KA7APJ was not able to establish contact, however.  He had a live
TV crew on-scene for the excitement.  I think it's fair to say that
the media (broadcast and print) have glommed onto this event even
more strongly than we had hoped (feared?)!
 
Tomorrow the ultimate test.  W5LFL over Washington, Baltimore, New York,
Boston, Philadelphia, Hartford, simultaneously. 
 
Can you imagine the QRM?!?