Hector CO6CBF making a 6955 km contact on April 3
On Monday at 1338 UT Hector Martinez CO6CBF achieved a 7330 km contact on the amateur radio satellite FO-29 the furthest he has worked and close to the theoretic maximum for the satellite.
Hector, who is in grid square EL92sd, worked David, EA4SG in IN80cp on SSB. He used a Yaesu FT-817ND transceiver, 30 watt power amplifier, and a homebrew Arrow with a homebrew mast mounted amplifier. Everything was powered by two 12 volt, 7 amp gel cell batteries. Hector operated from on top of a tall building which improved his horizon visibility toward Europe.
Hector says “We had just a 88 seconds window. Satellites are always fascinating! Thanks very much to David for this great contact and new grid! ”
Hector is looking for other FO-29 contacts in the UK and Europe. His email address for skeds is: co6cbf at frcuba.co.cu
FO-29 information http://amsat-uk.org/satellites/fuji-oscar-29-jas-2/
First Cuba to EI contact on FO-29 http://amsat-uk.org/2013/04/04/6955-km-contact-on-fo-29/