First Satellite QSO

Finally, after weeks of on and off again trying, I finally made my first amateur radio satellite contact! It was an afternoon pass of AO-51. I finally figured out some sort of technique to use to accurately track the bird as it passed overhead. It was very busy during the pass, but I was able to get my callsign into WC7V of Livingston, MT. To my pleasant surprise he answered.

Below is a link to audio of his half of the contact.

AO-51 satellite contact

Working Satellites

It's been a tough go at getting my first satellite contact. All the books make it sound easy, but it's more of a challenge than I thought. I've tried numerous passes and each time it seems to take me the entire pass to get tuned in and by that time it's too late to make a contact. Here's hoping I can make some contacts sooner rather than later. I seem to be missing out on too much fun otherwise.