Hi!

I had to be in the office this weekend, so I brought some gear with me - an Elk Antennas handheld 2m/70cm log periodic, and two HTs (TH-D72A, ID-51A). I hoped to be able to try working SO-50, the ISS, and the new NO-84 satellite from balconies at my office in Scottsdale AZ. I was successful with SO-50 and the ISS in making QSOs, but I did not log QSOs on NO-84.

Saturday evening... first ISS pass I had, I logged a quick QSO with W5BII in Louisiana. Right after the ISS went over the horizon, SO-50 came up from the south. Once I heard the busy downlink, I was able to log a quick contact with N5AT in Arkansas (operated by a regular satellite operator, Dave KG5CCI - thanks for picking me up!). About 90 minutes later, the ISS came by again, and I logged another quick QSO with W6YX at Stanford University in northern California. I tried the later SO-50 pass over the west coast, but I was not able to log a QSO on that pass. There's a bit of irony in this - I was able to make a QSO on a pass covering more of the continental USA, but not on the later pass with a smaller footprint over land.

I was operating on 100% battery power (HT battery packs), at QRP (5W) power, and the ARRL FIeld Day web entry site claimed my total score will be 275 points. Despite having to work, and having to avoid a nasty wind and dust storm around the time of these passes, I had fun. Hopefully I won't have to be in the office for Field Day next year. :-)