First Cuba to EI contact on FO-29

Hector Martinez CO6CBF in Cuba has worked Joe Murphy EI5EV in County Kilkenny, Ireland on the amateur radio satellite FO-29 over a distance of 6955.1 km.

“I am pleased to report that today I had my first contact on satellites with Ireland.

Joe, EI5EV and I completed it successfully on FO-29. We had just a 66 seconds window but there was enough time to exchange reports and greetings. I believe that it is the first contact between Ireland and Cuba on FO-29! It is a 4321.7 mi (6955.1 km) contact!” reported Hector CO6CBF

The first attempt failed as Joe couldn’t find Hector on the passband. Rescheduled for the following day. success was made with more accurate frequencies calculation. Doppler is always in play!

The pair did the calculations based on the great feature implemented on SatPC32 V12.8b. There is an option of seeing the frequency you are at the satellite receiver. This was our common reference point. I was very satisfied when I heard Joe exactly on the frequency I was expecting!

“I was operating portable from a tall building's roof which allows me a great horizon visibility forwarding Europe. I was running my new FT-817nd, a 30W power amplifier and a homebrew ARROW antenna with a homebrew mast mounted preamplifier. Everything was supplied by two 12V 7A Gel batteries.” said Hector CO6CBF