Start 2005 with SKN and AO-51 Kid's Day

2005 will be getting off to an excellent start for satellite operators with both a returning favourite event and something new.

OSCAR SKN 2005 will run for 24 hours, 0000-2400 UTC, on 1 January 2005. It's very simple: no rules, no scoring, and no need to send in a log. Just operate CW through any OSCAR satellite using a straight hand key, working as many other SKN participants as you can. Contacts via the moon (OSCAR Zero) count too.

As in past years, all participants are requested to nominate one of the operators they worked for "Best Fist" recognition. Your nominee need not have the best fist of those you heard, just of those you worked. Please send all nominations to Ray Soifer at w2rs@amsat.org.

Amsat Kids Day on AO-51
To coincide with the ARRL's Kids Day on January 2, 2004, Amsat-NA will sponsor Kids Day on AO-51. The event will run from approximately 1600 utc 2 Jan to 0345 utc 3 Jan.

We ask that all amateur radio stations give this short time window to promote satellite operations with kids. If not actually showing a kid how to make contacts via AO-51, then providing a station to contact, or stepping aside to allow others to make contacts with the kids.

AO-51 will be configured in the following mode during the event. Please note the change in the uplink frequency for the event. Uplink: 145.880 mhz FM voice, 67hz tone Downlink: 435.300 mhz FM voice

[ANS thanks Ray, W2RS and Mike, KE4AZN for the above information]

Other recent stories..