Bill McArthur really HAMMING it up!

I hope that some of NASA's hams on the ground like Kenneth N5VHO, tell Bill how much the ham radio community appreciates his voice activity!

I told him this afternoon, "Bill I just want to thank for getting on the air as much as you do. The HAMS really appreciate it!"

I talked to him around 2055 UTC from my mobile in Monterey, Ca. across the street from the Naval Postgraduate School where Bill has been many times.
I had a visitor with me too, and he thought I was blowing smoke when I told him it was very possible to talk to the ISS today. Well, he is a believer now! He even got to say 'Hi' to Bill.

It looks like Bill will remain active on the air until he returns to terra firma. I hope everyone is able to say hi to Bill with their kids in the shack to say a quick hi too.
Bill likes kids, and I am sure he would like to hear from your kid. All my kids, wife, sister, mother,family and friends have had the opportunity to hear or talk to someone in space. This is always way too cool to everyone that gets this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Out of these brief contacts throughout the years, I have elmered 3 kids to become HAMS, (just from space QSO's) and as far as I am concerned, that is one of the greatest
accomplishments that one can get out of this hobby of ours. Education of our kids should be a priority! If you want to talk to ISS you NEED to become a HAM!

So, get your kids involved. If you don't have any kids, invite the neighbor's kids over. Find a school in your neighborhood and set up a scheduled ARISS QSO with ISS. I have had 3 schools set up and ready to go in the past with MIR and ISS.

ALL 3 scheduled were a BUST.. never happened due to space station emergencies! I thought 3rd time was going to be a charm... I am too tired of getting shot down and embarrassed, so no more attempts with schools for me. I have had my "luck" all other times except for when contacts were scheduled. Go figure.... HI

Make sure you tell Bill thanks for being there for all HAMS around the world!

73, and good luck!
Scott WA6LIE
Salinas, Ca.