I am still looking for an opportunity to get the equipment installed in the new truck, so no operating on HF yet. All I basically need are entry holes for the DC power through the firewall in front and for the RF/antenna control cables in the rear to be up and running again. I am not confident of my own skills in punching holes in a new truck so I plan on using a commercial installation company to do the work and I have not had a chance to schedule the necessary time yet.
But I may have an opportunity to do some operating in a brand new mode for me soon. I was able to win an auction for an Arrow II satellite antenna on Ebay so I will be looking for satellite passes before long. See you on the birds? Maybe.
Well, someone heard me! I worked an SO-50 pass today at 5:30 local time and heard KE5GDB come back to my call. It was not a favorable pass for my location, with a maximum elevation of about 30 degrees shooting through the trees, but I was heard! I am using the Yaesu VX2R habndheld with the Arrow antenna at about 3 watts.
Now that Echo is rebooted and available again, I should be able to get a few more satellite QSOs in the book.
Now I need to pick up some accessories for my new operating mode - a bag for the antenna especially, and an SMA to BNC adapter for the VX2R. I am hoping I can find something at Ham Com in 3 weeks.