A meeting of radio amateurs interested in operating on the low earth-orbiting satellites was held on Saturday, November 15th at the QTH of ZS6WB near Pretoria. The meeting began at 10 AM and attendees were ZR6RBJ, ZS6AC, ZS6BNE, ZS6BQS, ZS6DNO, ZS6OB, ZS6TW and ZS6WB.

Initial discussions included characteristics of the satellites currently active and the recommended operating techniques to be used.

We then discussed various ways of promoting more local operation to take advantage of the several satellites currently in orbit and available for use by any licensed amateur that is suitably equipped. Eddie, ZS6BNE was appointed as PR spokesman for the group and given the responsibility of promoting LEO satellite operation and whenever possible letting the general public know more about this interesting aspect of amateur radio.

S A AMSAT was discussed and all present were in agreement that individual
membership is important for our group as the AMSAT organization is the prime mover for the development and launch arrangements of new amateur satellites.

S A AMSAT membership applications were distributed to those who were not
already members.

Sarel, ZS6AC will be spending the month of December in the Seychelles and we spent a few minutes talking about his best choice for portable satellite equipment and antennas to take along so he can talk to the gang back here on the mainland while he is enjoying his island holiday. Sarel will be returning to South Africa in early January, just in time to join us for the
VHF DXpedition to Namibia.

The meeting ended just before lunchtime and everyone went away having learned a bit more about his hobby. These get-togethers are especially useful to satellite operators as a brief satellite pass doesn't offer the opportunity to ragchew and discuss these subjects in detail.

Hal  ZS6WB