Ian White GM3SEK wrote:
Fernando Diaz wrote:

I believe that the Arecibo Observatory antenna was used for a moonbouce
QSO...!
KP4DX - Luis


Several times. The old 400MHz feed would work at 432, so on days when
the moon was at the right elevation in the sky, they had maybe 20
minutes operating time as it passed directly over the dish.

As memory serves (cant find the article, in old VHFer magazine),
fellow in Portland Oregon copied Sam Harris W1FZJ, wit a 1/4 wave
whip stuck into the antenna jack of his Parks Converter, on 432!
Said they could hear Sam's beard rubbing against the mic !!

Also, what of the original "ECHO" , a metalic baloon launched as a
satellite- acted as a reflector - was pretty big for it's day, tho
obviously, not the most effecient. Jim NN7K