Posts: 141
From: Kissimmee, FL USA
Registered: Aug 2010

posted 01-29-2024 03:40 PM               

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I'm looking for a launch cover for OSCAR-3. My dad was a HAM radio operator and used the OSCAR birds for many contacts.

I have launch covers for every launch except OSCAR-3 and can't seem to find one. It was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base on March 9, 1965 along with seven Air Force satellites. If anyone has a cover for this launch that they are willing to part with please let me know. Thank you!

Posts: 3767
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001

posted 01-29-2024 03:56 PM               

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I'll see if I have any Eddie at no charge and do you know if there was a Swanson SpaceCraft cover issue for OSCAR-3?

Cool story that your Dad actually linked up to those earlier OSCAR satellites as a HAM radio operator (my Dad also was a Ham user during that era but I don't know if/what satellites were used).

Posts: 141
From: Kissimmee, FL USA
Registered: Aug 2010

posted 01-29-2024 07:15 PM               

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Thanks Ken! I am only interested in the first 10 OSCAR launches but have been unable to locate OSCAR-3. I have all of the rest. Joe Fitzpatrick and Carl Swanson of Space Craft Covers did not produce a cover for the OSCAR-3 launch. They were pretty consistent covering launches but did skip a few of the all-military launches.

Dad used mostly OSCAR-6 and OSCAR-7 along with a couple of the early Russian RS birds. Dad was actually the 5th person in the world to achieve recognition by the American Radio Relay League for Satellite DXCC. That is working 100 countries by satellite and receiving confirmation via QSL card. Dad, along with two other HAMs in his radio club in New Jersey were among the first five to achieve Satellite DXCC.

Posts: 343
From: Derbyshire UK
Registered: Mar 2023