[jamsat-news:496] ANS-055 WEEKLY BULLETINS

["BJ Arts" <bjarts@uslink.net>]

SB SAT @ AMSAT  $ANS-055.01
PHASE 3D HELP NEEDED

HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 055.01 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, FEBRUARY 24, 1997
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-055.01

In preparation for final tests and acceptance by the European Space
Agency of our Phase 3-D carrying structure (SBS) for flight, the Phase 3-D
Development Laboratory in Orlando, Florida now has an urgent requirement
for the on-site loan and use of the following equipment items:

An instrumentation A-D converter and scanner card designed for use in a
personal computer (PC) along with the appropriate DOS or Windows-based
software that can handle data processing for "rosette strain gauge data".

The A-D/Scanner card must also have an appropriately coupled external
interface (IF) unit suitable to directly input resistance measurements from
strain gauges which have already been procured and are now on-site at the
P3-D Lab in Florida.  Additionally, the A-D/Scanner/IF combination and
software must be able to process at least 16 channels of data, if not 32
channels.

While not absolutely essential, it would also be very helpful if a person
who is intimately familiar with the calibration, functioning and processing
tasks of such equipment could also be present for up to a week to 10 days
in the late March/early April, 1997 time frame at the P3-D Laboratory in
Florida to help conduct these tests. Nominal travel and lodging expenses to
and from Orlando can be arranged and/or reimbursed by AMSAT if mutually
agreed upon (in advance) by both AMSAT and the qualified individual
concerned. 

We anticipate only the need to borrow the above instrumentation for a short
period of time during these tests.  If suitable loaner equipment cannot be
located, scarce program funds will be required to purchase these items as
their use in conducting these tests is flight critical.  

If anyone knows of a source where these items can be leased, rented or
otherwise obtained quickly, or who knows of someone with the appropriate
skills and time to give us on-site help with these tasks, please contact
one of the following individuals with whatever detailed information about
this issue that you may have:

        Keith Baker, KB1SF ("kb1sf@amsat.org")/FAX: 937-429-5325) or 
        Dick Jansson, WD4FAB (wd4fab@amsat.org")/FAX: 407-644-9782  

[ANS thanks Keith Baker, KB1SF, Executive Vice President
AMSAT-NA for this information.]

/EX

SB SAT @ AMSAT  $ANS-055.02
A0-10 UPDATE

HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 055.02 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, FEBRUARY 24, 1997
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-055.02

Based on the altered drag coefficient that Stacey E. Mills ,W4SM, discussed
recently, Ken Ernandes, N2WWD, brought the AO-10 keps forward in time to
EPOCH TIME 97054.5. Mills checked these out, and he agrees with Ken
Ernandes that they are virtually identical to the drag altered keps that
W4SM posted last week. Bringing the EPOCH TIME forward may aid some
tracking routines. These should be quite good for tracking AO-10 for the
next several months.  If necessary, the keps be "tweeked."  Any
observations regarding the use of these elements should be directed to Ken
Ernandes (n2wwd@amsat.org) and Stacey E. Mills (w4sm@amsat.org).
 
AO-10       
1 14129U 83058B   97054.50000000  .00000010  00000-0  57107-5 0  5005  
2 14129  25.8792 163.0281 6052907  93.3854 313.1701  2.05882272103000

BTW:  AO-10 IS IN PERIGEE ECLIPSE season, so watch your tracking routine
and listen for the telltale FM'ing that signals the onset of these
eclipses, as perigee approaches.  Please terminate transmissions when
FM'ing begins. 

[ANS thanks Stacey E. Mills ,W4SM, and Ken Emandes, N2WWD,
 for this news.]
 
/EX

SB SAT @ AMSAT  $ANS-055.03
FIRE EXTINGUISHED ON MIR

HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 055.03 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, FEBRUARY 24, 1997
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-055.03

A problem with an oxygen-generating device on the Mir space
station last night set off fire alarms and caused minor damage to
some hardware on the station.  No injuries to any of the six
crewmembers on board were reported.  The fire was located in the
Kvant 1 module.

The fire, which began at 10:35 p.m. Sunday, Moscow time,
burned for about 90 seconds.  The crew was exposed to heavy smoke
for five to seven minutes and donned masks in response.  After
completing physical exams of everyone on board, U.S. astronaut
Jerry Linenger, a physician, reported that all crewmembers are in
good health.  Medical personnel have directed them to wear goggles
and masks until an analysis of the Mir atmosphere has been
completed.

Lithium perchlorate candles are burned to generate
supplemental oxygen when more than three people are on board the
space station.  The oxygen-generating candles usually burn for
five to 20 minutes.  Russian officials believe the problem began
when a crack in the oxygen generator's shell allowed the contents
of the cartridge to leak into the hardware in which it was
located.  Crewmembers extinguished the fire with foam from three
fire extinguishers, each containing two liters of a water-based
liquid.

The damage to some of Mir's hardware resulted from excessive
heat rather than from open flame.  The heat destroyed the hardware
in which the device, known as a "candle," was burning, as well as
the panel covering the device.  The crew also reported that the
outer insulation layers on various cables were melted by the heat.
It is reported by Russian flight controllers that all Mir systems
continue to operate normally, however.

"It is unfortunate that this incident occurred, but we are
thankful that there were no injuries," said Frank Culbertson,
Director of the Phase One Shuttle-Mir program.  "Russian
management and operations specialists have been very informative
as to what happened, and we are working closely with them on
evaluating the health of the crew and how best to respond to the
damage," added Culbertson. "The crew did a great job handling 
the fire, and the ground support has been excellent on both sides."

In addition to Linenger, the Mir crewmembers include Mir 22
cosmonauts Valery Korzun and Alexander Kaleri, Mir 23 cosmonauts
Vasily Tsibliev and Alexander Lazutkin, and German researcher
Reinhold Ewald, representing the German space agency, DARA.
Korzun, Kaleri and Ewald are scheduled to return to Earth on
Sunday as previously planned to wrap up a six-month mission for
Korzun and Kaleri and three weeks of scientific experiments for
Ewald.  Linenger will remain aboard Mir until mid-May with
Tsibliev and Lazutkin.

Officials are evaluating possible impacts to the mission and
its science activities, as technical experts at the Russian
Mission Control Center investigate the incident. The burned panel
and other materials may be returned to Earth with Korzun, Kaleri
and Ewald on Sunday for further analysis

[ANS thanks Rob Navias of the Johnson Space Center 
for this news report.]

/EX

SB SAT @ AMSAT  $ANS-055.04
NEW AWARD 

HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 055.04 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, FEBRUARY 24, 1997
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-055.04

The W A A S (Worked all analogue satellites) diploma is given to those who
have worked through particular analogue spacecraft between 1st Jan and 1st
July 1997. All claims must be in by 30 December 1997 and include two UK
pounds or three US dollars to defray costs; QSL cards are necessary for
proof. There are two classes; the class-II award is for contacts through
AO-10, AO-27, RS-10, RS-15, FO-20, FO-29, and Mir (presumably SAFEX), and
the class-I award adds RS-12 as well for a total of eight satellites. 
For more information about the awards contact:
 The Award Manager,
 OE3JIS Josef  Maier,
 PO Box 116, A-1172,
 Vienna,
 Austria.

[ANS thanks Richard W L Limebear, G3RWL, for this 
update.]

/EX

SB SAT @ AMSAT  $ANS-055.05
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 1

HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 055.05 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, FEBRUARY 24, 1997
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-055.05

FO-29 
Voice/CW
(Uplink 145.9-146.0MHz CW/LSB, Downlink 435.8-435.9MHz CW/USB) 
Digital
(Uplink 145.85, 145.87, 145.910 MHz FM, Downlink 435.910 MHz FM 9600
baud BPSK)
FO-29 is in  digital mode at the current time.

[ANS thanks, Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK  for this update.]

MIR: 
(New frequencies implemented 1 January 1997:
Uplink 145.2 MHz FM
Downlink  145.8MHz FM) 
Note, the above split is used for both packet and voice operation.
Astronaut Jerry Linenger, KC5HBR,  was reported  to
have worked several stations on Friday 1/31/97 at 1030 UTC, as 
MIR passed over North America. Valery, R0MIR his working 
voice daily on night passes over EU.

[ANS thanks Francisco Costa, CT1EAT, for this report.]

SAFEX, MIR 70cm Repeater
(Uplink 435.750MHz FM, Downlink 437.950MHz FM, 
Subaudible tone 141.3 Hz)
The repeater is back up again and active.

RS-12: 
(Uplink 21.21-21.25MHz CW/SSB, Downlink 29.41-29.45MHz or
145.91-145.95Mhz CW/SSB) 
The sat is giving extremely good downlink signals on 2 meters. In
this period of poor propagation on 15 m, the T-mode is providing  very
easy access to the satellite. Interesting DX activity has been spotted 
in Europe with stations in Egypt, Crete, Cameroon, etc.

[ANS thanks Stefano Badessi, PA3FWP, for this report.]

RS-10: 
(Uplink 145.865-145.905MHz CW/SSB, Downlink 29.36-29.4MHz CW/SSB) 
Operating normally. Very busy with lots of QSOs heard over
north America and Europe.

RS-15
(Uplink 145.858-145.898MHz CW/SSB, Downlink 29.354-29.394MHz CW/SSB) 
Be aware that RS-15 has battery charging problems. When the satellite is
in the dark it has low output power..

[ANS thanks Geoff Perry  for this report.]
(Hint: If SSB doesn't work for you, try CW. CW is very easy
to hear on the downlink!)

KO-23 
(Uplink 145.85, 145.9MHz FM, Downlink 435.175MHz FM,
9600 Baud FSK.) 
KO-23 operating normally with high downlink efficiency.

KO-25:
(Uplink 145.87MHz FM, Downlink 436.5MHz FM,
9600 Baud FSK.)
KO-25 operating normally with high downlink efficiency. 
KO-25 returned to full service on 1/7/97. 

[ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, for his reports on
KO-25 and KO-23.]
 
AO-27:
(Uplink 145.85MHz FM, Downlink 436.8MHz FM) 
(Feb-22-97 10:26 UTC) It is working normally in its orbits 
on Europe.

[ANS thanks Miguel A. Menendez, EA1BCU, for this report.]

As of NOV 2, the AO-27 schedule is as follows:
  TEPR 4 = 16 = 8 Minutes in Length
  TEPR 5 = 52 = 18 Minutes in Length

  TX-3 is on Mid Power during TEPR 5.

This will have the TX turn on 8 Minutes after the satellite
enters the sun for a duration of 18 Minutes. This is a "back to US
Latitudes"operation.

N4USI, AO-27's current Command Station sends his thanks all for
their messages about the satellite turning on later than expected. He
reports he's deliberately letting the "turn on" time drift later
(for about 4-5 Minutes) so stations in the southern latitudes can also
have a chance to work AO-27.  Every few months he will be letting the
turn on time drift like this to give more stations a chance to make
contacts thru the satellite.

[ANS thanks  Michael, N4USI , AO-27 Control-op, for this
update.]

AO-10:
(Uplink 435.030-435.18MHz CW/LSB, Downlink 145.975-145.825MHz 
CW/USB) 
Operational 
QRP DX on AO-10   Frank G3MZU  worked DL6MBX  recently  on phone 
when AO-10 was at a range of 40,000Km.  Frank made the QSO with just 
25 Watts to a 23 element long yagi.  For the downlink 6El Quad and a
pre-amp.   

[ANS thanks John Heath, G7HIA,  Net Controller. For this report.]


/EX

SB SAT @ AMSAT  $ANS-055.06
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 2

HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 055.06 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, FEBRUARY 24, 1997
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-055.06

AMSAT-OSCAR-16 (PACSAT) 
(Uplink 145.9, 145.92, 145.94, 145.86MHz FM, Downlink 437.0513MHz SSB,
1200 Baud PSK.)
PACSAT (AO-16)
It is working normally in its orbits on Europe..
The WOD files are active again.
Graphic information about WOD/Telemetry values can be found
at:
http://arrakis.es/~ea1bcu/ao16.htm
[ANS thanks Miguel A. Menendez, EA1BCU, for this report.]

FO-20 
(Uplink 145.9-146.0MHz CW/LSB, Downlink 435.8-435.9MHz CW/USB) 
Operating normally. Strong downlink signal.

OSCAR-11
(Downlink 145.825MHz. FM, 1200 Baud PSK)
During the past month (18 December - 14 January) good, steady signals
have been received from OSCAR-11 on 145.826 MHz.
The  last  month  (14  January - 17 February) has been uneventful for
OSCAR-11.  Good, steady signals have been received from  the  145.826
MHz. beacon. Mirek, OK2AOK reports hearing the mode-S beacon on
January 25th.  The signals peaked at S6 on a pass  when  the  maximum
elevation was 21 degrees.

Telemetry  nominal.   The  solar  eclipses  have reduced the internal
temperatures by about eight degrees compared  to  the  full  sunlight
condition.  The  battery  appears  to be maintaining its charge.  The
spin period has varied from 300 to 378, but most of the  time  it  is
around 365 seconds.

The single WOD  survey  of  channels 1,  2,  3,  61,  (magnetometers)
dated 02-January-97  has  been   transmitted.   When  the  survey  is
changed,  I  will  put  the data I have collected on the web (see
below for URL)

Four AMSAT bulletins by Richard G3RWL  have  been  uploaded.   Topics
have  included  RS-16,  MIR  frequencies  & schools QSO, AMSAT-QATAR,
Microsat 7th anniversary
Note: 
UO-11 transmits on 145.825 MHz fm with 1200/2400Hz tones in what used to be
known as the Kansas City (CUTS) tone standard. The bulletin has always
included the latest keplerian elements for UO-11 plus other orbital
elements when relevant; a plea for feedback; and electronic and mail
addresses for comment can be sent to Richard W L Limebear, G3RWL, at the
following e-mail address. 
g3rwl@amsat.org

[ANS thanks  Clive Wallis, G3CWV, and Richard W L Limebear, G3RWL,
for this information.]

IO-26 ( ITAMSAT):
(Uplink 145.875, 145.9, 145.925, 145.95MHz FM, Downlink 435.822MHz SSB,
1200 Baud PSK.)
IO-26 controllers report that the spacecraft is now in IHT mode.  The new
ROBOT software is under currently undergoing tests.  The beacon reports
that the digipeater is OFF and that the ROBOT is undergoing tests.
Controllers ask that groundstations please do not transmit on any of
the satellite's uplink frequencies for the time being.

[ANS thanks Daniele Piercarlo, IK2XRO, ITMSAT Command Station for this
report.]

DO-17(DOVE)
( Downlink 145.825MHz FM, 1200 Baud AFSK.)
>DOVE-1>BRAMST/V [02/06/97 12:50:08]: <UI>:
>DOVE is undergoing tests in preparation for its full commissioning.
>Thank you for your patience
According to Jim White, WD0E, Microsat Command Station,
"This message is hard coded into the DOVE PHT software from 1992.  We load
this version of PHT first because it is solid and proven.  We always change
this message to one more current as part of the startup sequence.  About
two minutes later it was changed to:
"S-band is on.
Power 1 Watt day/night.
DOVE Command Team
(WD0E)"
During the same few minutes we turned on the s-band transmitter, reduced
the 2 meter power from about 3.5W to 1W (to allow continuos support of
s-band), changed the telemetry interval to 30 seconds (also to reduce power
consumption), and set the UTC time."

[ANS thanks Jim White, WD0E, of the DOVE Command Team
for this report.]

LUSAT-OSCAR-19 
(Uplink 145.84, 145.86, 145.88, 145.9MHz FM, Downlink 437.1528MHz SSB,
1200 Baud PSK AX.25.)
LUSAT (LO-19)is  working excellently in its orbits on Europe.

[ANS thanks Miguel A. Menendez, EA1BCU, for this report.]

WEBERSAT (WO-18) 
(Downlink 437.104MHz SSB, 1200 Baud PSK AX.25.)
WO-18 is back up and taking pictures again.

[ANS thanks Tommy Davis, IK3WVJ,  for this report.]

[Please send your Satellite or News reports to ANS Editor B.J. Arts, WT0N,
via e-mail, at bjarts@uslink.net or to wt0n@amsat.org]

/EX

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BJ Arts  
WT0N in EN-37,  ARMY MARS AAR5EL
Hibbing, Minnesota. U.S.A.
e-mail bjarts@uslink.net or wt0n@amsat.org
Amsat News Service Bulletin Editor