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[jamsat-news:1097] * SpaceNews 01-Jun-99 *
SB NEWS @ AMSAT $SPC0601
* SpaceNews 01-Jun-99 *
BID: $SPC0601
=========
SpaceNews
=========
MONDAY JUNE 1, 1999
* SEARCH FOR ET AT HOME *
=========================
SETI@home is a scientific experiment that attempts to harness the power
of hundreds of thousands of Internet-connected computers in the Search
for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). Anyone can participate
in this experiment by running a computer program that downloads and
analyzes radio telescope data captured by scientists and sends results
back to the SETI Institute. By sharing the processing work among
hundreds of thousands of small computers, vast quantities of information
can be processed without the need for expensive supercomputers. Over
350,000 people are participating in this experiment thus far, and this
number is expected to grow rapidly. Since the analysis performed by
the SETI@home software operates during a computer's "idle time", it
does not interfere with normal computer operations.
Versions of the SETI@home software are available for many popular
operating systems such as Unix (including Linux, SCO, and the various
BSDs), Macintosh, BeOS, and Windoze (95/98/NT).
Sponsors and technology partners of SETI@home include The Planetary Society,
The University of California Digital Media Innovation Program, Paramount
Pictures, Sun Microsystems, Fuji Film Computer Products, Informix,
Engineering Design Team, The Santa Cruz Operation (SCO), Quantum Corporation,
and The SETI Institute. SETI@home is also supported by private donations,
and is based at the University of California at Berkeley.
Further information is available at the SETI@home web page at:
http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/
* RS-13 QSL INFO *
==================
As reported earlier, RS-13's "ROBOT" CW autotransponder is currently
active on an uplink frequency of 145.840 MHz and a downlink frequency
of 29.504 MHz.
Those wishing to confirm their RS-13 ROBOT contact may send their QSL
card along with their RS-13 ROBOT QSL number to:
Radio Sport Federation
BOX 88
Moscow
[Info via Tony, AB2CJ]
* TECHSAT NEWS *
================
Shlomo Menuhin, 4X1AS, reports that the TECHSAT satellite homepage has been
recently updated. The updates include new information on the experiments
carried onboard the TECHSAT satellite. News of interest to amateur radio
operators will be added shortly. The URL for the TECHSAT page is:
http://techsat.internet-zahav.net/
Work on activating the satellite's digital communication transponder is
is now a first priority, and controllers are hopeful it will be operational
shortly. Additional TECHSAT information will be presented at the 1999
AMSAT-UK Colloquium later this year.
* FO-29 NEWS *
==============
The JARL has announced a new FO-29 operating schedule that includes
a period of Mode JA analog transponder operation during this year's
ARRL Field Day weekend.
Mon 24-May-99 -to- Mon 31-May-99 : Mode JA
Mon 31-May-99 -to- Mon 07-Jun-99 : Mode JD 1200 baud BPSK mailbox
Mon 07-Jun-99 -to- Mon 14-Jun-99 : Mode JA
Mon 14-Jun-99 -to- Mon 21-Jun-99 : Mode JD 1200 baud BPSK mailbox
Mon 21-Jun-99 -to- Mon 05-Jul-99 : Mode JA
[Info via Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK]
* OSCAR-36 NEWS *
=================
UO-36 has been heard transmitting data on 437.025 MHz at 38400 baud.
Usually this downlink is operational in addition to the 9k6 downlink
on 437.400 MHz when the spacecraft is in sunlight or in range of the
command station in Surrey, England. Peter Guelzow, DB2OS shares an
almost identical footprint with the OSCAR-36 command station in Surrey,
and was able to "grab" several thumbnail and higher resolution earth
images taken by OSCAR-36 in recent weeks while they were being downloaded
by the OSCAR-36 command station.
Peter used a TNC31S along with a 38k4 G3RUH modem and SYMEK's TRX4S
highspeed data transceiver to receive the high speed transmissions from
OSCAR-36. The TRX4S is capable of 153k6 baud operation using an 300 kHz
filter. Peter's version uses an 110 kHz filter, which is still fine for
76k8 operation and also works great at 38k4. No doppler correction is
needed with the wide bandwidths involved. The TNC31S was modified to
support 9k6 uplink while receiving at 38k4. For 9k6 Uplink on 2-meters,
Peter uses his old Kenwood TS-711.
Peter reports receiving relatively strong 70-cm downlink signals from
OSCAR-36 due to the satellite's quadrifilar antennas and 10-watt output
power. However, since the TRX4S was originally designed for terrestrial
use, it's necessary to use a preamplifier for better reception.
Peter has been able to capture large files without any missing packets.
He's able to download about 1.5 MB of data data per pass depending on
how actively Surrey is downloading pictures. Downloading these many
and large image files at 9600 baud is nearly hopeless, and Peter is
even looking forward to seeing the downlink running at 76.8 Kbaud.
Peter reports that Colin Hurst, VK5HI, is currently modifying his CCD
Display software to include support for the UO-36 format. The thumbnail
images can already be displayed after renaming the UTxxxxx.imt files to
TMxxxxx.imt files and loading them into CCD Display by clicking on them
in the Explorer. Some of the .imi files can also be displayed partially.
We may expect a newer version from Colin when he gets all the necessary
picture format information and enough time to develop this software, so
please be patient with him.
English written information about the TRX4S can be found at:
http://symek.com/tnc-g/trx4s-ds.htm
Chris Jackson, G7UPN reports that the 437.025MHz downlink will eventually
be switched to 437.400 MHz (the current 9k6 downlink frequency), and
9600 baud operations on this frequency will be switched off.
* PREDICTIONS VIA E-MAIL *
==========================
Frits Westra reports that orbital predictions for satellites including
the Space Shuttle and amateur satellites can be received from NASA via
electronic mail. Details are available at the following URL:
http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/RealTime/JPass/PassGenerator/
* THANKS! *
===========
Thanks to all those who sent messages of appreciation for SpaceNews in
recent weeks, especially:
N1NEG N2JUX VU2SXA N3ZLL W4AD N0AYL PA0DVM
* FEEDBACK/INPUT WELCOMED *
===========================
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(John, KD2BD) via any of the paths listed below:
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