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[jamsat-news:1130] Re: ANS-212
- From: Robin Haighton <ve3frh@globalserve.net>
- Date: Sat, 31 Jul 1999 21:38:54 -0400
- References: <01BEC7B2.C1F94EC0@usr2-port223.wikstrom.pilec.mr.net>
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS 212
ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT
North America, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation.
ANS reports on the activities of a worldwide group of
Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in
designing, building, launching and communicating
through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites.
AMSAT-NA is pleased to announce that recent and future
development in amateur radio satellites will be presented
in San Diego, California, -October 8-11, 1999--
at the 17th Space Symposium and AMSAT-NA Annual Meeting.
More information is available from Symposium chair,
Duane Naugle, KO6BT, at: ko6bt@amsat.org
Information on AMSAT-NA is available at the following URL:
http://www.amsat.org (or)
AMSAT-NA
850 Sligo Avenue, Suite 600
Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
20910-4703
Voice: 301-589-6062
FAX: 301-608-3410
Currently, AMSAT-NA supports the following free mailing lists:
* AMSAT News Service (ANS)
* General satellite discussion (AMSAT-BB)
* Orbit data (KEPS)
* Manned space missions (SAREX)
* District of Columbia area (AMSAT-DC)
* New England (AMSAT-NE)
* AMSAT Educational Liaison mailing list (AMSAT-EDU)
To subscribe, or for more list information, visit the following
URL: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/listserv/menu.html
Due to a heavy workload Dan James is unable to act as Editor of
ANS for this issue or that of August 7th. Dan will resume his
duties for the issue of August 14th. (ANS-224)
Meanwhile Robin Haighton VE3FRH, Executive Vice President of
AMSAT-NA will attempt to emulate Dan's excellent work.
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-212.01
PHASE 3D UPDATE
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 212.01 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JULY 30, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-212.01
AMSAT Phase 3D Laboratory and Integration Manager Lou McFadin,
W5DID, tells ANS that Phase 3D is now at NASA facilities
in Washington, D.C. awaiting vibration and shake testing.
Some minor delays have taken place due to higher NASA
priorities
Current estimate is that P3D will be tested during
the week of August 9.
Meanwhile the P3D team is busy preparing the SBS and
ground support equipment for shipment once the launch is
announced.
[ANS thanks Lou McFadin, W5DID, AMSAT Phase 3D Laboratory and
Integration Manager and the entire Phase 3D team for this
information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-212.02
AMSAT JOURNAL: JLY/AUG '99 ISSUE
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 212.02 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JULY 30, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-212.02
Looking forward to reading the next issue of the AMSAT Journal?
Russ Tillman Editor of the AMSAT Journal advises ANS that the
July/August issue will contain many articles of interest to
AMSAT members and will have an international flavour.
Some of the Articles are as follows :
a) PANSAT - The Petite Amateur Navy Satellite - by Steve Bible
N7HPR and Dan Sakodka, KD6DRA
(Learn about the Spread Spectrum aspects -Ed).
b) P3D Roll-out and Vibration Testing, by Peter Guzelow DB2RS
and Lou McFadin W5DID.
c) A chat with Andy Thomas, by Chris Edmondson, VK3CE.
d) MIR QSL cards, by Andy Renolds WD9IYT.
e) Joint NASA-Energia Meeting on Amateur Radio and the
International Space Station
f) Observations from Norway, by John Hacket LA2QAA
g) San Diego Registration form for the 17 Space Symposium
h) AMSAT Journal Telemetry
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-212.03
STS-93 SAREX OPERATIONS
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 212.03 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JULY 04, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-212.03
The flight of the Space Amateur Radio Experiment (SAREX) on
STS-93 marked the end of an era.
Ham Radio first started when Owen Garriot, W5LFL, carried
amateur radio hardware on the STS-9 mission. Since then SAREX
has flown 25 times on board the space shuttle.
The hardware configuration on STS-93 was a motorola 2-meter
handheld radio, a packet TNC, and an experimental Digital Signal
Processor (DSP). SAREX was intended to work on the space shuttle
orbiter Columbia's internal power bus. But battery packs were
flown for SAREX as a backup. More information on the SAREX
operations on STS-93 is available at :
htp://garc.gsfc.nasa.gov/kc6rol/sts93.html.
More information about SAREX is available at the SAREX home page
: http://sarex.gsfc.nasa.gov.
The STS-93 crew had expressed a lot of interest in amateur radio
operations. Their operations plan was to leave the packet rig
active during their sleep time. This plan meshed well with the
STS-93 orbit. The low inclination (28 degrees) limited the
quality of passes for those at high latitudes.
The daytime passes, with the crew operating on voice, would occur
over the Western hemisphere.
The crew sleep periods tended to occur over the Eastern
hemisphere.
The packet TNC was configured for the usual SAREX robot mode of
operations. This returns a unique serial number to the ham who
successfully completes a complete connect/disconnect AX25 packet
connection. In addition Bob Bruninga and the APRS working group
developed a set of recommendations for using the STS-93 SAREX
configuration for APRS digipeating.
STS-93 got off to a rocky start after two failed launch attempts.
A fuel leak during lift off resulted in Columbia reaching a lower
orbit than planned. This caused mission controllers in Houston
extra work when they had to re-plan experiments to compensate for
the different orbit.
Initial setup of the SAREX hardware was delayed due to problems
with the orbiter power bus. The SAREX antenna also proved to be a
source of problems. Shuttle command Eileen Collins spent a great
deal of time debugging the configuration. She was able to solve
the power problems and retuned the SAREX antenna in a different
window.
Five schools were scheduled to speak with the STS-93 crew via
amateur radio. These were:-
AWTY International School, Houston Tx.
Buzz Aldrin Elementary School, Reston, VA.
Harbor View Elementary School, Corona Del Mar, CA.
Memorial Middle School, Pharr, Tx.
Osceola Elementary School, Ormond Beach, Fl.
The first school contact for STS-93, the Buzz Aldrin, was
scheduled for little more than a day after launch. The Buz Aldrin
contact was not successful, with very low down link audio signal
from the orbiter. Shuttle commander Eileen Collins heard the
school quite clearly. Commander Collins retuned the antenna which
was then used for a very successful QSO for shuttle pilot Ashby.
The Harbor View Elementary School contact went very well. But the
Awty International school contact was very poor and not
successful. The Osceola Elementary school and the Memorial Middle
School had great contacts on the first try.
There was a very successful conversation between the cosmonauts
in the space station MIR and the astronauts on Columbia which was
possible because of amateur radio. The orbits of the shuttle and
MIR did not permit a direct contact between the two using amateur
radio. The W5RRR club station at the Johnson Space Station was
used to establish a Ham link with the MIR station, the club
station was then tied into the shuttle communications network.
After a lot of planning by shuttle mission controllers the two
failed school attempts were rescheduled for late in the shuttle
mission. Both Buzz Aldrin and Awty International School were
successful on the second attempt.
There were few reports of general QSO activity on STS-93. The
problems with the orbiter hardware and the very busy schedule of
this short mission preempted much of the voice QSO activity.
Other experiments on the orbiter required it to be pointing out
into deep space, away from the earth. This made it very difficult
for both general voice and packet connections.
The tremendous success of amateur radio on the space shuttle and
MIR has resulted in very strong support from the professional
human space flight community. Because of this amateur radio has a
permanent place on board the International Space Station (ISS).
Go to :-
htp://garc.gsfc.nasangov/~ariss for more information about the
future of amateur radio on board the ISS.
ANS thanks Will Marchant KC6ROL, AMSAT-NA SAREX Operations
manager
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-212.04
ANS IN BRIEF
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 212.04 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JULY 31, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-212.04
ANS news in brief this week includes the following:
** The registration form for the AMSAT-NA 17th Space Symposium
to
be held at the HANALEI HOTEL in San Diego October 8 to 10, 1999
has been mailed to all AMSAT-NA members, please register early
and book the Hotel early in order to avoid disappointment.
The hotel telephone number is (619)-279-1101 (local and
international) and 1-800-882-0858 in Canada and the USA.
** Together and with the registration form, is the ballot for
this years election to the BOARD OF DIRECTORS of AMSAT-NA.
Please remember to return your ballots to AMSAT-NA HQ.
Closing Date is September 15th 1999, and ballots not received
by that date will not be counted. -ANS
** Need the latest Keps? AMSAT's N2WWD usually updates his web
site with fresh orbital data daily.
Check it out at the following URL:
http:www.mindspring.com/~n2wwd. -ANS
** Last Weekend (July 23 to 25) AMSAT-UK held their annual
Colloquium at the University of Surrey, Guildford U.K.
About 80 people from 18 countries, and 5 continents attended.
Beginner Sessions were for the first time included, and a small
team of testers with sophisticated test equipment did sterling
service with Drake 2880 converters.
For a full report see the AMSAT-UK bulletin board at
http://www.uk.amsat.org
ANS thanks Richard Limebear G3RWL for this report
** The following appeared in the online version of the GSFC
(Goddard Space flight Center) in house news letter.......
"Amateur Radio Satellite Visits Goddard
The Latest and largest amateur radio satellite, AMSAT Phase 3D,
was at Goddard last week (and this -ED) for vibration testing
to certify the spacecraft safe for a launch scheduled for
later this year (or early next -ED). This project has been
ongoing for about eight years and is funded mostly by out
of pocket contributions from the Ham radio operators of
the world, and built mostly by volunteer labor of several
hundred people.
Check out the latest on the following web site:
<http://pao.gsfc.nasa.gov/gsfc/gnews/073099/073099.htm#radio>"
ANS Thanks Dr Thomas A. Clark W3IWI for this information.
** The 1999 ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications Conference will
be held September 24-26, 1999 in Phoenix, Arizona. This year's
conference location is just minutes away from the Phoenix Sky
Harbor International Airport. More information is available at
the following web site: http://www.tapr.org/~wd5ivd.
-Greg, WD5IVD
** Need an easy to build satellite antenna? Jerry, K5OE, has put
some information on his web page describing an easy-to-build
Mode-J LEO antenna, based on a "new and improved" (higher gain)
version of the popular eggbeater series.
You can find the information at this URL:
http://members.aol.com/k5oejerry/eggbeater2.htm.
-Jerry, K5OE
/EX
--ANS BULLETIN END---
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-212.05
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 1
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 212.05 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JULY 31, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-212.05
MIR SAFEX II 70-cm Repeater
Uplink 435.750 MHz FM w/subaudible tone 141.3 Hz
Downlink 437.950 MHz FM
Seldom-operational. No operation in 1999 has been observed.
MIR SAFEX II 70-cm QSO Mode
Uplink 435.725 MHz FM w/subaudible tone 151.4 Hz
Downlink 437.925 MHz FM
Seldom-operational. No operation in 1999 has been observed.
MIR PERSONAL MESSAGE SYSTEM (PMS)
Uplink/Downlink 145.985 MHz FM 1200 baud AFSK
Semi-operational.
The PBBS is running a Kantronics KPC-9612+ V 8.1 TNC. The
commands are similar to most PBBS and BBS systems.
AMSAT-France announced that Air Force General Jean-Pierre
Haignere has been given a personal amateur radio callsign
to use aboard the Mir space station - FX0STB.
The QSL manager for FX0STB is:
Radio Club F5KAM
QSL manager MIR
22 rue Bansac
63000 Clermont Ferrand
France
Scott, WA6LIE, has a set of instructions on how to work the Mir
space station. Copies are available from Scott by e-mail at:
wa6lie@juno.com (or by packet) wa6lie@wa6lie.#wcca.ca.usa.noam
[ANS thanks Scott Avery, WA6LIE, and the MIREX team for Mir
status information]
RADIO SPORT RS-12
Uplink 21.210 to 21.250 MHz CW/SSB
Uplink 145.910 to 145.950 MHz CW/SSB
Downlink 29.410 to 29.450 MHz CW/SSB
Downlink 145.910 to 145.950 MHz CW/SSB
Beacon 29.408 MHz
Robot Uplink 21.129 MHz
Robot Downlink 29.454 MHz
Last reported to be semi-operational, beacon only.
RADIO SPORT RS-13
Uplink 21.260 to 21.300 MHz CW/SSB
Uplink 145.960 to 146.000 MHz CW/SSB
Downlink 29.460 to 29.500 MHz CW/SSB
Downlink 145.960 to 146.000 MHz CW/SSB
Beacon 29.458 MHz
Robot Uplink 145.840 MHz
Robot Downlink 29.504 MHz
Operational. Last reported in mode KA with a 10-meter downlink
and a 15-meter and 2-meter uplink.
RS-13's Robot CW auto-transponder is active. For confirmation of
a RS-13 Robot contact, send your QSL card along with the Robot
QSL number to:
Radio Sport Federation
Box 88
Moscow
Kevin, AC5DK, has information about RS-12/13 that contains a
simple explanation on how to operate on the satellite,
including a forum for operators to exchange information,
pose questions or even set up skeds via RS-12/13.
AC5DK's RS-12/13 Satellite Operators Page:
http://www.qsl.net/ac5dk/rs1213/rs1213.html
AC5DK's RS-12/13 Satellite Forum:
http://www.hotboards.com/powerforum/pwrforum.exe?who=rs1213
RS-12/13 command is now in the hands of Alex Papkov, in
Kaluga City, Russia.
[ANS thanks Tony, AB2CJ for RS-13 Robot QSL info]
RADIO SPORT RS-15
Uplink 145.858 to 145.898 MHz CW/SSB
Downlink 29.354 to 29.394 MHz CW/SSB
Beacon 29.352 MHz (intermittent)
SSB meeting frequency 29.380 MHz (unofficial)
Semi-operational, mode A, using a 2-meter uplink and a 10-meter
downlink.
Dave, WB6LLO, has operating information for both RS-15 and RS-13
on his personal web site. In addition to satellite data, antenna
information and AMSAT-NA Jewelry Contest information is also
featured. The WB6LLO web site URL is:
http://home.san.rr.com/doguimont/uploads
OSCAR 10 AO-10
Uplink 435.030 to 435.180 MHz CW/LSB
Downlink 145.975 to 145.825 MHz CW/USB
Beacon 145.810 MHz (unmodulated carrier)
Semi-operational, mode B. AO-10 has been locked into a 70-cm
uplink and a 2-meter downlink for several years.
Jerry, K5OE reports receiving his QSL for T98LWT. On the card is
"a lovely picture of the most impressive rover setup--not
everybody attaches a tower to their mini-van!. The card says
there were 97 AO-10 QSO's"
Mike N1JEZ reports receiving his QSL for S92RS.]
AO-10 continues to be usable however the QSB is very deep and
slow. If you have a second VFO on your rig, use it to
monitor the beacon as this will tell you when AO-10
emerges from its fades.
Masa, JN1GKZ, reports his web page shows the current AO-10 spin
period and spin rate (by measuring the beacon with FFTDSP
software).
The JN1GKZ web site can be found at the following URL:
http://www.din.or.jp/~m-arai/ao10/beacone.htm
W4SM has more information about the satellite at the following
URL:
http://www.cstone.net/~w4sm/AO-10.html
[ANS thanks Stacey Mills, W4SM, for his AO-10 status information
and web site]
AMRAD AO-27
Uplink 145.850 MHz FM
Downlink 436.795 MHz FM
Operational, mode J.
The TEPR (Timed Eclipse Power Regulation) states were reset on
20-June-99 as follows:
TEPR 4 is 42 and TEPR 5 is 78.
[ANS thanks Chuck Wyrick, KM4NZ, and Michael Wyrick, N4USI, for
AO-27 information]
JAS-1b FO-20
Uplink 145.900 to 146.000 MHz CW/LSB
Downlink 435.800 to 435.900 MHz CW/USB
Operational. FO-20 is in mode JA continuously.
[ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for the FO-20 status reports]
JAS-2 FO-29
Voice/CW Mode JA
Uplink 145.900 to 146.000 MHz CW/LSB
Downlink 435.800 to 435.900 MHz CW/USB
Semi-operational, rotated with digital mode and digi-talker.
Digital Mode JD
Uplink 145.850 145.870 145.910 MHz FM
Downlink 435.910 MHz FM 9600 baud BPSK
Digitalker 435.910 MHz
Semi-operational, rotated with analog mode and digi-talker.
Kazu, JJ1WTK, tells ANS that the FO-29 operational
schedule (announced by the JARL) is as follows:
Through July 26 (Mon) - Aug 09 (Mon) JA
Aug 9 (Mon) - Aug 12 (Thu) JD1200
Aug 12 (Thu) - Aug 23 (Mon) JA
Aug 23 (Mon) - Aug 26 (Thu) JD1200
Aug 26 (Thu) - Sep 9 (Thu) JA
Mineo, JE9PEL, has updated his FO-29 satellite telemetry
analysis Program.
The software will automatically analyze all digital
telemetry from the satellite such as current, voltage and
temperature.
The JE9PEL FO-29/software update is available at:
http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/
[ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for the FO-29 status reports]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-212.06
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 2
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 212.06 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JULY 31, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-212.06
KITSAT KO-25
Uplink 145.980 MHz FM 9600 baud FSK
Downlink 436.500 MHz FM
Operational.
Jim, AA7KC, reports KO-25 is performing well with good downlink
efficiency.
[ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, for KO-25 status
information]
UOSAT UO-22
Uplink 145.900 or 145.975 MHz FM 9600 baud FSK
Downlink 435.120 MHz FM
Operational.
Carol, W9HGI, reports UO-22 is performing within acceptable
limits. W9HGI operates the West Coast Packet Satellite
Gateway (WSPG) for the Worldwide Packet Network (WPN).
More information on the satellite is available at the following
URL:
http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/EE/CSER/UOSAT/
[ANS thanks Carol Byers, W9HGI and Chris Jackson, G7UPN/ZL2TPO,
for UO-22 status information]
OSCAR-11
Downlink 145.825 MHz FM, 1200 baud AFSK
Mode-S Beacon 2401.500 MHz
Operational.
During the period 15 June to 16 July 1999 consistent signals
have been received from the 145.826 MHz. beacon.
The battery voltage during daylight passes has continued
to decrease slightly, the average value observed was 13.5,
with a range of 13.2 to 13.9 volts.
The internal temperatures have remained fairly constant during
this period. They are now 0.2C and minus 1.0c for battery and
telemetry electronics respectively. The maximum eclipse time
appears to have been reached, and should decrease in the
next few months. This should result in increased internal
temperatures and improved battery voltage.
The magnetorquer spin correction counters have now resumed their
nominal counting rates, after unusual behavour during the last
few months. The counting rate for the negative spin counter is
now about 6.5 counts per day, whilst the Z-axis counter
increments at about 11 counts per day. During the last week
the Z-axis counter reached it's maximum value of 1024,
causing the attitude corrections (magnetorquer firings) to stop.
When this happened the spin period slowly started to increase.
A value of -537 seconds was recorded before ground control
reset the counters on July 14. The spin period
has now dropped to a nominal value of -348 seconds.
The WOD survey dated 08-April-1999 of channels 39, 50, 52, & 63
(telemetry electronics temperature, battery charge current,
battery voltage, and BCR status), has been transmitted during
this period.
This starts at 1600 UTC. at the end of the period a new WOD
survey of channels 1,2,3,61 (magnetometers) dated 15 July 1999,
was started.
This should show the increased spin period mentioned above.
Reports of the mode-S beacon have been received from Ted WA2HKS
and Ken G8VR. Ted reports strong signals from overhead passes
using a 3 foot corner reflector, and a Drake converter.
On the other hand Ken uses an 18 element helix (G3RUH design),
and a Down East converter.
He commented that the antenna was very easy to construct and
pointed out that although many stations use a dish for Mode-S
satisfactory results can be obtained with simpler antennas.
Many thanks for those reports Ted and Ken.
The operating schedule is unchanged.
ASCII status (210 seconds)
ASCII bulletin (60 seconds)
BINARY SEU (30 seconds)
ASCII TLM (90 seconds)
ASCII WOD (120 seconds)
ASCII bulletin (60 seconds)
BINARY ENG (30 seconds)
The ASCII bulletin is currently a static message, detailing
modes and frequencies of all the current amateur radio
satellites.
There are additional status blocks after each bulletin is
transmitted, and between ASCII TLM and WOD.
The mode-S beacon is on, transmitting an unmodulated carrier,
but telemetry indicates that it has partially failed, and
delivering half power. This beacon is a useful test source
for those testing mode-S converters, prior to the launch
of Phase 3D. However the signals are very weak, and
there is a lot of doppler. Users should also note that
the polarization of OSCAR-11 is LHC. Even if you can't
hear OSCAR-11, your equipment may still be OK for P3D.
Any reports of reception on 2401 MHz. would be most welcome.
Please E-mail g3cwv@amsat.org
The 435.025 MHz. beacon is normally OFF. However it can
sometimes be heard when the satellite is being commanded
by ground control, ie. within the range of Guilford, UK.
When the 435 beacon is transmitting, the 145 beacon is
normally OFF. The data transmitted is mainly binary.
Listeners to OSCAR-11 may be interested in visiting the
G3CWV/OSCAR 11 web site. The web site contains details of
hardware required and some software for capturing data,
and decoding ASCII telemetry and WOD.
There is an archive of raw data (mainly WOD) for analysis,
which is continually being expanded, as new data is captured.
Also included are some audio files, examples of each type
of data transmitted by OSCAR 11, each one plays for about
ten seconds. There are also examples of mode-S reception.
All the audio files are Zipped, so that they can be played
off line. These should help listeners identify the various
types of data, and give an indication of the signal quality
required for successful decoding.
The URL is:
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/
[ANS thanks Clive Wallis, G3CWV, for OSCAR-11 status
information]
PACSAT AO-16
Uplink 145.90 145.92 145.94 145.86 MHz FM
using 1200 baud Manchester FSK
Downlink 437.0513 MHz SSB RC-BPSK 1200 baud PSK
Mode-S Beacon 2401.1428 MHz
Operating normally (with the exception of the mode-S beacon,
which is currently off).
General information and telemetry WOD files can be found at:
http://www.ctv.es/USERS/ea1bcu
A complete collection of WOD graphics corresponding to the
year of 1998 can be found at:
http://www.ctv.es/USERS/ea1bcu/wod1998.zip
[ANS thanks Miguel Menendez, EA1BCU, for AO-16 status
information]
LUSAT LO-19
Uplink 145.84 145.86 145.88 145.90 MHz FM
using 1200 baud Manchester FSK
Downlink 437.125 MHz SSB RC-BPSK 1200 baud PSK
Currently semi-operational.
No BBS service - EA1BCU and ANS have not received any
updated information for several months.
The digipeater is active.
http://www.ctv.es/USERS/ea1bcu/lo19.htm
[ANS thanks Miguel Menendez, EA1BCU, for LO-19 status
information]
TMSAT-1 TO-31
Uplink 145.925 MHz 9600 baud FSK
Downlink 436.925 MHz 9600 baud FSK
Operational.
ProcMail V2.00G has been released by G7UPN. This software
permits the processing of image files from TO-31.
It has been posted to the AMSAT-NA FTP site at the
following URL:
http://www.amsat.org/amsat/software/win32/wisp
[ANS thanks Chris Jackson, G7UPN/ZL2TPO, for TO-31 status
information]
PANSAT PO-34
Uplink/downlink frequencies have not been established.
The satellite is not currently available for general uplink
transmissions.
PanSat, developed by the Naval Postgraduate School, was launched
from the shuttle Discovery during STS-95. PanSat spread-spectrum
digital transponders will be available to amateur radio
operators in the near future along with software to utilize this
technology.
Dan Sakoda, KD6DRA, PanSat Project Manager recommends
'The ARRL Spread Spectrum Sourcebook' as a good place to start
in understanding the spread-spectrum scheme.
As noted above PANSAT will be the subject of an article in the
JULY/AUGUST AMSAT JOURNAL.
For more information, visit the official PanSat web site at:
http://www.sp.nps.navy.mil/pansat/
[ANS thanks Dan Sakoda, KD6DRA, for this information]
SUNSAT SO-35
SunSat was launched February 23, 1999 aboard a Delta II rocket
from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. SunSat stands
for Stellenbosch University Satellite and takes it name
from the South African university whose students constructed
the payload.
A second test of SunSat in FM repeater mode on July 11 over the
U.S. was quite successful with many stations active and a large
number of contacts made through the bird.
ANS congratulates the SunSat team on this achievement!
Bruce, KK5DO, captured the first 'FM' pass of SunSat in Real
Audio and has posted the file at: http://www.amsatnet.com
The SunSat package includes 1200 and 9600 baud digital
store-and-forward capability and a voice 'parrot' repeater
system that will be used primarily for educational
demonstrations.
The satellite has two VHF and two UHF transmit-receive systems.
For more information on SunSat, visit the following URL:
http://sunsat.ee.sun.ac.za
[ANS thanks Garth Milne ZR1AFH, for this information]
UoSAT-12 UO-36
Downlink 437.025 MHz
and/or 437.400 MHz
UoSAT-12 was successfully launched on April 21, 1999 from the
Russian Baikonur Cosmodrome. UO-36 carries a number of imaging
payloads, digital store-and-forward communications and mode L/S
transponders.
The satellite is not currently available for general uplink
transmissions.
UO-36 has been transmitting 9600-baud FSK telemetry framed in a
VLSI format using a downlink frequency of 437.400 MHz.
Chris, G7UPN, reports UO-36 is also transmitting on 437.025 MHz
at 38,400 (38k4)baud. Presently the BBS is still closed.
S-band high speed downlink commissioning continues at rates
between 128kb/s and 1Mb/s.
VK5HI TMSAT viewer software is available on the AMSAT web/ftp
site at the following URL:
ftp://ftp.amsat.org/amsat/software/win32/display/ccddsp97-119.zip
Further information on UO-36 is available from:
http://www.sstl.co.uk/
[ANS thanks Chris G7UPN/ZL2TPO, and the University of Surrey,
for this information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-212.07
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 3
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 212.07 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JULY 31, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-212.07
THE FOLLOWING SATELLITES ARE IN ORBIT BUT ARE
NON-OPERATIONAL AT THIS TIME:
RS-16
The 435 MHz beacon (only) is operational.
Attempts to command the mode A transponder 'on' have been
unsuccessful to date. No additional information is available at
this time.
DOVE DO-17
Downlink 145.825 MHz FM 1200 baud AFSK
2401.220 MHz
Non-operational.
DOVE stopped transmitting in March 1998. The 145.825 MHz and
2401.220 MHz downlinks are off the air and the satellite has not
responded to ground station control. No additional information
is available at this time.
WEBERSAT WO-18
Downlink 437.104 MHz SSB 1200 baud PSK AX.25
Non-operational.
WO-18 is reported to be in MBL mode after a software crash.
No additional information is available at this time.
ITAMSAT IO-26
Uplink 145.875 145.900 145.925 145.950 MHz FM 1200 baud
Downlink 435.822 MHz SSB
Unknown status. ANS has not received any recent updates
concerning the status of IO-26. No additional information
is available at this time.
TECHSAT-1B GO-32
Downlink 435.225 MHz using HDLC telemetry framed so
that a TNC in KISS mode will decode it
Unknown status. ANS has not received any recent updates
concerning the current status of GO-32.
The TechSat-1B micro-satellite was successfully launched from
the Russian Baikonur Cosmodrome on July 10, 1998.
Last reported, the satellite does not have a continuos beacon,
but does transmit a 9600-baud burst every 30 seconds
(for a continuous 3 seconds in length), on 435.225 MHz.
The TechSat team has constructed a home page about TechSat.
To view the site, point your web browser to:
http://techsat.internet-zahav.net/
No additional information is available at this time.
SEDSAT-1 SO-33
Downlink 437.910 MHz FM 9600 baud FSK
The satellite is not currently available for uplink
transmissions.
Recovery efforts have been unsuccessful.
SedSat-1, signifying Students for the Exploration and
Development of Space Satellite number one, was
successfully launched and placed in orbit on Saturday,
October 24, 1998.
For more information on SedSat-1 visit the satellite web site at
the following URL:
http://www.seds.org/sedsat
No additional information is available at this time.
KITSAT KO-23
Uplink 145.900 MHz FM 9600 baud FSK
Downlink 435.175 MHz FM
Not operational. The downlink transmitter has not been
operational for any normal communication for several months.
ANS has learned (from HL0ENJ) that satellite downlink telemetry
shows one of KO-23's battery cells to be very unstable.
[ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, and KyungHee Kim, HL0ENJ,
for KO-23 status information]
/EX
--ANS END---
ANS would like to thank Mike Seguin, N1JEZ, ANS principal
satellite investigator, for helping provide current satellite
information
for ANS.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports for next weeks
ANS TO VE3FRH@amsat.org
Robin Haighton
Acting AMSAT News Service Bulletin Editor
AMSAT-NA Executive Vice President
Amateur callsign: VE3FRH
Grid Square FN03ci
Burlington Ontario Canada
e-mail: ve3frh@amsat.org
----
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