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[jamsat-news:1155] ANS 269
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS 269
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 (or) the AMSAT web site.
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
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
This edition of ANS is dedicated to the memory of recent silent keys
Hi Kennicott, W9RBD, and Bob Cerasuolo, W6IJZ.
Kennicott, of Highland Park, Illinois was 82 and an active ham since the
mid-1930s. Cerasuolo is well known as the Editor and founder of the
West Coast VHF Newsletter.
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-269.01
STRAIGHT KEY NIGHT ON OSCAR
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 269.01 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, SEPTEMBER 26, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-269.01
Wondering just how to welcome the new millennium? Ray, W2RS, has
one suggestion - SKN!
Ray invites satellite operators to participate in the 28th annual Y2K
edition of Straight Key Night on OSCAR, sponsored by AMSAT-NA.
The event is open to all radio amateurs worldwide.
As always, there are no rules, no scoring and no need to send in a log
at the end of the event. W2RS tells ANS that SKN is simple - all
operators need to do is operate using the continuous wave (CW) mode
of transmission (with a hand key!) on any OSCAR satellite, or the moon
(OSCAR-Zero), between 00:00 and 23:59 UTC on 1-January-2000.
All participants are encouraged to nominate the operator with the best
fist among those they heard or worked.
Please send your nomination to W2RS:
via e-mail: w2rs@amsat.org
via packet radio: W2RS @ WA2SNA.NJ.USA.NA (or)
W2RS @ GB7HSN.#32.GBR.EU
Ray also tells ANS that his listed callbook address is correct.
Best Fist nominees will be featured in an AMSAT News Service bulletin
in early February and in the next available issue of the AMSAT-NA
Journal following the contest end.
[ANS thanks Ray Soifer, W2RS, for this information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-269.02
LEAGUE OPPOSES 2.4 GHz VIDEO PROPOSAL
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 269.02 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, SEPTEMBER 26, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-269.02
The ARRL has asked the FCC to deny an experimental license
application by Los Angeles County, California, to develop a public safety
video system on the 2.4 GHz band. The frequencies in question could
pose potential harm to Amateur Radio satellite communication channels,
as well as terrestrial ground transmission and reception.
In its objection, filed September 23rd with the FCC, the League called
the LA County proposal a "foot in the door" toward gaining a permanent
berth in the 2.4 GHz band. "It is obvious from the experimental proposal
that the County wishes to construct the entire system and then simply
stay there," the League said. The ARRL said the FCC should authorize
nothing more than a single 10-MHz video channel for a single
transmitter aboard a single helicopter, to allow interference studies to be
conducted.
The decision to grant the proposed experimental license is up to the
FCC Office of Engineering and Technology's Experimental Licensing
Division. In making its decision, however, the OET is expected to consult
with the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, which oversees Amateur
Radio and the other affected services on 2.4 GHz.
Stay tuned to the ARRL and ANS for more information as this story
unfolds.
[ANS thanks the ARRL for this information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-269.03
MARS ORBITER MISSING
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 269.03 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, SEPTEMBER 26, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-269.03
Mission managers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory know that the Mars
Climate Orbiter (MCO) reached the red planet, but unfortunately, it didn't
last long.
The spacecraft fired a braking rocket last Thursday morning and initial
telemetry indicated that 'all was well' as the orbiter passed behind Mars
and out of touch with Earth. However, MCO's radio beacon was not
received when it should have reappeared about 20 minutes later.
According to Project Manager Richard Cook, data obtained several
hours before arrival indicates that the spacecraft was going to pass only
30 miles from the Martian surface, much lower than the planned
approach. Initial speculation is that the craft seriously overheated as it
passed through the planet's upper atmosphere and perhaps broke apart
from aerodynamic stress.
An investigation continues to determine how the spacecraft got so far off
course as it approached Mars.
MCO was to serve as the telecommunications relay for the Mars Polar
Lander (which will arrive at the red planet on December 3rd). The
Lander Is scheduled to perform a soft touch down near the planet's
south pole. Fortunately, MPL carries a radio for direct communication
with Earth (though at a slower data rate).
The Mars Global Surveyor, which has been orbiting Mars for two years,
can also serve as a data relay.
[ANS thanks Sky and Telescope and NASA for this information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-269.04
KO-23 AND IO-26 STATUS UPDATE
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 269.04 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, SEPTEMBER 26, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-269.04
With the sad news of the loss of the Mars Climate Orbiter, ANS is
pleased to report on the recovery of two Amateur Radio satellites:
KITSAT (KO-23) and ITAMSAT (IO-26).
IO-26
-------
Nearing its 6th year in orbit, IO-26 ground controllers IK2XRO and
IW2EGC have reloaded the high level code and turned on the IO-26
435.822 MHz PSK transmitter. Analysis of returned telemetry shows a
healthy satellite with a fully charged battery (after 4 months of stand-by
MBL mode).
A Whole Orbit Data (WOD) survey is currently underway, collecting data
on array current, battery voltage and onboard temperature. Following
the WOD collection, control stations plan to activate the digipeater
function and experiment using the APRS system.
KO-23
--------
ANS has learned from KyungHee Kim, HL0ENJ, that satellite downlink
telemetry is showing two of KO-23's ten battery cells to be very unstable.
However, ground control stations have been successfully operating
KO-23 with only minimum systems. Attitude control has been lost and
power failures are still being experienced. Even with these problems,
operation of the BBS has been recently achieved.
Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, reports KO-23 returned to service on
September 21st. "The satellite was missed by many users while it was
out of service," said AA7KC, adding, "congratulations to the control team
for correcting the operational problems."
Stay tuned to ANS for further updates.
[ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, KyungHee Kim, HL0ENJ,
and ITAMSAT Project Manager Alberto E. Zagni, I2KBD, for this
information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-269.05
ANS IN BRIEF
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 269.05 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, SEPTEMBER 26, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-269.05
ANS news in brief this week includes the following:
** Keith, N4ZQ, is trying to start a group interested in satellite
communications in the Tampa Bay area. The group would be open to all
licensed amateurs that have a interest in promoting and using amateur
satellites. Contact Keith directly via e-mail at: n4zq@ij.net. -ANS
** Three current storms captured by a NASA satellite show unusual
sea temperatures in the Atlantic. The images are showing a clear
corridor in the ocean for more storms to follow. Check out the
details at the following Internet web site:
http://www.spacedaily.com/spacecast/news/quikscat-99i.html.
--SpaceDaily
** NASA and Boeing recently celebrated the opening of the new NASA
Technical Records Center. The new facility solved several space
issues for NASA and Boeing through an innovative agreement - with
Boeing gaining the space they needed to support their new Delta IV
program and NASA gaining a new records storage site. -NASA
** The Harvard Wireless Club celebrates 90 years - and dates its origin
to early 1909, when it was founded by George W. Pierce. First known as
the Radio Society of the Institute for Geographic Exploration at Harvard,
the club assumed its current name the following year. The W1AF call
sign dates back to the early 1920s. Congratulations from ANS!
** So you want to become an astronaut? Did you know that even a
small nick won't heal properly in the zero gravity of outer space? This
is a problem that has made astronauts' jobs that much tougher. Now
NASA is learning how to heal wounds with light. If successful, this
new technology will help Earth bound medical teams as well.
-SpaceDaily
** The orbiter Columbia, a veteran of 26 Space Shuttle flights, is
currently in Palmdale, California. The oldest of four orbiters in NASA's
fleet will undergo extensive inspections and modifications in Boeing's
Orbiter Assembly Facility during a nine-month orbiter maintenance
down period. -NASA
** The Western States Weak Signal Society recently elected new
officers. They are: President Chip Angle, N6CA, Vice-President Pat
Coker, N6RMJ, Secretary Anne Gaynor, KD6OWB, and treasurer
Bob Ear, KD6UIH. Congratulations to all from AMSAT-NA.
** Two successful launches recently - an Ariane 44LP rocket has
successfully launched the Telstar 7 digital TV satellite into orbit and
a Lockheed Martin launch vehicle placed an Athena 2 satellite into
orbit. The Athena 2 has a new high resolution system onboard.
-SpaceDaily
** Mazlan Othman, 9M2MAZ, of Malaysia, has been appointed United
Nations Director for Outer Space Affairs. The position is a two-year
appointment based in Vienna, Austria. Othman is the first woman from
a developing country to be appointed to the post, which oversees
UN space activities. -ARRL
** The AMSAT office will be closed until Tuesday, October 12th (Martha
is enjoying a well deserved vacation and then heading to the upcoming
AMSAT Symposium)!. -ANS
--ANS BULLETIN END---
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-269.06
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 1
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 269.06 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, SEPTEMBER 26, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-269.06
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
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, 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 an
RS-13 Robot contact, send your QSL card along with the Robot
QSL number to:
Radio Sport Federation
Box 88
Moscow
Kevin, AC5DK, tells ANS that Ron, KA2HZO, has been experimenting
with SSTV through RS-13.
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
schedules 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
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.
Kimo, 8J1RL has been active from Syowa Station, Antarctica. Operation
will continue to the end of January 2000 with some interruption in satellite
operating during October as Kimo attempts EME contacts. Schedules
with 8J1RL are welcome, arrange via JH3BJN (jh3bjn@amsat.org).
Look for Kimo's CW downlink near 145.890 MHz. QSL to:
Kimio Maekawa
67-9 Shimo-Asoujima
OONO-FUKUI 912
Japan
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.
Chuck, KM4NZ, recently reset the TEPR states on AO-27 (on
September 3, 1999).
TEPR 4 is 34 TEPR 5 is 70
[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.
FO-20 continues to function quite well. Tony, AB2CJ, has been
QRV on FO-20 SSTV.
[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.
Mike, KF4FDJ, has put together a very informative document on FO-29,
addressing analog, digital and digi-talker modes. To obtain a copy
e-mail Mike at: kf4fdj@amsat.org
Kazu, JJ1WTK, reports the FO-29 operational schedule
(announced by the JARL) is as follows:
through - Oct 4 digitalker
Oct 5 - Oct 7 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-269.07
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 2
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 269.07 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, SEPTEMBER 26, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-269.07
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]
KITSAT KO-23
Uplink 145.900 MHz FM 9600 baud FSK
Downlink 435.175 MHz FM
Semi-operational.
ANS has learned (from HL0ENJ) that satellite downlink telemetry shows
two of KO-23's battery cells to be very unstable. Ground control stations
are operating KO-23 with only minimum systems.
Attitude control has been lost and power failures have been experienced
every few months. AA7KC reports the KO-23 BBS returned to service
on September 21, 1999.
[ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, and KyungHee Kim, HL0ENJ,
for KO-23 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.sstl.co.uk/
[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.
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 amateur radio satellites.
More information on OSCAR-11 is available at the following URL:
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
Operational (with the exception of the mode-S beacon,
which is currently off).
AO-16 has operated continuously for over 1,800 days since its
last software reload.
AO-16 telemetry is as follows:
Time is Sat Sep 25 11:37:50 1999 uptime is 1833/05:55:59
+10V Bus 11.050 V +Z Array V 22.506 V
+X (RX) Temp -3.632 D RX Temp -4.237 D
Array V 21.363 V +5V Bus 4.843 V
+8.5V Bus 8.905 V RC PSK TX Out 0.442 W
RC PSK BP Temp 0.603 D RC PSK HPA Tmp 1.814 D
+Y Array Temp 4.839 D PSK TX HPA Tmp 1.209 D
+Z Array Temp 3.024 D
Total Array C= 0.431 Bat Ch Cur= 0.017 Ifb= 0.035 I+10V= 0.278
TX:010B BCR:84 PWRC:59E BT: A WC:25 EDAC:CF
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. The digipeater is active.
LO-19 telemetry is as follows:
Time is Sat Sep 25 12:14:29 1999 uptime is 420/22:39:51
+10V Bus 11.176 V +Z Array V 22.199 V
+X (RX) Temp -0.991 D RX Temp -0.991 D
Array V 21.748 V +5V Bus 4.937 V
+8.5V Bus 8.705 V RC PSK TX Out 0.659 W
RC PSK BP Temp 1.813 D RC PSK HPA Tmp 3.496 D
+Y Array Temp -0.991 D PSK TX HPA Tmp 1.813 D
+Z Array Temp -0.430 D
Total Array C= 0.147 Bat Ch Cur= 0.031 Ifb= 0.036 I+10V= 0.121
TX:017 BCR:86 PWRC:62D BT:3C WC: 0
General information and telemetry samples can be found at:
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.
For more information, visit the official PanSat web site at:
http://www.sp.nps.navy.mil/pansat/
PanSat is the featured cover article in the July/August issue of the
AMSAT-NA Journal (written by KD6DRA and N7HPR).
[ANS thanks Dan Sakoda, KD6DRA, for this information]
SUNSAT SO-35
Semi-operational. Modes of operation and uplink/downlink
frequencies have yet to be officially established.
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.
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.
SunSat has been in mode-J recently. Bruce, KK5DO, has recorded
several mode-J SO-35 passes in RealAudio, check out the following
web site to listen:
http://www.amsatnet.com.
The SunSat mode-J schedule is as follows:
October 2nd
Australia 02:19 - 02:35 UTC
Africa 10:38 - 10:54
Europe 10:58 - 11:14
USA 15:56 - 16:13
October 3rd
Australia 01:38 - 01:55 UTC
Africa 09:57 - 10:12
Europe 10:19 - 10:34
USA 15:15 - 15:33
October 9th
Africa 09:16 - 09:32 UTC
USA 16:15 - 16:30
USA 17:50 - 18:10
USA 19:34 - 19:48
The three successive passes over the U.S. correspond
with the AMSAT Symposium.
October 10th
Australia 01:56 - 02:12 UTC
Africa 10:16 - 10:34
Europe 10:38 - 10:52
USA 17:11 - 17:30
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
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 a
baud rate of 38,400 (38k4). G7UPN also tells ANS that UO-36 is
severely power limited and Chris is working on a new protocol to allow
the downlink to only be switched on over active ground stations.
"Once we get this going, UO-36 will be running the 38k4 downlink, and
will be available when spacecraft resources (primarily power) permit,"
said G7UPN. Presently the BBS is still closed.
S-band high speed downlink commissioning continues at rates
between 128kb/s and 1Mb/s. The S-band downlink frequency has
not been announced.
The VK5HI/TMSAT viewer shareware is available on the AMSAT-NA
web 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]
ITAMSAT IO-26
Uplink 145.875 145.900 145.925 145.950 MHz FM 1200 baud
Downlink 435.822 MHz SSB
Semi-operational.
IO-26 was launched on the September 26, 1993.
Ground control stations are attempting to reload the software and
activate the digipeater on IO-26. The spacecraft has been in MBL mode
for more than 4 months and an overall check has shown the satellite to
be in good condition.
[ANS thanks ITAMSAT Project Manager Alberto E. Zagni, I2KBD, for this
information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-269.08
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 3
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 269.08 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, SEPTEMBER 26, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-269.08
THE FOLLOWING ARE IN ORBIT BUT ARE
NON-OPERATIONAL AT THIS TIME:
MIR SPACE STATION
Ham radio activity aboard the Mir space station came to a close on
August 28, 1999 as the crew returned to Earth, leaving the station
unmanned. Mir is in a stable orbit with only essential systems running.
All Amateur Radio activities have ceased. Currently, the station is being
prepared for re-entry sometime in the first quarter of 2000, however, the
final fate of the space station has not been formally announced. Stay
tuned to ANS for further developments.
Current Amateur Radio equipment aboard Mir includes:
MIR SAFEX II 70-cm Repeater
Uplink 435.750 MHz FM w/subaudible tone 141.3 Hz
Downlink 437.950 MHz FM
Not 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
Not operational. No operation in 1999 has been observed.
MIR PERSONAL MESSAGE SYSTEM (PMS)
Uplink/Downlink 145.985 MHz FM 1200 baud AFSK
Not operational.
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.
TECHSAT-1B GO-32
Downlink 435.225 MHz using HDLC telemetry
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 and
recovery efforts have been unsuccessful over the past year.
Mineo, JE9PEL, reports he has again received minimal telemetry
(one frame) from the satellite recently, dated September 20th.
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.
/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 to
ans-editor@amsat.org
Daniel (Dan) James
AMSAT News Service Bulletin Editor
AMSAT-NA Vice President/Public Affairs
Amateur callsign: NN0DJ
Grid Square EN28iv
Warroad, Minnesota U.S.A.
e-mail: nn0dj@amsat.org
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