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[jamsat-news:1192] ANS 339
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS 339
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.
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 former ANS editor
'BJ' Arts, WT0N.
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-339.01
PAUL WILSON, W4HHK, A SILENT KEY
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 339.01 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, DECEMBER 05, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-339.01
The ARRL reported that VHF-UHF pioneer Paul Wilson, W4HHK,
of Collierville, Tennessee, died November 29th at age 75. Former
AMSAT-NA President Bill Tynan, W3XO, was saddened by the news,
telling ANS that "Paul was a very good friend and a great VHF'er."
Tom Clark, W3IWI, also praised Wilson, adding, "I was very sad to
learn of the death of my old friend and personal hero, Paul was truly a
UHF pioneer and will be missed." ARRL Vice President Joel Harrison,
W5ZN, also talked about W4HHK; ''Paul's life should inspire every
amateur to strive to always try something new in Amateur Radio,
regardless of age or health, he has definitely been an example for me.''
Wilson was a stalwart in the 144-MHz and Microwave Standings and
remained active right up until his health deteriorated earlier this year. In
early July he completed his VUCC on 10 GHz and celebrated his 75th
birthday by making his first contact on 24 GHz.
Paul Wilson got his ham ticket in 1941 at the age of 16. During the 1950s,
he got involved in meteor scatter propagation, and in 1954 W4HHK and
Tommy Thomas, W2UK, sent and received reports over a 950-mile
path - both winning an ARRL Technical Merit Award for their efforts.
Wilson then took on the challenge of EME, becoming among the first to
Make 70-cm EME contacts in July 1965. In 1970, W4HHK claimed a new
record -- the first 2304-MHz EME contact.
Equally amazing were his successful efforts to monitor the Apollo
command module on 2.2 GHz as the astronauts orbited the moon. He
received a NASA confirmation of his reports in the form of a photograph
signed by all the astronauts on the mission!
Wilson is survived by his wife of 54 years (who is W4UDQ) and his son
Steven, N4HHK. A service was held December 2nd in Collierville.
[ANS extends the sympathy of the entire AMSAT organization to the
entire Wilson family at this difficult time]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-339.02
SATELLITE LAUNCH DELAYED
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 339.02 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, DECEMBER 05, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-339.02
Technical problems at Vandenberg Air Force base has caused a launch
delay for several new satellites, including JAWSAT, OPAL, STENSAT
and ASUSAT-1. Assi Friedman, KK7KX/4X1KX, the Deputy Program
Manager of the ASUSAT program told ANS "it looks like we will not
have any new satellites in time for Christmas, adding, "we were notified
that due to technical difficulties our launch is delayed to January 22nd."
The launch was to have taken place over the weekend.
"We will keep everyone notified of any new announcements," promised
KK7KX. A web page with initial information, a telemetry configuration file
and status updates will also be completed shortly. Photo's of the rocket
are available at the following URL:
http://nasa.asu.edu/ASUSat/VAFB991202.html
[ANS thanks Assi Friedman, KK7KX/4X1KX, for this information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-339.03
NEW AMSAT-NA JOURNAL SERVICE
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 339.03 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, DECEMBER 05, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-339.03
AMSAT Journal Editor Russ Tillman, K5NRK, invites Internet users to
try out a new service soon to be featured on the AMSAT-NA web
page -- a listing of URL's used in Journal articles.
"Tired of trying to correctly enter a URL address from an article that
appeared in the AMSAT Journal?" asked K5NRK. "So was AMSAT-NA
member, Jeff Davis, N9AVG, who suggested posting URL's and e-mail
address on the AMSAT-NA web site." Once connected to the
AMSAT-NA web page, Journal readers will be able to easily go to an
article URL without having to retype the address into their favorite web
browser.
The service will start with the November/December 1999 issue,
scheduled for delivery in mid-December -- and speaking of this issue,
K5NRK gave ANS a sneak preview of just some of the upcoming Journal
articles, (including):
* A report on the 17th AMSAT Annual Meeting and Space Symposium,
by Bruce Paige, KK5DO
* Doppler Frequency Effect of Phase 3D, (Part 2) by Franz Bellen,
DJ1YQ
* The StenSat Journal and the Experience of Building a Picosatellite, by
Hank Heidt, N4AFL and Kevin Doherty
* A 435-438 MHz Patch Antenna, by Cliff Buttschardt, K7RR
AMSAT-NA membership includes a subscription to the AMSAT-NA
Journal.
[ANS thanks AMSAT-NA Journal Editor Russ Tillman, K5NRK, for this
information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-339.04
ANS IN BRIEF
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 339.04 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, DECEMBER 05, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-339.04
ANS news in brief this week includes the following:
** The Mars Polar Lander (apparently) touched down on the red planet
and ground controllers waited 24 minutes for what was predicted to be
when the first signals would be received from the Lander. However, no
signal has yet to be detected. Mission controllers are evaluating what
could have gone wrong and will continue to try and acquire a
signal. -S&T
** A European Ariane-4 rocket recently hoisted a tri-national military
reconnaissance satellite (Helios 1-B) into orbit. The launch of the
modified Ariane-4 rocket and its 2.5-ton payload took place at the
European space center at Kourou, French Guiana. -SpaceDaily
** The launch of NASA's Terra spacecraft aboard a Lockheed Martin
Atlas rocket is scheduled to occur on Thursday, December 16th from
Vandenberg Air Force Base. Terra is the NASA flagship in a new
series of satellites. -NASA
** The Naval Academy Radio Club (again this year) provided APRS
communications support for the running of the Army/Navy game ball to
Philadelphia, also uplinking to Pacsats AO-16, LO-19 and IO-26 in the
process. -Bob, WB4APR
** The ocean currents that give Europe its mild climate are changing.
Scientists (using satellite-acquired data) have found evidence that
global warming may cause a big freeze by switching off a current called
the North Atlantic Drift. Check out the details at the following URL:
http://www.spacedaily.com/spacecast/news/arctic-99c.html.
-Florida Today
** Ken Ernandes, N2WWD, has provided ANS with suggested orbit data
for the upcoming flight of STS-103. The vector data comes from NASA
and the Keplerian Elements were computed from the vector
Satellite: STS-103 Catalog number: 99103
Epoch time: 99343.29215125 Element set: 1
Inclination: 28.4726 deg RA of node: 15.5635 deg
Eccentricity: 0.0200064 Arg of perigee: 53.2815 deg
Mean anomaly: 200.7736 deg Mean motion: 15.39769321
Decay rate: 3.27926e-05 rev/day^2 Epoch rev: 1
Checksum: 282
** It looks like a planetary bonanza, if the latest information is true. The
world's most prolific team of planet hunters has found six new planets
orbiting nearby stars, bringing the total number of planets detected
outside the solar system to 28. -Florida Today
** The FCC has turned down five more Amateur Radio-related petitions,
including three filed by the ARRL. The Commission consolidated the
dismissals into a single Order, released November 29th. Among the five
was a petition filed last spring by the Central States VHF Society. That
petition, designated RM-9673, generally sought more restrictive regulation
of the modes used by amateurs in the 6-meter, 2-meter, 1.25-meter and
70-cm bands. -ARRL
** A new (unofficial) North American 144 MHz HSMS distance record was
recently set when Mike King, KM0T, and Joe Goggin, K9KNW, completed
a QSO on November 18th -- at a distance of just over 1, 436 miles.
-MS Reflector
** The FCC has contacted a West Coast power company to remind the
utility of its obligation to fix equipment problems that cause harmful
radio interference. The case involved longstanding complaints by
several northern California amateurs regarding severe power line noise
on the ham bands. -ARRL
** NASA has penciled in Saturday, December 11th as the latest launch
date for what will be the 96th shuttle flight. This mission will include four
space walks to service the Hubble Telescope. A 38-minute window opens
just after midnight EST. -Florida Today
--ANS BULLETIN END---
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-339.05
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 1
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 339.05 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, DECEMBER 05, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-339.05
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.
Kevin, AC5DK, (and others) report the RS-13 receiver problem
has ended. Signals that were appearing in the passband of the
satellite receiver causing the transponder to be unusable have
disappeared. RS-13 has returned to normal operation. Hardy, DC8TS,
Mike, N1JEZ, and Jerry, K5OE, all confirmed normal RS-13 operation.
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 for mode-A operation 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.
DX continues to be worked (and heard) on AO-10. Mike, N1JEZ, reports
Yone, 7M4DUI, has been active.
W4SM has more information about the satellite at the following URL:
http://www.cstone.net/~w4sm/AO-10.html
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
[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.
Jerry, KK5YY, is active from Hawaii (through December 11th).
AO-27 uses a method called Timed Eclipse Power Regulation (TEPR)
to regulate the on-board batteries. In simple terms, TEPR times how
long the satellite has been in an eclipse (or in the sun) and decides
what subsystems to turn on or off.
Chuck, KM4NZ, reset the TEPR states on AO-27 (on 10/11/99).
TEPR 4 is 22 TEPR 5 is 58
[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.
JAS-1b was launched in February 1990.
FO-20 continues to function quite well.
[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.
JAS-2 was successfully launched on August 17, 1996, by an H-II launch
vehicle from the Tanegashima Space Center.
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:
FO-29 command station of JARL announced that
the operation sked for FO-29 as follows;
through December 12th JA
December 13 - 19th JD 1200bps PSK mailbox
December 20 - January 11th 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-339.06
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 2
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 339.06 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, DECEMBER 05, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-339.06
KITSAT KO-23
Uplink 145.900 MHz FM 9600 baud FSK
Downlink 435.175 MHz FM
Non-operational.
ANS has learned (from HL0ENJ) that satellite downlink telemetry shows
two of KO-23's battery cells to be very unstable. Jim, AA7KC, reports
KO-23 is not operational. Stay tuned to ANS for further developments.
[ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, and KyungHee Kim, HL0ENJ,
for KO-23 status information]
KITSAT KO-25
Uplink 145.980 MHz FM 9600 baud FSK
Downlink 436.500 MHz FM
Operational.
Jim, AA7KC, reports KO-25 is operational with good data
throughput (down link efficiency), averaging in the 70% range.
[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.
Chris, G7UPN, reported to ANS that UO-22 was reloaded with
new software to make the satellite Y2K compliant.
More information on the satellite is available at the following URL:
http://www.sstl.co.uk/
[ANS thanks 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 active 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.
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.
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 1999 issue of the
AMSAT-NA Journal (written by KD6DRA and N7HPR).
[ANS thanks Dan Sakoda, KD6DRA, for this information]
SUNSAT SO-35
Semi-operational. SunSat has been in mode-B using an uplink
of 436.291 MHz (+/- doppler) and a 145.825 MHz downlink.
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.
The SunSat schedule is as follows (supplied by
Henry Chamberlain, ZS1AAZ):
11-December Australia 00:29 to 00:43 UTC
Antarctic 08:48 to 09:02
Europe 09:11 to 09:25
USA 15:46 to 16:00
Antarctic 20:06 to 20:16
12-December Antarctic 08:03 to 08:13 UTC
21:06 to 21:16
13-December Antarctic 09:04 to 09:14 UTC
20:25 to 20:35
14-December Antarctic 08:24 to 08:34 UTC
19:45 to 19:55
15-December Antarctic 09:24 to 09:34 UTC
20:45 to 20:55
16-December Antarctic 08:43 to 08:53 UTC
20:05 to 20:15
17-December Antarctic 09:43 to 09:53 UTC
21:05 to 21:15
18-December Australia 00:48 to 01:02 UTC
Antarctic 09:06 to 09:20
Europe 09:28 to 09:42
USA 16:06 to 16:20
Antarctic 20:24 to 20:34
19-December Australia 01:49 to 02:03 UTC
Antarctic 08:26 to 08:40
Eastern Europe 07:11 to 07:25
South America 13:34 to 13:48
Antarctic 19:45 to 19:55
20-December Antarctic 09:23 to 09:33 UTC
20:44 to 20:54
21-December Antarctic 08:42 to 08:52 UTC
20:04 to 20:14
22-December Antarctic 09:43 to 09:53 UTC
21:04 to 21:14
23-December Antarctic 09:02 to 09:12 UTC
20:23 to 20:33
24-December Antarctic 08:22 to 08:32 UTC
19:43 to 19:53
25-December Japan 01:16 to 01:30 UTC
Antarctic 09:26 to 09:40
Europe 08:08 to 08:22
USA/Canada 14:44 to 14:58
Antarctic 20:43 to 20:53
26-December Australia 02:07 to 02:21 UTC
Antarctic 08:46 to 09:00
South America 13:50 to 14:04
USA 15:44 to 15:58
Antarctic 20:03 to 20:13
27-December Antarctic 09:42 to 09:52 UTC
19:23 to 19:33
28-December Antarctic 09:01 to 09:11 UTC
20:22 to 20:32
29-December Antarctic 08:20 to 08:30 UTC
19:42 to 19:52
30-December Antarctic 09:20 to 09:30 UTC
20:43 to 20:53
31-December Antarctic 08:40 to 08:50 UTC
20:02 to 20:12
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.
S-band high speed downlink commissioning continues at rates
between 128kb/s and 1Mb/s. The S-band downlink frequency has
not been announced.
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 (at times) testing on 437.025 MHz at a
baud rate of 38,400 (38k4).
Presently the BBS is still closed.
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, digipeater function is 'on'.
IO-26 was launched on the September 26, 1993.
Alberto, I2KBD, reports IO-26 has been opened to APRS use. ITAMSAT
ground controllers have switched the digipeater function to 'on'.
[ANS thanks ITAMSAT Project Manager Alberto E. Zagni, I2KBD, for this
information]
TECHSAT-1B GO-32
Downlink 435.225 MHz using HDLC telemetry
Updated status. Shlomo, 4X1AS, tells ANS that efforts are underway
to bring GO-32 on line. According to Dr. Fred Ortenberg of the Asher
Space Research Institute in Haifa, "the TechSat control team is about to
finish its Amateur Radio BBS package tests. The next stage is to add
beacon messages about the satellite's housekeeping status."
Stay tuned to ANS for further information.
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/
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-339.07
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 3
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 339.07 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, DECEMBER 05, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-339.07
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.
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.
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
from the satellite, the most recent dated November 11th.
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.
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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