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[jamsat-news:1262] * SpaceNews 24-Apr-00 *


SB NEWS @ AMSAT $SPC0424
* SpaceNews 24-Apr-00 *

BID: $SPC0424


			       =========
			       SpaceNews
			       =========


		 	 MONDAY APRIL 24, 2000



* MIR SSTV *
============
Mir has been transmitting slow-scan television images in ROBOT 36 mode
over the past two weekends.  Signals have been heard in the morning hours
on 145.985 MHz.


* KO-25 / UO-14 QRM *
=====================
The KO-25 and UO-14 satellites are once again sharing similar footprints.
Since both satellites share nearly identical uplink frequencies, expect
uplink interference on both satellites until the two spacecraft move
further apart over time.


* OSCAR-11 NEWS *
=================
During the period 16 March to 15th April 2000, reasonable signals have
been received from OSCAR-11's 145.826 MHz FM beacon.

Users should note that the date in the hardware generated ASCII
telemetry is now advanced by THREE days, and the other dates (which
are generated by software) are advanced by ONE day.  Ground control
may be able to correct the software generated dates, but not the
hardware generated date.

The battery voltage during daylight passes has decreased slightly.
The average value observed was 13.7, with a range of 13.4 to 14.0
volts.

The internal temperatures have again decreased by about one degree
C.  They are now 2.4C and 0.8C for battery and telemetry electronics
respectively.

A single WOD survey of channels 10, 20, 30, 40 (+Y, -X, +X solar
array currents, array voltage), dated January 06 has been
transmitted.  Note the year of this WOD survey is incorrectly
displayed as 99.  This survey clearly shows the solar eclipses,
and a spin period of 340 seconds.

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.

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 P3-D.  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 okay for P3-D.  Any reports of UO-11 reception
on 2401 MHz would be most welcome, and should be directed to Clive
Wallis via e-mail at: g3cwv@amsat.org.

OSCAR-11's 435.025 MHz UHF beacon is normally OFF.  However, it can
sometimes be heard when the satellite is being commanded by ground
control, ie.  within range of Guildford, UK.  When the UHF beacon is
transmitting, the VHF beacon is normally OFF.  The data transmitted
by the UHF beacon is mainly binary data.

Listeners to OSCAR-11 may be interested in visiting a web site dedicated
the satellite.  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/

[Info via Clive Wallis, G3CWV]



* FEEDBACK/INPUT WELCOMED *
===========================
Comments and input for SpaceNews should be directed to the editor
(John, KD2BD) via any of the paths listed below:
 
WWW:        http://www.njin.net/~magliaco/
MAIL:       John A. Magliacane, KD2BD
            Department of Engineering and Technology
            Brookdale Community College
            765 Newman Springs Road
            Lincroft, New Jersey 07738
	    U.S.A.
PACKET:     KD2BD @ N2TDU.NJ.USA.NA
INTERNET:   kd2bd@amsat.org, magliaco@email.njin.net
SATELLITE:  AMSAT-OSCAR-16, KITSAT-OSCAR-25


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/EX

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