[jamsat-news:476] ANS-012 WEEKLY BULLETINS

["BJ Arts" <bjarts@uslink.net>]

SB SAT @ AMSAT  $ANS-012.01
AMSAT-NA OPPOSES FREQUENCIES

HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 012.01 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JANUARY 12, 1997
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-012.01

As of 1 January, 1997, MIR began using deferent set of 2 meter frequencies
than it had since 1 November 1996.  On 1 November it began using 145.8 MHz 
as both uplink and downlink for packet.  For voice, 145.2 MHz was used for 
the downlink and 145.8 MHz for the uplink.  On 1 January the frequencies 
became, 145.2 MHz for the uplink for both packet and voice and 145.8 MHz as

the downlink for both modes.  Unfortunately an ANS released a bulletin on 
29 December, which listed the old arrangement.  We are sorry if confusion 
was caused by this, but we were not informed beforehand of when the 
impending change would take place.  The correct frequencies are carried in 
the Satellite Status bulletins which follow.

Some have questioned AMSAT-NA's possible role in the change which took
place 
1 November.  AMSAT-NA President Bill Tynan W3XO informed ANS that this 
question had been taken up by the organization's Board of Directors when it

met in Tucson in mid-November.  Frank Bauer,  AMSAT-NA's Vice President for

Manned Space Programs, had informed the Board of  MIR's frequency change 
from 145.55 MHz to the 145.2/145.8 combination.. He said that this change 
had been recommended at the IARU (International Radio Union) Region 1 
meeting in Tel Aviv Israel in October.  Region 1 is made of  Europe and 
Africa.  Tynan expressed surprise that a recommendation, affecting the 
entire World reached at a meeting involving only representatives of Region
1,
would be implemented without consultation with the other Regions. The 
AMSAT- NA Board agreed with Tynan, and passed a resolution decrying the 
change, involving as it did, 145.2 MHz.  They noted that this a repeater 
frequency in Region 2 (North and South America), and hence is not 
suitable for any use involving space operation.  Various members noted 
that reports of interference had already been registered.    

[ANS thanks Bill Tynan W3XO for this information. ]

SB SAT @ AMSAT  $ANS-012.02
A0-13 FIRST AND LAST QSO's

HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 012.02 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JANUARY 12, 1997
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-012.02

Dave Guimont, WB6LLO, is compiling a list of  stations who made QSO's
during the first and last few orbits of AO-13. Interest in the project has 
come from a surprising number of sources. While accumulating data for the 
first and last days of Oscar 13, Dave  was immediately reminded of the fact
that it takes two orbits to cover the world.  The callsigns in this list
are from opening day  orbits #80, 22jul88, and #81, 23jul88. The final 
orbits represent orbits #6479, 22nov96, and #6480, 23nov96.  Graham,
VK5AGR, 
turned off the transponders on 23nov96 on orbit #6480, MA 99; orbit #6480
continued on telemetry beacon only. This data was accumulated from various 
sources.

Those with knowledge of the opening and final days of AO-13 transponder 
operation, are asked to check both lists for errors and omissions. The 
lists are arranged alpha-suffix order.  It is requested that these 
preliminary lists not be published until they can be verified. Information 
about stations outside of the USA which made contact during these times is 
particularly sought.  

At first glance, there are only five stations that appear on both lists: 
WD4FAB, WB6LLO, DB2OS, G3RUH and W6HDO (now K7RR). There are surely many 
others. Other call sign changes may have taken place. Those active on AO-13

are asked to check their logs, and encourage acquaintances to do the same.

Please respond to wb6llo@amsat.org, or via conventional mail or telephone .


Those reporting are cautioned not to use orbit numbers that were logged, 
other than from the satellite itself.. Instead, use UTC  date for all 
reference unless the orbit number was obtained from AO-13's telemetry.   
NASA orbit numbers have  been in error consistently, sometimes by as much 
as  two orbit numbers. 

Opening day orbits #80, #81
on 22, 23 July 1988, UTC

       PY4AJ, W4BE, N5BRG, W3BWU, AE1C, W0CA  
    
       JA3CF, LU8EBH, N6EIP, W0EOZ, W5EUB  
   
       WD4FAB, WB2FPE, PY2GIS, W8GQW, W6HDO, K6HHJ
     
       WB4IOA, N4IQV, WA4KDB, W9KFB, DJ5KQ, WD4LCD 
   
       WB6LLO, WA2LQQ, N6LYT, K6ML, W6MSG, K9NO 
     
       W1NU, K8OCL, G0ORX, DB2OS, N4OUL, K6OVV
     
       WB5PMR, WA1QXR, WA2RDE, G3RUH, KB4SRE, W6SYA 
    
       W4TZG, ON6UG, WA5VAH, KA8WWQ, DJ4ZC, WA5ZIB    


Last two orbits on which the transponder was on
Orbits #6479, 6480  22, 23 November 1996,  UTC


       KK7AG, WA0AUQ, W3BBO, ZL2BLC, WL7BQM
    
       W6CCY, N6DD, KG6EX,  WD4FAB, WB4FWQ, W6GGM  
   
       KD4HUR, WA4HVC, N7HXP, NIJEZ, W4IMT, W5IU, WB6LLO
    
       K5MFA, KB5MU, KD7MW, VE3NPC, N0NUL, KG5OA, WA6OJR 
   
       KE6OMN, WA7OPE, DB2OS, W8OSE, KOVPL, KD6OZH, W3PM, W8QX  
    
       N9RPQ, K7RR, G3RUH, KB1SF, N7SFI, WA4SXM, WY8T, ZL2TAL
    
       K6TSK, AA0UX, ZL2UYH, ZL2VBV, K7VCH, W8WRP, K7XK, K7YCH     

[ANS thanks Dave Guimont, WB6LLO, for providing information on 
this project.]

/EX

SB SAT @ AMSAT  $ANS-012.03 
RS-16 UPDATE

HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 012.03 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JANUARY 12, 1997
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-012.03

The following is preliminary, unofficial,  data for the new Russian 
Satellite, RS-16

PERIOD = 95 min
INCLINATION = 97.2 deg.

UPLINK =  145.915 - 145.948 MHz
DOWNLINK = 29.415 - 29.448  MHz
BEACONS  = 29.408 , 29.451  MHz
PWR 29 MHZ DOWN = 1.2 W /4 W

BEACON 1  = 435.504 MHz
BEACON 2  = 435.548 MHz
PWR 435 MHZ BEACONS - 1.6 W
--------------------------------
LAUNCH - Sometime between now and the end of February.

[ANS thanks Richard W L Limebear, G3RWL, for this 
interesting information.]

/EX

SB SAT @ AMSAT  $ANS-012.04
MIR 97 CREW

HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 012.04 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JANUARY 12, 1997
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-012.04

During the time period February 4th through 24th a second German/Russian
space mission is scheduled. German astronaut Dr. Reinhold Ewald , DL2MIR 
together with his Russian colleagues will fly to the Russian space station 
MIR. He will perform an extensive experimental program on board the space 
station. Dr. Reinhold Ewald was already member of the substitute crew for 
the MIR'92 mission during which Klaus Dieter Flade (DL1MIR) participated as
the first German astronaut attending the Russian spacestation MIR. During 
this mission Hans Schlegel (DG1KIH) who was on board of the German/USA 
Spacelab mission D-2 will act as substitute crew member. ANS is pleased to 
learn that another "German Radio Amateur" is going to space and we wish him
and the entire crew all the best, and we hope for an overall successful 
mission.

During this mission the SAFEX equipment(Space AmateurFunk EXperiment) will 
be used primarily to inform interested ham radio operators on actual space
events. Due to the heavy workload of astronaut Reinhold the QSO mode has
secondary priority. Therefor Reinhold will use the digital voice recorder
of SAFEX to transmit automatically actual information about the mission. 

The SAFEX equipment at the MIR space station is build by the German Hams
and operates in the 70 cm band and works in Packet Radio (Digi & Mailbox)
or
in Voice (QSO) mode (Repeater or Duplex).For detail information see The
AMSAT Journal" for Nov/Dec 1995.

A special QSL card will be distributed to operators with SAFEX, either for
a listening report of the digital voice recorder or a QSO via SAFEX
To prove the voice transmission or a radio connection via SAFEX the
operator
has to send his own QSL card including a computer WAV-File
on 3.5 disc of the voice recording. Both have to be mailed to DF0VR, Ham 
Radio Group at DLR Oberpfaffenhofen, Postfach.1116, D-82230 Wessling.
ANS hopes for good reception of the voice recordings of Dr. Reinhold Ewald,
DL2MIR from the MIR space station and good connections via SAFEX (RR0DL).

[ANS thanks Gustavo LW2DTZ, for this report.]

/EX

SB SAT @ AMSAT  $ANS-012.05
AMSAT QATAR ESTABLISHED

HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 012.05 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JANUARY 12, 1997
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-012.05

ANS is happy to learn of the establishment AMSAT-Qatar.
Like all other AMSAT's  around the world, AMSAT-Qatar,
will actively work and donate on all AMSAT projects. 
AMSAT-Qatar's  president is Mohamed Althani, A71EY, and
 the board members will be  announced soon.  For more 
information contact AMSAT-Qatar at:
AMSAT-Qatar
P.O.Box : 2260
Doha - Qatar
Tel: (974)-355535
Fax:(974)-427136

[ANS thanks  Mohamed Althani, A71EY, president of
AMSAT-Qatar for this bulletin.]

./EX

SB SAT @ AMSAT  $ANS-012.06
SPECIAL EVENT STATION

HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 012.06 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JANUARY 12, 1997
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-012.06

On Tuesday, January 28, 1997, Challenger Middle School ARC, San Diego, CA,
will operate a special event station, KI6YG, to commemorate the eleventh
anniversary of the Challenger space shuttle tragedy.  Operating hours will
be from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST, 1600 UTC Jan 28 to 0100 UTC Jan 29.
Frequencies will be on or near 14.250, 21.350, and 28.350. There will be a
special commemorative QSL. Send QSL and SASE to Challenger Middle School,
Attention:  Frank Forrester, 10810 Parkdale Avenue, San Diego, CA 92126.
We are hoping for good propagation and many contacts from both U.S. and DX
stations. Please do the students a favor and try to make a contact.

[ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, for this event information.]

/EX

SB SAT @ AMSAT  $ANS-012.07
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 1

HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 012.07 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JANUARY 12, 1997
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-012.07

FO-29 
(Uplink 145.9-146.0MHz CW/LSB, Downlink 435.8-435.9MHz CW/USB) 
The JAS-2(FO-29) Command Station had announced that
the operation of the bird had switched to analog mode
on 10:50Z Jan-10th. It'll be on until Jan-13th 09:45Z.
After that, a software test for digital mode will be
carried out on the bird.

 [ANS thanks, Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK  for this update.]

MIR: 
(New frequencies implemented 1 January 1997:
Uplink 145.2 MHz FM
Downlink  145.8MHz FM) 
Note, the above split is used for both packet and voice operation.
See ANS-012.01 for more information.
Those tracking the MIR should be sure their Keplerian elements
are  post 97008 due to a maneuver  MIR made on that date.
 This Keplerian data came from Dr. TS Kelso's Celestial Web BBS on the
Grove server ( http://www.grove.net/~tkelso/) .
Mir                     
1 16609U 86017A   97009.12698316  .00022866  00000-0  28015-3 0  9471
2 16609  51.6519 165.6956 0007543 244.5338 115.4824 15.60228904622199
[ANS thanks Tom Smith, KC5MXA,  for this update.]

SAFEX, 
(Uplink 435.750MHz FM, Downlink 437.950MHz FM, 
Subaudible tone 141.3 Hz)
The repeater appears to be down at this time. See above bulletin for
further
information. 

RS-12: 
(Uplink 21.21-21.25MHz CW/SSB, Downlink 29.41-29.45MHz or
145.91-145.95Mhz CW/SSB) 
The sat is giving extremely good downlink signals on 2 meters. In
this period of poor propagation on 15 m, the T-mode is providing  very
easy access to the satellite. Interesting DX activity has been spotted 
in Europe with stations in Egypt, Crete, Cameroon, etc.
[ANS thanks Stefano Badessi, PA3FWP, for this report.]

RS-10: 
(Uplink 145.865-145.905MHz CW/SSB, Downlink 29.36-29.4MHz CW/SSB) 
Operating normally. Very busy with lots of QSOs heard over
north America and Europe.

RS-15
(Uplink 145.858-145.898MHz CW/SSB, Downlink 29.354-29.394MHz CW/SSB) 
Be aware that RS-15 has battery charging problems. When the satellite is
in the dark  it's dead.

[ANS thanks  Bob Johnson,  W7LRD, for this report.]
(Hint: If SSB doesn't work for you, try CW. CW is very easy
to hear on the downlink!)

KO-23 
(Uplink 145.85, 145.9MHz FM, Downlink 435.175MHz FM,
9600 Baud FSK.) 
KO-23 download efficiency is some what erratic and the download frequency
is about 4 KHz low. The operation of this satellite is still useful.
.
.KO-25:
(Uplink 145.87MHz FM, Downlink 436.5MHz FM,
9600 Baud FSK.)
KO-25 returned to full service on 1/7/97. Operating Normally..

[ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger,  AA7KC, for his reports on
KO-25 and KO-23.]
 
AO-27:
(Uplink 145.85MHz FM, Downlink 436.8MHz FM) 
Jan-06-97 11:26 UTC) It is working normally in its orbits on Europe.
It being listened to by stations in Germany, France, Spain, Canary Islands 
(EA8), etc.

[ANS thanks Miguel A. Menendez, EA1BCU, for this report.]

As of NOV 2, the AO-27 schedule is as follows:
  TEPR 4 = 16 = 8 Minutes in Length
  TEPR 5 = 52 = 18 Minutes in Length

  TX-3 is on Mid Power during TEPR 5.

This will have the TX turn on 8 Minutes after the satellite
enters the sun for a duration of 18 Minutes. This is a "back to US
Latitudes"operation.

N4USI, AO-27's current Command Station sends his thanks all for
their messages about the satellite turning on later than expected. He
reports he's deliberately letting the "turn on" time drift later
(for about 4-5 Minutes) so stations in the southern latitudes can also
have a chance to work AO-27.  Every few months he will be letting the
turn on time drift like this to give more stations a chance to make
contacts thru the satellite.

[ANS thanks  Michael, N4USI , AO-27 Control-op, for this
update.]

AO-10:
(Uplink 435.030-435.18MHz CW/LSB, Downlink 145.975-145.825MHz CW/USB) 
Operating normally. Stacey E. (Chuck)  Mills, W4SM, reports that
Ken Ernandes is attempting to obtain updated Keps, however the satellite is

apparently in an inopportune orbit to accomplish this.  It has been 
suggested that amateurs may be able to do better, at least for the next few
months by various ranging experiments of their own.. There have been 
various discussion on AMSAT-BB on this.  However, in the meantime, AO-10's 
orbit doesn't change  very fast.   Parameters are now off by a bit, 
especially at perigee. W4SM calculated the blon/blat, -125/5, about one 
year ago and is waiting to see if predictions for this year hold up. 

Below is a 14-day update on the AO-10 Keps from the NASA OIG RAID RBBS.  
AO-10
1 14129U 83058B   96299.11613815 -.00000305  00000-0  10000-3 0  4631
2 14129  25.8792 182.5891 6052907  60.2572 346.3435  2.05882271 72548
[ANS thanks Ken  Ernandes, N2WWD, for these keps.]
.A lot of activity was noted this weekend when the sat was over
America. The bird was still workable up to phase 60. Still a bit of 
FM-ing when operating in CW

[ANS thanks Stefano Badessi, PA3FWP, for this report.]

/EX

SB SAT @ AMSAT  $ANS-012.08
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 2

HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 012.08 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JANUARY 12, 1997
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-012.08

AMSAT-OSCAR-16 (PACSAT) 
(Uplink 145.9, 145.92, 145.94, 145.86MHz FM, Downlink 437.0513MHz SSB,
1200 Baud PSK.)
It is working normally in its orbits on Europe.

Example of a lit orbit. (Jan-05-97 12:36:03 UTC)
The batteries load (About Tot.Bat/V = 10.865 Volts)
The RC/PSK TX-OUT= 0.633 - 0.704 Wtts.

Example of a nocturnal orbit. (Jan-05-97 23:57:05 UTC)
The batteries load  (About Tot.Bat/V = 10.433 Volts)
The Transponder RC/PSK TX-OUT= 0.760 Watts.. 

[ANS thanks Miguel A. Menendez, EA1BCU, for this report.]

FO-20 
(Uplink 145.9-146.0MHz CW/LSB, Downlink 435.8-435.9MHz CW/USB) 
Strong downlink signal and very busy with activity.

OSCAR-11
Good, steady signals have been received from OSCAR-11 
on 145.825MHz. FM, 1200 Baud PSK
[ANS thanks  Clive Wallis, G3CWV, for this information.]

IO-26 ( ITAMSAT):
(Uplink 145.875, 145.9, 145.925, 145.95MHz FM, Downlink 435.822MHz SSB,
1200 Baud PSK.)
Operating normally. TLM values are carried on AMSAT-BB.

[ANS thanks Daniele  Piercarlo, IK2XRO, ITMSAT Command Station for this
report.]

DO-17(DOVE)
( Downlink 145.825MHz FM, 1200 Baud AFSK.)
Jim White reports that DOVE had timed out on December second.
DOVE's  software was then uploaded again to correct the
time out problem. Signals from Dove are once again being
received.

[ANS thanks Jim White, WD0E, and Sergio Adrian Gorgone,      
 LW7DXF, for this information.]

LUSAT-OSCAR-19 
(Uplink 145.84, 145.86, 145.88, 145.9MHz FM, Downlink 437.1528MHz SSB,
1200 Baud PSK AX.25.)
It is working excellently in its orbits on Europe.

Example of a lit orbit. (Jan-05-97 12:00:44 UTC)
The batteries in good state (Tot. Bat/V = 11.08 Volts) 
The RC/PSK TX-OUT=  1.004 - 1.079 Wtts.
. 
 [ANS thanks Miguel A. Menendez, EA1BCU, for this report.]
.
WEBERSAT (WO-18) 
(Downlink 437.104MHz SSB, 1200 Baud PSK AX.25.)
WeberSat (WO-18) is operational transmitting telemetry, and Week 4 WOD
CH#: 2F 30 35 36 3B 40.  The new attic code has been loaded and a test
picture taken.  There will be more to follow in the coming weeks as
testing of the software continues.

[ANS thanks Tommy Davis, IK3WVJ,  for this report.]

[Please send your Satellite reports to bjarts@uslink.net or to
wt0n@amsat.org]

/EX

**Please notify listserv@amsat.org if you would like to subscribe,
un-subscribe or change your Internet address for any of the AMSAT
lists. You may request to be added or deleted from the following
lists: AMSAT-BB, ANS, SAREX, or KEPS. Please *do not* send such
requests to the lists themselves.** 

BJ Arts  
WT0N in EN-37,  ARMY MARS AAR5EL
Hibbing, Minnesota. U.S.A.
e-mail bjarts@uslink.net or wt0n@amsat.org
Amsat News Service Bulletin Editor