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[jamsat-news:585] ANS-187 WEEKLY BULLETINS
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SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-187.01
SAREX QUITE ACTIVE ON STS-94
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 187.01 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JULY 06, 1997
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-187.01
The space shuttle astronauts have been quite active on SAREX since the
launch of Columbia just a few short days ago. The launch of space shuttle
Columbia occurred on time, in fact, 35 minutes prior to the initially
planned July 1 launch time. Lift off (MET = 0) occurred at 18:02:00 UTC.
Seventeen schools, including one in the People's Republic of China, are
scheduled to talk with the astronauts via Amateur Radio. During the
earlier STS-83 mission, Columbia's premature return to Earth postponed all
scheduled SAREX QSOs. Most of the schools on the earlier schedule remain
on tap for this mission, which again carries the microgravity science lab.
Three hams are among the STS-94 crew members.
Under the SAREX program, students at each of the selected schools ask
questions of the astronauts during the contact. The primary goal of SAREX
is to excite students' interest in science, math, technology and the U.S.
space program. The Shuttle astronauts also perform voice and packet QSOs
with hams on the ground.
STS-94 is a long duration shuttle flight where crew members are working in
shifts around the clock. Shift team members are as follows:
RED TEAM
Commander (CDR): Jim Halsell, KC5RNI
Pilot (PLT): Susan Still
Mission Specialist (MS3): Donald Thomas, KC5FVF
Payload Specialist (PS2): Greg Linteris
BLUE TEAM
Mission Specialist (MS1): Janice Voss, KC5BTK
Mission Specialist (MS2): Michael Gernhardt
Payload Specialist (PS1): Roger Crouch
The SAREX Working Group has designated the following frequencies during the
STS-94 mission.
FM Voice Downlink: (Worldwide) 145.55 MHz FM
FM Voice Uplink: 144.91, 144.93, 144.95, 144.97, and 144.99 MHz
FM Voice Uplink: (Europe only) 144.70, 144.75, and 144.80 MHz
FM Packet Downlink: 145.55 MHz
FM Packet Uplink: 144.49 MHz
Officially, the SAREX hardware was to fly in Configuration B, which is
voice only, battery operation. However, power conservation measures have
been successful to date and mission control advised the SAREX team and the
astronauts to initiate use of the Packet Radio system. At the time this
bulletin is being released, the packet system has not been confirmed to be
active.
CALL SIGNS:
FM voice call signs: KC5RNI, KC5BTK and KC5FVF
FM packet call sign: W5RRR-1
The crew has great enthusiasm for the Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment
(SAREX) on STS-94. Case in point, MS3 Don Thomas, KC5FVF, set up the
orbiting ham shack and completed nineteen random contacts BEFORE the
"official" scheduled test pass.
"Columbia was calling CQ as they passed over the tip of Baja California.
Don said I was the first contact with Columbia. Elevation here was only
two degrees, but the signals were Q5 at 1629z" reported Dave Guimont,
WB6LLO, via the SAREX e-mail list on Wednesday, July 2.
On Friday morning, July 4, the students of Crittenden Middle School of
Mountain View, California quizzed CDR Jim Halsell, KC5RNI, via the AMSAT
Telebridge Network through Gordon Williams, VK6IU, in Western Australia.
Five questions were asked and answered. The students chanted in closing,
"Happy Independence Day, Columbia!"
Just the day before, the Mountain View youths spoke with NASA Administrator
Dan Goldin. Mr. Goldin was in town for the dedication ceremony of the new
teacher's resource center at the NASA Ames Research Center. He expressed
excitement regarding the student's upcoming SAREX contact with the shuttle
astronauts and wished the students good luck.
Edgewater High School of Orlando, Florida made a direct contact on Orbit 32
using station KF4DKF set up at the school. The students interviewed MS1
Janice Voss, KC5BTK. AMSAT Representative Will Marchant, KC6ROL, reported
from Houston, "Edgewater HS had a very nice contact with twelve questions
asked and answered."
The Lexington Traditional Magnet School (callsign AE4PD) in Lexington,
Kentucky spoke with MS2 Dr. Michael Gernhardt on Rev 35 through telebridge
ground station N6IZW in San Diego. Dave Sublette, K4TO, for the school
commented, "Most folks don't realize how much work you [NASA, AMSAT and
ARRL] put into SAREX. Thank you!"
Late acquisition of the SAREX signal has been observed by terrestrial hams
when the orbiter attitude was roughly "tail down, main engines forward" and
the SAREX antenna in Window 1 (far leftmost from the pilot/commander seat
perspective). If you don't hear Columbia shortly after your predicted rise
time then patiently continue monitoring throughout the pass. Remember too
that the crew is quite busy with the primary experiments.
QSL VIA: Send reports and QSLs to ARRL EAD, STS-94 QSL, 225 Main Street,
Newington, CT 06111-1494, USA. Include the following information in your
QSL or report: STS-94, date and time in UTC, frequency and mode (FM; voice
or packet). In addition, you must also include a SASE using a large,
business-sized envelope if you wish to receive a card.
Watch for the SAREX Working Group bulletins and sarex@amsat.org during the
mission for late breaking news regarding SAREX operations.
[ANS thanks Pat Kilroy, WD8LAQ, AMSAT Development and Operations Team; and
Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO, AMSAT V.P. for Manned Space Programs, for these
reports.]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-187.02
MIREX/ SAREX QSO
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 187.02 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JULY 06, 1997
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-187.02
The shuttle also had two successful opportunities to talk to fellow
astronaut Mike Foale, KB5UAC, on the Russian Space Station MIR. Shuttle
Commander Jim Halsell, KC5RNI, talked to Mike on MIR during both contacts.
The first ship-to-ship SAREX/MIREX contact occurred on Saturday July 5 at
12:02 UTC (MET 003/18:49.) This contact was conducted over the Indian
Ocean and lasted 30-45 seconds. The second MIR/Columbia conjunction
occurred over the Pacific Ocean at 13:36 UTC (MET 003/19:34). Will
Marchant of the AMSAT reported that this contact also lasted about 30 to 45
seconds. He stated that the shuttle crew could hear MIR for a lot longer
due to MIR's better antenna and higher power radio. Pilot Susan Still
reported observing MIR through binoculars while the ham radio contact was
underway. Mr. Marchant, who was in the Customer Support Room of Mission
Control during the two contacts, said "The shuttle crew was pretty excited
about their contact on the Air-To-Ground communications loop". The crew
shared this excitement with fellow astronaut Bill McArthur, KC5ACR, who was
CAPCOM during the contacts.
[ANS thanks Pat Kilroy, WD8LAQ, AMSAT Development and Operations Team; and
Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO, AMSAT V.P. for Manned Space Programs, for this
report.]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-187.03
AMSAT-UK COLLOQUIUM 1997
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 187.03 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JULY 06, 1997
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-187.03
ANS has received this list of presentations and addresses to be given
during the 1997 AMSAT-UK Colloquium.
Addresses by: Martin Sweeting OBE G3YJO, Professor of Satellite Engineering
UoS, Chairman of AMSAT-UK; Ian Kyle, GI8AYZ, President of RSGB; Ray Soifer,
W2RS.
Presentations:
P3D Ranging
- James Miller, G3RUH.
A new generation of UoSat Amateur Spacecraft - Chris Jackson, G7UPN (UoS).
A New Network Layer Protocol for a LEO Satellite Global Data Network
- Bao-zhong Cheng (UoS).
Optimising the LEO Satellite Communications Link Through Hybrid ARQ
Techniques
- Valerie Chu (UoS).
On-Board Image Processing & Compression for Small Remote Sensing Satellites
- Peixin Hou (UoS).
38.4 Kbps Receiver Requirements - John Paffett (UoS).
Low Cost High Resolution Radar Altimetry Mapping by Micro/Mini Satellite
- Yuanxing Zheng (UoS).
The Station Program
- Paul Willmott, VP9MU.
Microwave Measurements
- (RSGB Microwave Committee).
The Kettering Group: From Hobby to Profession/Obsession
- Geoff Perry, MBE.
In Orbit Measurement of Long Term Interference Within the "Little LEO" and
Amateur VHF Bands
- John Paffett (UoS).
Radio Astronomy, Practice & Problems
- Dr. John Ponsonby, University of Manchester (Jodrell Bank).
Latest State of P3D Integration & Launch Campaign
- Frank Sperber, DL6DBN, (AMSAT-DL).
Machinist Help Wanted !
- Fred Kennedy, ZL1BYP.
Phase-3D Construction (video); commentary by Ray Soifer W2RS
After Phase-3D, What ?
- Ray Soifer, W2RS.
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station
- R J C Broadbent (AMSAT-UK)
The Satgate Experience
- Andrew Sellers, G8TZJ.
Single Event Effects in Commercial Memory Devices Operating in the Space
Radiation Environment: A Decade of Research at Surrey
- Craig Underwood, G1WTW, (UoS ).
Spacecraft Autonomy via Probabilistic RAM (pRAM) Artificial Neural
Networks
- Mike Oldfield (UoS) [Paper read by Craig Underwood, G1WTW,. (UoS)].
Computer Security, a Briefing
- Richard Limebear, G3RWL, (AMSAT-UK).
Experts panel
AMSAT-UK Annual General Meeting
On Friday evening and Saturday there will be microwave test equipment (and
people who know how to use it) available for people to test their projects
[ANS thanks Richard W L Limebear, G3RWL, for this information.]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-187.04
AMATEUR RADIO SATELLITE IMAGING
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 187.04 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JULY 06, 1997
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-187.04
At the AMSAT-NA Symposium to be held in Toronto, Canada in October 1997
Graham Ratcliff, VK5AGR, is planning a presentation entitled 'Amateur Radio
Satellite Imaging - The Past, Present and Future'.
In this presentation Graham plans to give a brief overview of Amateur
Satellite imaging hardware that has already flown in the past, is currently
operational and those currently under construction and awaiting launch plus
a step-by-step description of what hardware and software is required to
decode and display these Amateur Satellite images, especially aimed at
those who have never attempted it before. In particular, VK5AGR, plans to
demonstrate how to use WiSP ,by Chris Jackson, G7UPN, to collect the raw
images from the 9600 baud satellites and CCD Display by Colin Hurst, VK5HI,
to display the images and some post-processing software such as PaintShop
Pro.
Ratcliff has been active collecting the 9600 baud satellite images
and has many examples from UO-22, KO-23, KO-25 and PO-28. He also has
kept copies of any images from WEBERSAT-OSCAR-18.
[ANS thanks Graham Ratcliff, VK5AGR, for this information.]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-187.05
FIFTH ANNUAL JEWELRY CONTEST
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 187.05 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JULY 06, 1997
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-187.05
Announcing The Fifth Annual Jewelry Contest to take place at the AMSAT
convention in Toronto in October of 1997. This years prize is a device that
your lady will use to assist her in fastening a bracelet on her wrist.
Leanore, KA6UCD, will have it at the convention; she will be happy to
demonstrate it at any time.
The accompanying brademo.gif shows the "third hand bracelet fastener" being
used. Thrdhand.gif is a picture of the device. An alligator clip is
the "third hand".
Your problem, should you decide to take the assignment, is to estimate the
frequency of the open stub, from which the handle is made.
It is an open, half wave stub constructed from 50 ohm .141 teflon insulated
hardline that has a velocity factor calculated at 70.8%. The inside
diameter
of the coil is .5 inches; the 3 3/4 turns is 5 3/4" overall. The formed
coil has absolutely no effect on the frequency, and the frequency is in an
amateur satellite band. The SMA connector on the end will enable you to
check the frequency when you win. NO measuring equipment other than a
ruler is permitted.
The frequency has been determined accurately to two decimal places, but
for contest purposes the "correct" answer has been carried out to six
places
to provide a tie-breaker. Please submit your answer in MHz. Leanore will
have a supply of entry slips.
ALL are eligible to enter. Take your significant other to Toronto, and get
two chances to enter the contest. THIS IS A FUN THING. In the event you
will not be attending the convention be sure to get your answers to Leanore
or Dave by the 10th of October.
The winner will be announced at the banquet, but you need not be present to
win.
Look for a depiction at toron5.zip at
http://users.aol.com/dguimont
or on the digital birds.
[ANS thanks Dave Guimont, WB6LLO, for this report.]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-187.06
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 1
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 187.06 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JULY 06, 1997
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-187.06
MIR:
Mike Foale, KB5UAC, has been active on amateur radio.. The radio has
served as a valuable link between Mike and his family and friends during
this crisis . Also activity from the MIR packet station has been reported.
Frequencies with activity have been 145.985 MHz and the 145.200/800 MHz
split.
SAFEX, MIR 70 cm Repeater
(Uplink 435.750 MHz FM, Downlink 437.950 MHz FM,
Subaudible tone 141.3 Hz)
Not operational at this time..
RS-10
(Uplink 145.865-145.905 MHz CW/SSB, Downlink 29.36-29.4 MHz CW/SSB)
RS-10 Still silent.
RS3A needs some SWL reports of RS-10.
What time you heard RS-10, and also the date.
Send info via packet to Andy, .RS3A.
Packet: RK3KPK@RA3KP.MSK.RUS.EU
RS-12
(Uplink 21.21-21.25 MHz CW/SSB, Downlink 29.41-29.45 MHz or
145.91-145.95 MHz CW/SSB)
Operational.
RS-15
(Uplink 145.858-145.898 MHz CW/SSB, Downlink 29.354-29.394 MHz CW/SSB)
Operational.
WT0N reports that downlink signals are still weak from RS-15,
but the bird is still workable.
(Hint: If SSB doesn't work for you, try CW. CW is very easy
to hear on the downlink!)
RS-16
RS-16's 435.504 MHz beacon is active. Also,
the 29.408 MHz beacon is reported as being heard.
No transponder activity yet.
RS-16 CW Telemetry.
P PSU voltage Volts.................. x0.1
O Solar panel voltage Volts........... x0.1
N Solar panel current mA
M TX 29 MHz Output Power mW............ x10
L TX 29 MHz current mA
K TX 29 MHz voltage 7V nominal
J TX 435 MHz Output Power mW........... x10
I TX 435 MHz current mA
H TX 435 MHz voltage V................. x0.1
G U of the transponder V............... x0.1
F U of stabilizer V................... x0.1
E Temperature of the charger in C deg.
D Temperature TX 29 MHz in C deg.
C Temperature TX 435 MHz in C deg.
B Temperature RX 145 MHz in C deg.
A Temperature of the stabilizer in C deg.
Parameters M, L, J, I are valid in FM mode only!
Transponder information on RS-16.
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
FO-20
(Uplink 145.9-146.0 MHz CW/LSB, Downlink 435.8-435.9
MHz CW/USB)
Operational. FO-20 in mode JA continuously
[ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for this report.]
KO-23
(Uplink 145.85, 145.9 MHz FM, Downlink 435.175 MHz FM,
9600 Baud FSK.)
KO-23 operating normally.
KO-25
(Uplink 145.980 MHz FM, Downlink 436.5 MHz FM,
9600 Baud FSK.)
KO-25 operating normally.
[ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, for his reports on
KO-25 and KO-23.]
AO-27
(Uplink 145.85 MHz FM, Downlink:
436.792 MHz FM (As of April 1, 1997)
Operating normally.
AO-27 (1-Jun-1997- 10:58 UTC Orbit-19182)
The satellite is working normally over North America.
and Europe.
Current AO-27 schedule information can be found at
www.umbra.com
[ANS thanks Michael Wyrick, N4USI, AO-27 Control-op, for this update.]
FO-29
Voice/CW Mode JA
(Uplink 145.9-146.0 MHz CW/LSB, Downlink 435.8-435.9 MHz CW/USB)
Digital Mode JD
(Uplink 145.85, 145.87, 145.910 MHz FM, Downlink 435.910 MHz FM 9600 baud
BPSK)
Operational.
The latest FO-29 Schedule.
July 4 (Fri) 09:13z Digi-talker
July 8 (Tue) 09:05z JA
July 11 (Fri) 09:51z JD1200
July 18 (Fri) 00:20z JD9600
July 25 (Fri) 09:23z JA
Aug 1 (Fri) 08:17z JD1200
Aug 8 (Fri) 00:30z JD9600
Aug 15 (Fri) 01:08z JA
Aug 22 (Fri) 08:26z JD1200
Aug 29 (Fri) 00:40z JD9600
Sept 5 (Fri) 01:18z JA
Sept 12 (Fri) 00:13z JD1200
Sept 19 (Fri) 00:51z JD9600
Sept 26 (Fri) 08:09z JA
[ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for this report.]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-187.07
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 2
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 187.07 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JULY 06, 1997
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-187.07
AO-10
(Uplink 435.030-435.18 MHz CW/LSB, Downlink 145.975-145.825 MHz
CW/USB)
Operational.
OSCAR-11
(Downlink 145.825 MHz. FM, 1200 Baud PSK. Beacon 2401.500 MHz..)
Operating normally.
The beacon on 2401.500 heard over Spain on 23rd of June and also on
24th, but with weak signals.
[ANS thanks Saludos de Antonio, EA1IW/EA4, for this report.]
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)
[ANS thanks Clive Wallis, G3CWV, for this information.]
AMSAT-OSCAR-16 (PACSAT)
(Uplink 145.9, 145.92, 145.94, 145.86 MHz FM, 1200 bps Manchester FSK
Downlink 437.0513 MHz SSB, 1200 bps RC-BPSK 1200 Baud PSK.
Beacon 2401.1428 MHz.)
Operational.
Graphic information about WOD/Telemetry values can be found at:
http://www.arrakis.es/~ea1bcu/wod.htm
[ANS thanks Miguel A. Menendez, EA1BCU, for this report.]
DO-17(DOVE)
( Downlink 145.825 MHz FM, 1200 Baud AFSK.
Beacon 2401.220 MHz.)
No report available.
WEBERSAT (WO-18)
(Downlink 437.104 MHz SSB, 1200 Baud PSK AX.25.)
No report available.
LUSAT-OSCAR-19
(Uplink 1200 bps Manchester FSK Uplinks:
145.84, 145.86, 145.88, 145.9 MHz FM, Downlink 437.125 MHz SSB,
1200 bps RC-BPSK.)
Operational.
Telemetry data received from LO-19:
uptime is 738/09:21:49. Time is Fri Jun 27 23:26:59 1997
Graphic and general information about Telemetry values can be found at:
http://www.arrakis.es/~ea1bcu/lo19.htm
[ANS thanks Miguel A. Menendez, EA1BCU, for this report.]
UO-22:
(Uplink: 145.9 or 145.975 MHz FM. Downlink 435.120 MHz FM
9600 Baud FSK.)
No report available.
IO-26 ( ITAMSAT)
(Uplink 145.875, 145.9, 145.925, 145.95 MHz FM, Downlink 435.822 MHz SSB,
1200 Baud PSK.)
No report available.
[Please send your Satellite or News reports to ANS Editor B.J. Arts, WT0N,
via e-mail, at bjarts@the-bridge.net or to wt0n@amsat.org]
/EX
BJ Arts
Amateur callsign: WT0N
ARMY MARS callsign: AAR5EL
Grid Sqaure EN-37mk
Hibbing, Minnesota. U.S.A.
e-mail bjarts@the-bridge.net or wt0n@amsat.org
Amsat News Service Bulletin Editor