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[jamsat-news:935] ANS 277
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS 277
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-277.01
SPECIAL EVENT STATION AT AMSAT SYMPOSIUM
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 277.01 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, OCTOBER 04, 1998
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-277.01
Russ Tillman, K5NRK, AMSAT-NA Journal editor, tells ANS the
Vicksburg Amateur Radio Club will sponsor special event station K5ZRO
during the 16th AMSAT Annual Meeting and Space Symposium.
The special event station will operate from Vicksburg, October 17th and
18th, using the following frequencies and satellites:
HF: 7.245, 14.245, 21.345 and 28.445 MHz
VHF: 146.520 MHz
Satellite: AO-10, AO-27, RS-12/13, FO-20 and FO-29
During the Symposium, participants are invited to visit the special event
station, located at the home of Ed Magruder, N5QDE.
QSL's will be handled through N5QDE.
[ANS thanks Russ Tillman, K5NRK, AMSAT-NA Journal editor and
Symposium Chairman, for this information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-277.02
W2RS ACTIVE FROM IARU REGION-2 CONFERENCE
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 277.02 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, OCTOBER 04, 1998
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-277.02
Ray Soifer, W2RS, representing AMSAT as an observer at the
International Amateur Radio Union Region-2 Conference in Porlamar,
Isla Margarita, Venezuela, successfully operated as YV7/W2RS on
several AO-27 satellite passes.
The conference ran through October 2, 1998. Porlamar is located in grid
FK80bw.
Initially, YV7/W2RS worked four stations on two AO-27 passes;
N1XAU, N1JEZ, K8TL and KB8TJX. Initial operation was a
test to see if a live demonstration during the conference would work.
During the first live conference demonstration, four stations were
worked, KD2BD, W8WRP, KD4ESV and N1XAU. Ray reported
the live contacts had a very desirable effect, showing IARU delegates
just how easy it is to work AO-27. All YV7/W2RS operation was
conducted using a 5-watt handheld dual-band radio, internal battery
and a dual-band whip antenna.
Six stations were worked on the final pass, bringing the total number of
different stations worked on all AO-27 passes from the conference to
15. W2RS even had IARU President Dick Baldwin, W1RU, acting as his
logger during one of the passes!
Operation was also scheduled for RS-12/13, but because of a high local
noise level on 10-meters and the unavailability of 2-meter CW/SSB
downlink equipment, no contacts were made.
Ray would like to thank everyone who helped make the AO-27 contacts
a success, including those operators who stood by during a pass to
allow him to contact as many stations as possible.
QSL requests for YV7/W2RS should be directed to the W2RS callbook
address.
[ANS thanks Ray Soifer, W2RS, for this information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-277.03
NEW VIDEOS AVAILABLE FROM ARRL
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 277.03 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, OCTOBER 04, 1998
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-277.03
The American Radio relay League has announced another volume of
available videos, with several of interest to satellite operators. Called
'Amateur Radio Far Away', Volume 12 includes programs that focus on
Amateur Radio in space, such as:
** Phase 3D Integration Lab.
Take a close-up view of the satellite of the future, Phase 3D, described
by the very folks who designed and assembled it. Scientists and
engineers at the Phase 3D Integration Lab near Orlando, Florida, show
all the ins and outs of testing the satellite in preparation for launch.
Produced in 1996, the video is 25 minutes in length.
** JAS-1B/Fuji-2.
Our fellow amateurs in Japan have been experimenting with Amateur
Radio satellites for a long time. Here's a look at some of the history and
background of Japan's Amateur Radio satellite program, including the
popular FO-20 and FO-29 satellites, used by many amateurs. Produced
in 1996, this video is 28 minutes in length.
** SAREX at Center Street School in California.
With the help of AMSAT, the ARRL and NASA, Gordon West, WB6NOA,
describes a successful Space Amateur Radio EXperiment (SAREX)
contact with shuttle mission STS-94 in July 1997. Produced in 1997, the
video is 47 minutes in length.
Volume 12 -- Amateur Radio Far Away (ARRL item number 6974) is
available from the League for a nominal fee. To order or for more
information, contact Margie Bourgoin, KC1DCO, in the ARRL
Educational Activities Department at the following e-mail address;
mbourgoin@arrl.org
[ANS thanks Rick Lindquist, N1RL, and the ARRL for this information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-277.04
MIR SWL CARDS AVAILABLE
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 277.04 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, OCTOBER 04, 1998
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-277.04
Dave Larsen, N6CO, MIREX president, tells ANS that starting in October
Mir shortwave listener reports will be accepted by MIREX, with
successful reports earning a Mir QSL card. N6CO reports he has "set
aside" 500 QSL cards for this event.
All worldwide SWL stations are eligible to receive a Mir SWL QSL card
following successful reception.
The requirements for earning a Mir SWL card include:
1. a self addressed stamped business size envelope
2. receiving station location
3. time and date of Mir reception
4. radio and antenna used to receive Mir
5. four International Reply Coupons
6. e-mail address and/or phone number of receiving station
N6CO reports that if all 500 cards are gone, any additional received
IRC's will be returned to the sender.
All Mir SWL QSL card requests (except Europe) should be sent to the
following address:
Dave Larsen N6CO
PO Box 1501
Pine Grove, California 95665
U.S.A.
European Mir SWL QSL card requests should be sent to the following
address:
Radio Club F5KAM - QSL Manager de R0MIR
Carrefour International de la Radio
22 Rue BANSAC 63000
CLERMONT, FERRAND
FRANCE
[ANS thanks MIREX President, Dave Larson, N6CO, and Scott Avery
WA6LIE, for this information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-277.05
ANS IN BRIEF
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 277.05 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, OCTOBER 04, 1998
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-277.05
ANS news in brief this week includes the following:
** Bill WB5SXK, and Eddie N5JGK, report Hurricane George had no real
impact on the Vicksburg area, except for some breezy conditions and a
few rain showers. Vicksburg is some 200 miles from the hardest hit
areas. All plans to have the AMSAT Conference in Vicksburg are
continuing to progress. If any further information is needed please e-mail
Eddie at N5JGK@amsat.org. There should be no impact on the
upcoming AMSAT Symposium. --AMSAT BB
** Paulo, CT1EFS, reports he is going to Bosnia for a 3-month period
and is taking both HF and VHF/UHF equipment with him. He will be
active on as many satellites as possible during his stay, and promises
more information will be available soon. --AMSAT BB
** Amateur Radio will enjoy a high degree of visibility when the ITU
Plenipotentiary Conference convenes next month in Minneapolis-even
though ham radio frequency allocations are not on the agenda. ARRL
Technical Relations Manager Paul Rinaldo, W4RI, has been appointed
to serve as a member of the US delegation to the international
gathering, October 12th to November 6th. --ARRL Letter
** Chad Phillips, KG0MW, operating special event station W0E, reports
success during the 25th anniversary of the EROS Data Center. "This
was our first attempt at a special events station. I found out what was
more important than actually talking over the radio was answering
questions from the public. We had numerous people come up and say
that they were interested in becoming a ham," said KG0MW. In addition
to HF operation, demonstrations were given showing how to track a
satellite and then communicate through it. --AMSAT BB
** Shelby Ennis, W8WN, reports the November 'Sky and Telescope'
should now be on the newsstands. It has a very good Leonids article
including an interesting history note about how the showers in 1900 and
1901 produced very different results over places not far apart on the
Earth. --WSVHF Reflector
** ANS congratulates Kevin, AC5DK, on completing 100 grid squares, all
worked on RS-12, earning VUCC-Satellite. Kevin worked NQ6B for
number 100. His next quest is to finish RS-12 WAS. --NN0DJ
** According to MIREX President N6CO (who speaks Russian) the Mir
crew is now requesting English mail on the PMS system aboard the
spacecraft. --SAREX Reflector
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-277.06
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 1
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 277.06 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, OCTOBER 04, 1998
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-277.06
MIR/SAFEX
SAFEX II 70 cm Repeater
Uplink 435.750 MHz FM w/subaudible tone 141.3 Hz
Downlink 437.950 MHz FM
Semi-operational.
SAFEX II 70 cm QSO Mode
Uplink 435.725 MHz FM w/subaudible tone 151.4 Hz
Downlink 437.925 MHz FM
Semi-operational.
PMS
Uplink/Downlink 145.985 MHz FM 1200 Baud AFSK
Operational.
The PBBS is running a Kantronics KPC-9612 + V.8.1 TNC. The
commands are similar to most PBBS and BBS systems.
N6CO reports he has recently mailed 345 Mir QSL cards.
MIREX has announced an on going APRS School Days Test. MIREX is
allowing schools to use APRS for position and status reports via R0MIR.
Non-school stations are asked to refrain from using APRS type
transmissions or beacons via R0MIR.
[ANS thanks Scott Avery, WA6LIE, and the MIREX team for Mir status
information]
RS-12
Uplink 145.910 to 145.950 MHz CW/SSB
Uplink 21.210 to 21.250 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 Downlink 29.454 MHz
Last reported in mode T.
RS-13
Uplink 21.260 MHz to 21.300 MHz CW/SSB
Uplink 145.960 MHz to 146.000 MHz CW/SSB
Downlink 29.460 MHz to 29.500 MHz CW/SSB
Downlink 145.960 to 146.000 MHz CW/SSB
Beacon 29.504 MHz
Robot Uplink 21.140 MHz Downlink 29.458 MHz
Last reported in mode K.
The RS-12 satellite has seen many recent changes in operation during
the past weeks. Modes K, T, KT and simultaneous RS-13 operation
have all been reported by a number of stations. Both Mike, WA6ARA,
and Peter, KD7MW, report the RS-12 beacon is now transmitting the
word 'test' in slow CW after the usual fast CW telemetry.
Sid, AH6HH reports a solid contact between Hawaii and Washington
recently. Kevin, WB5RUE, reports few stations on RS-12 although he
can hear his own downlink S-9 or better at times. Al, XE2YVW, reports
the same. John, K2JF, thanks Tom, WB4FWQ, for a nice contact but
also wonders where all the operators are. Cristi, YO3FFF, reports a
RS-12 CW QSO with IK5VLO.
No official word from the satellite controllers has been received.
ANS recommends monitoring each satellite carefully to determine the
transponder in operation and which mode it is operating in.
RS-12/13 command is now in the hands of Alex Papkov, in
Kaluga City, Russia.
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)
Semi-operational, mode A, using a 2-meter uplink and a
10-meter downlink.
John, K2JF, reports on a recent RS-15 pass he copied only a weak return
to his CW uplink, he did not hear the satellite beacon at any time, nor did
he hear any other signals.
Dave, WB6LLO, reports he has prepared a "quick and dirty" set of
operating instructions for RS-15 at the following URL:
http://users.aol.com/dguimont
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, currently in 'sleep' mode. AO-10 is locked
into a 70-cm uplink and a 2-meter downlink.
Mike, N1JEZ, reports AO-10 continues its slow improvement, working
HB9JOI. Signals were weak at 3X2 each way with a very slow frequency
shift and some QSB. Don, KC4YRT, tells ANS he worked 9H1IF on the
satellite. Dirk, ON1DLL, reports working HB9JOI recently with the satellite
at the 38,000km range.
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]
AO-27
Uplink 145.850 MHz FM
Downlink 436.792 MHz FM
Operational, mode J.
AO-27 TEPR States are currently:
4 = 36 = 18 Minutes
5 = 72 = 36 Minutes
This means AO-27's transmitter turns on 18 minutes after entering the
Sun and stays on for 18 minutes. AO-27's transmitter is turned off at all
other times during the orbit. N4USI reminds stations that this happens
on every orbit, approximately 14.2 times a day. The current TEPR
settings will cause the satellite to be on during the daytime at northern
latitudes.
[ANS thanks Michael Wyrick, N4USI, AO-27 Control-op for this update]
JAS-1b FO-20
Uplink 145.900 to 146.00 MHz CW/LSB
Downlink 435.80 to 435.90 MHz CW/USB
Operational. FO-20 in mode JA continuously.
[ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for the FO-20 status reports]
JAS-2 FO-29
Voice/CW Mode JA
Uplink 145.900 to 146.00 MHz CW/LSB
Downlink 435.80 to 435.90 MHz CW/USB
Operational.
Digital Mode JD
Uplink 145.850 145.870 145.910 MHz FM
Downlink 435.910 MHz FM 9600 baud BPSK
Not operational, the satellite is in JA (voice) mode.
Kazu, JJ1WTK, tells ANS that OBC bit error investigation continues and
the satellite will remain in voice mode. FO-29 has entered a period of
'full illumination' by the Sun. This illumination period will extend through
the end of December.
[ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for this report]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-277.07
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 2
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 277.07 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, OCTOBER 04, 1998
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-277.07
KITSAT KO-23
Uplink 145.900 MHz FM 9600 Baud FSK
Downlink 435.175 MHz FM
Operational. Telemetry has returned to nominal.
Jim, AA7KC, reports KO-23 is again fully operational with downlink
yields exceeding 95%. Jim reports he is "happy to have KO-23 back in
full operation."
[ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, for this report]
KITSAT KO-25
Uplink 145.980 MHz FM 9600 Baud FSK
Downlink 436.50 MHz FM
Operational. The telemetry is nominal.
[ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, for this report]
UO-22
Uplink 145.900 or 145.975 MHz FM 9600 Baud FSK
Downlink 435.120 MHz FM
Operational.
More information on the satellite is available at the following URL:
http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/EE/CSER/UOSAT/
[ANS thanks Chris Jackson, G7UPN/ZL2TPO, Operations Manager of
UO-22 for this report]
OSCAR-11
Downlink 145.825 MHz FM, 1200 Baud AFSK
Beacon 2401.500 MHz
Operational.
Users of OSCAR-11 may be interested in two new WOD software
packages have recently added to the Oscar 11 web site. The first
package enables various WOD channels to be compared with the solar
eclipse status of the satellite. The second package compares measured
and calculated magnetic fields encountered by Oscar 11. Both packages
are of an advanced nature, users will need experience using the other
WOD packages on the web site and a spread sheet program.
The URL is http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/
Beacon reception reports should be sent to g3cwv@amsat.org.
[ANS thanks Clive Wallis, G3CWV, for this information]
PACSAT AO-16
Uplink 145.90 145.92 145.94 145.86 MHz FM 1200 bps Manchester FSK
Downlink 437.0513 MHz SSB, 1200 bps RC-BPSK 1200 Baud PSK
Beacon 2401.1428 MHz
Operating normally.
The AO-16 command team has authorized an APRS experiment on
AO-16 to explore the use of the 1200-baud PACSAT for APRS
position/status reporting. Test periods will run each Tuesday from
0000 to 2359 UTC.
The telemetry is nominal, however, indications are that the voltage level
of the internal batteries are down to limit values.
Time is Fri Oct 02 21:33:05 1998 uptime is 1475/15:58:21
+X (RX) Temp -10.288 D RX Temp 2.419 D
Bat 1 V 1.278 V Bat 2 V 1.257 V
Bat 3 V 1.245 V Bat 4 V 1.260 V
Bat 5 V 1.238 V Bat 6 V 1.232 V
Bat 7 V 1.240 V Bat 8 V 1.279 V
RC PSK TX Out 0.599 W
RC PSK BP Temp -5.448 D RC PSK HPA Tmp -1.817 D
+Y Array Temp -24.811 D PSK TX HPA Tmp -4.237 D
+X (RX) Temp -10.288 D RX Temp 2.419 D
+Z Array Temp -17.550 D
Total Array C= 0.000 Bat Ch Cur=-0.445 Ifb= 0.161 I+10V= 0.305
TX:010B BCR:1E PWRC:59E BT: A WC:25 EDAC:2C
General information and telemetry WOD files can be found at:
http://www.ctv.es/USERS/ea1bcu
[ANS thanks Miguel Menendez, EA1BCU, for this report]
LUSAT LO-19
Uplink 145.84 145.86 145.88 145.90 MHz FM 1200 bps Manchester FSK
Downlink 437.125 MHz SSB 1200 bps RC-BPSK
Currently semi-operational.
Miguel Menendez, EA1BCU, reports LUSAT/Oscar-19 ground control
station LU8DYF has succeeded in regaining control of the satellite.
Downlink signals show good modulation with an ASCII message
containing the following text:
July 31 - 1998. No BBS service. On Board Computer reload in progress.
Digipeater active. Thank you - Norberto - LU8DYF.
EA1BCU reminds operators the digipeater mode is "a very interesting
option to make contacts with other stations, or to be connected with your
own station to evaluate the on-line the state of your installation."
The telemetry is as follows:
Time is Fri Oct 02 21:50:47 1998 uptime is 063/08:13:11
Bat 1 V 1.345 V Bat 2 V 1.340 V
Bat 3 V 1.357 V Bat 4 V 1.344 V
Bat 5 V 1.357 V Bat 6 V 1.352 V
Bat 7 V 1.343 V Bat 8 V 1.339 V
RC PSK TX Out 0.659 W
Total Array C= 0.008 Bat Ch Cur=-0.283 Ifb= 0.142 I+10V= 0.148
TX:017 BCR:1E PWRC:62D BT:3C WC: 0
General information and telemetry samples can find at:
http://www.ctv.es/USERS/ea1bcu/lo19.htm
[ANS thanks Miguel Menendez, EA1BCU, for this report]
ITAMSAT IO-26
Uplink 145.875 145.900 145.925 145.950 MHz FM 1200 Baud PSK
Downlink 435.822 MHz SSB
Semi-operational.
Telemetry is reported as being received on 435.822 MHz at 1200 baud
PSK. No additional information is available at this time.
TMSAT-1 TO-31
Downlink 436.923 MHz
The TMSAT-1 micro-satellite was successfully launched from the
Russian Baikonur Cosmodrome on July 10, 1998. Chris Jackson,
G7UPN, says TMSAT-1 commissioning has largely been completed and
the satellite is in very good shape. Jackson and his team are presently
concentrating on testing and calibration of TMSAT-1's multispectral
imaging system, reporting a number of very good image sets have been
downloaded from the satellite. The satellite is expected to be available
for general amateur use shortly.
[ANS thanks Chris Jackson, G7UPN/ZL2TPO, for this report]
TechSat-1B GO-32
Downlink 435.325 435.225 MHz
HDLC telemetry framed so a TNC in KISS mode will decode it
The TechSat-1B micro-satellite was successfully launched from the
Russian Baikonur Cosmodrome on July 10, 1998. The satellite is
expected to be available for general amateur use shortly.
The satellite does not have a continuos beacon, but does transmit a
9600-baud burst every 30 seconds (for about 3 seconds in length),
currently on 435.225 MHz.
The TechSat team has also constructed a home page about TechSat.
To view the site, point your web browser to:
http://techsat.internet-zahav.net/
[ANS thanks Shlomo Menuhin, 4X1AS, for this information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-277.08
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 3
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 277.08 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, OCTOBER 04, 1998
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-277.08
THE FOLLOWING SATELLITES ARE NON-OPERATIONAL AT THIS TIME:
RS-16
Attempts to command the Mode A transponder have been unsuccessful.
The 435 MHz beacon (only) is operational.
The RS-16 transponder is non-operational.
No additional information is available at this time.
DOVE DO-17
Downlink 145.825 MHz FM 1200 Baud AFSK
Beacon 2401.220 MHz
Non-operational.
The 145.825 MHz and 2401.220 MHz downlinks are off the air.
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.
--ANS END---
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to
ans-editor@amsat.org, (or to)
ANS Editor, Dan James, NN0DJ, at nn0dj@amsat.org.
/EX
Daniel (Dan) James
AMSAT News Service Bulletin Editor
Amateur callsign: NN0DJ
Grid Square EN28iv
Warroad, Minnesota U.S.A.
e-mail: nn0dj@amsat.org
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