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[jamsat-news:940] ANS 284
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS 284
ANS is a weekly news and information service of AMSAT, 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.
The AMSAT-NA ANS editor is Dan James, NN0DJ.
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-284.01
INTERNATIONAL AMATEUR SATELLITE SYMPOSIUM
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 284.01 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, OCTOBER 11, 1998
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-284.01
Very soon, in Vicksburg, Mississippi, Amateur Radio operators from
around the world will be converging during the weekend of October 16
through the 18th, attending the 16th AMSAT Annual Meeting and Space
Symposium. A variety of technical papers will be presented on AMSAT's
efforts to construct and operate Amateur Radio satellites including:
** Will Marchant, KC6ROL, who will provide a update on building the
Amateur Radio system for the International Space Station
** Ron Ross, KE6JAB, will report on his experiences in operating
Amateur Radio satellites from Antarctica
** Lou McFadin, W5DID, will provide a progress report on the
AMSAT Phase 3D International Satellite
** Bob Twiggs, KM6QDM, will describe construction activities on
SAPPHIRE, Stanford University's First Amateur Satellite
** Robert Zee will present AMSAT's role in the MOST Microsatellite
Mission, Canada's First Space Telescope
Over 250 persons from 17 countries attended last year's AMSAT
meeting held in Toronto, Canada.
AMSAT is a worldwide group of Amateur Radio Operators who share an
active interest in building, launching and then communicating through
these non-commercial Amateur Radio satellites. Bill Tynan, W3XO,
AMSAT-NA President, says "that by any measure, AMSAT's track record
has been impressive. Since its initial founding, over 25 years ago,
AMSAT has used predominantly volunteer labor and donated resources
to design, construct and, with the added assistance of Government and
Commercial space agencies, successfully launch, over thirty Amateur
Radio communications satellites into Earth orbit."
In addition to its unmanned satellite efforts, AMSAT has also been active
in human space and educational activities. Working together with the
American Radio Relay League and the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, AMSAT volunteers have helped develop new space
qualified hardware and have donated their technical communications
'know-how' to a number of flights involving Amateur Radio operation
aboard the Space Shuttle.
In recent years, Amateur Radio operations aboard the Shuttle, (called
SAREX -- short for Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment), have been used
to bring school children in a number of countries into direct radio contact
with Shuttle astronauts in Earth orbit.
[ANS thanks Russ Tillman, K5NRK, Symposium Chair, for this
information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-284.02
PASSING THE TORCH
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 284.02 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, OCTOBER 11, 1998
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-284.02
In November 1991, the AMSAT-NA Board of Directors asked Bill Tynan,
W3XO, to assume the office of Presidency of the organization. Bill
accepted the nomination and has been serving in that capacity ever
since. Recently, Bill Tynan, W3XO, announced his intention to retire as
President and step aside from his AMSAT-NA presidential duties.
W3XO told ANS that he intends to formally make his retirement
announcement at the upcoming AMSAT Annual Meeting, to be held in
Vicksburg, Mississippi during the 16th AMSAT Annual Meeting and
Space Symposium. Bill also indicated that he would recommend to the
AMSAT-NA Board that Keith Baker, KB1SF, is named as his successor.
It is the Board's responsibility to name the President, Executive Vice
President, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President of Engineering and Vice
President of Operations. Other officers are then selected by the
President at his or her discretion.
W3XO noted that Keith Baker, KB1SF, has been servicing as Executive
Vice President for a number of years and is well acquainted with the
challenges facing the organization. "Keith has been my right hand, in
both Phase 3D and other AMSAT matters and is well qualified to serve
as President", Tynan said.
W3XO also expressed gratitude for all of those who have helped him
over the past seven years. "Without the work of many fine people, I
would not have been able to carry out my duties as President of this fine
organization", he said.
"When I became President, I hoped that I would see Phase 3D safely in
orbit before I left office. I have maintained that hope and worked
toward that goal since that time. But, as we all know, AMSAT suffered a
setback with regard to a launch opportunity for the P3D spacecraft. The
satellite is essentially complete and is to begin thermal vacuum testing
in a few weeks. It will be ready for a launch whenever that can come to
pass. Thus, even though Phase 3D is not yet in orbit, I feel that now is a
good time for me to step aside as the President of AMSAT-NA," said
Tynan.
W3XO added "that although there have been times when it has had its
frustrations, I have very much enjoyed serving as President of The
Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. It has, in fact, been one of the high
points of my life -- one that I know I will look back on with pride in the
years to come."
Bill also noted that his decision to step aside does not signify an end to
his evolvement with AMSAT. "My term on the Board of Directors runs for
another year and I will continue to serve AMSAT as an active Board
member. I will also continue to help the organization in whatever way I
can, and of course, maintain my active interest in amateur space
activities in general", Tynan concluded.
[ANS thanks and congratulates AMSAT-NA President Bill Tynan, W3XO,
for his hard work and dedication to the high ideals of the AMSAT
organizations worldwide]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-284.03
ANS IN BRIEF
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 284.03 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, OCTOBER 11, 1998
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-284.03
ANS news in brief this week includes the following:
** Russ, K5NRK, reminds those attending the AMSAT Annual Meeting
and Space Symposium that accommodations at the Battlefield Inn are
completely sold out, however, the Battlefield will provide shuttle service
from the nearby Hampton Inn and Super 8 Motel. Check the main desk
at the Battlefield Inn for details. For those driving into Vicksburg, the
talk-in repeater frequency is 147.270 MHz w/100 Hz tone. Those who
are flying into the Jackson International Airport may check-in using the
146.940 MHz repeater w/100 HZ tone. This repeater will be linked to the
146.805 repeater located in Vicksburg. Lloyd, K5IMT, will be net control
for all VHF operations. There will be an AO-27 media demonstration in
the Battlefield Inn parking lot on October 16th -- look for N5JGK, KI0AG
and N7SFI who will be using HT's and handheld antennas to work the
available AO-27 passes. Also remember to check out the Symposium
special events station, N5QDE invites all participants to be guest
operators during the event. --Russ, K5NRK
** U.S. Senator and astronaut John Glenn completed a final, full-scale
run-through of his upcoming re-entry into space, practicing with six other
Space Shuttle Discovery astronauts at the Kennedy Space Center in
Florida. He says he feels just as he did before his first flight in 1962 --
"I was scared to death I was going to catch a cold or something and I
feel the same way now." Glenn, 77, will become the oldest human ever
to fly in space. The nine-day Discovery mission is set to begin October
29th. --Morrock News Service
** AMSAT Area Coordinator Ron Smith, N5SMJ, reports that at the
recent Kansas ARRL Convention; Ron, along with Greg, N0ZHE,
gave a brief forum on amateur satellites. Helping was W0OQC,
KA0OXY, N0KTA, W0UT and N0TGR. Afterward they went outside to
the parking lot to work AO-27 portable, initially working Mike, N1JEZ.
Ron reports everyone had a great time with numerous contacts being
made. --N5SMJ
** Ken, N1QQV, tells ANS the October/November issue of Air & Space
Smithsonian contains some news on an upcoming article about Mir
and Amateur Radio. Details of the soon-to-be released article can be
found on page 95 of the current issue. N1QQV says "it looks like it will
be some good press for Amateur Radio and an interesting article as
well." --AMSAT BB
** Peter, DB2OS, reports the official AMSAT-DL Internet web site is now
on a new server; it can be reached at http://www.amsat-dl.org. On the
new site is the official P3D frequency plan, with additional updates and
more information on the site currently planned for the next several
weeks. --AMSAT BB
** Bob, WB4APR, reminds everyone Mir is coming over the USA each
day during the late afternoon. This month is the ideal time to plan on
doing an APRS school demonstration via MIR. Several schools are
currently on the air during the passes including the U.S. Naval Academy
APRS transmitter. --WB4APR
** KK7KX reports he found an Internet web site that has real time
positions of visible satellites and a very nice graphic locator. Check
it out at http://www2.gsoc.dlr.de/satvis/. --Assi Friedman, 4X1KX/KK7KX
** Bill, WB5SXK, tells ANS that for those attending the AMSAT
Symposium, he can arrange a demonstration of Vicksburg's new
public-service digital communications system, an APCO-25 compatible
digital voice communications system. If interested, contact Bill by
e-mail at billf@vickpfe.ci.vicksburg.ms.us. --AMSAT BB
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-284.04
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 1
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 284.04 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, OCTOBER 11, 1998
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-284.04
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.
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.
Bob, WB4APR, asks operators to please NOT establish station-to-
station connections via Mir -- as it is very inefficient. Bob suggests
sending UI packet frames instead, saying that it is much better for
everyone, AND many stations can then complete a normal QSO
during a Mir pass.
[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.
Noni, YO2DNO, in Timisoara, Romania is active daily on RS-12/13 from
the rare grid square of KN05os. He would be glad to set up a schedule;
contact Noni at yo2dno@yo2kjo.ampr.org.
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.
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.
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 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 is 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.
John, K2JF, reports (on a recent pass of FO-29) he called CQ during the
entire pass with good downlink signals, yet he cruised the whole band
with no other signals to be heard.
[ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for this report]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-284.05
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 2
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 284.05 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, OCTOBER 11, 1998
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-284.05
KITSAT KO-23
Uplink 145.900 MHz FM 9600 Baud FSK
Downlink 435.175 MHz FM
Operational. The telemetry is nominal.
[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.
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 along with 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 09 21:26:14 1998 uptime is 1482/15:51:30
+10V Bus 10.075 V RC PSK TX Out 0.616 W
+X (RX) Temp -9.683 D RX Temp 5.444 D
RC PSK BP Temp -3.027 D RC PSK HPA Tmp -1.817 D
+Y Array Temp -24.811 D PSK TX HPA Tmp -1.817 D
+Z Array Temp -15.129 D Baseplt Temp 3.024 D
Total Array C= 0.000 Bat Ch Cur=-0.453 Ifb= 0.190 I+10V= 0.284
TX:0109 BCR:1E PWRC:59E BT: A WC:25 EDAC:64
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 09 21:41:27 1998 uptime is 070/08:03:51
Total Array C= 0.008 Bat Ch Cur=-0.283 Ifb= 0.119 I+10V= 0.171
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. 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-284.06
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 3
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 284.06 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, OCTOBER 11, 1998
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-284.06
THE FOLLOWING SATELLITES ARE NON-OPERATIONAL AT THIS TIME:
RS-16
Attempts to command the mode A transponder 'on' have been
unsuccessful to date. At this time the RS-16 transponder is
non-operational. The 435 MHz beacon (only) is 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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