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[jamsat-news:999] ANS 003


AMSAT NEWS SERVICE	
ANS 003	

ANS is a free weekly news and information service of AMSAT North
America, 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.

Currently, AMSAT-NA provides the following free mailing lists:

* AMSAT News Service (ANS)
* General satellite discussion (AMSAT-BB)
* Orbit data (KEPS)
* Manned space missions (SAREX)
* District of Columbia area (AMSAT-DC)
* New England (AMSAT-NE)

To subscribe, or for more list information, visit the following URL:

http://www.amsat.org/amsat/listserv/menu.html

Information on AMSAT-NA is available at the following URL:

http://www.amsat.org  (or)

AMSAT-NA
850 Sligo Avenue, Suite 600
Silver Spring, Maryland
                          20910-4703

(301) 608-3410

SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-003.01
KANSAS KIDS TEST NASA QSO PROJECT

HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 003.01 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JANUARY 03, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-003.01

With a big lull looming for Space Amateur Radio Experiment (SAREX)
school contacts, NASA is toying with the idea of launching a more
earthbound version of the SAREX program that puts youngsters in direct
contact with astronauts via Amateur Radio.

Last November, a group of pupils at the Pleasant Valley School in
Winfield, Kansas, gave the idea a test flight during a 20-meter QSO with
NASA astronaut Laurel Clark, KC5ZSU. Clark, a NASA mission
specialist, spoke to the kids from the W5RRR station at the Johnson
Space Center in Houston.

Helping out with the arrangements was John Nickel, WD5EEV, an early
member of the SAREX Working Group. "I set up a portable station at the
school, so we were all in a very full class room," WD5EEV explained.

The sole SAREX mission scheduled for 1999 is currently scheduled for
early April, and construction of the International Space Station is only
now under way. Amateur Radio is considered 'required crew equipment'
aboard ISS, but the first Earth-to-ISS school contacts are not scheduled
until permanent crew occupation aboard the station.

ARRL Educational Activities Department Manager Rosalie White,
WA1STO, of the SAREX Working Group said similar terrestrial but
space-related contacts could fill the impending gap in the SAREX
program. "This terrestrial QSO was a test to see how this new project
involving astronauts and schools can work," she said. "These exciting
school contacts can tide us over until we're all set for future International
Space Station contacts."

SAREX Working Group Chairman Roy Neal, K6DUE, agreed. He called
the idea "an excellent way to stay in touch with our schools while SAREX
converts into ARISS facilities over the next few years."

Matt Bordelon, KC5BTL, SAREX Principal Investigator at NASA, also
helped with the arrangements. He said the current plan is to attempt
these types of contacts on an occasional basis, spending about 30
minutes with a school via HF or using one of the current analog amateur
satellites. "It gives the astronauts practice with school contacts via
Amateur Radio, and it keeps ham radio visible," he said.

[ANS thanks the ARRL and NASA for this information]

/EX

SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-003.02
SKN-99 SUCCESS

HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 003.02 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JANUARY 03, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS 
BID: $ANS-003.02

The AMSAT 27th Annual Straight Key Night (SKN) sponsored by
AMSAT-North America for Amateur Radio satellite enthusiasts
Worldwide -- was a great success this year.

From Helena, Montana, Bill, KA7YAO, told ANS he "had a blast on the
birds during SKN-99." Bill worked K7MQ, WL7WH, WB7AEA, W7DQS,
VE5SWL and IK5NTE -- all on RS-13. On FO-20, Bill heard K5OE and
W2RS. On F0-29, KA7YAO worked Frank, K9CIS, and told ANS that
Frank had the best fist of all the stations he worked. Bill said the last
RS-13 pass was a real pleasure -- working Brent, VE5SWL -- an old
friend.

Cliff, K7RR, agreed with KA7YAO, telling ANS "SKN-99 was really good
this year, especially with AO-10." Cliff reports he even made one contact
via OSCAR Zero (EME).

SKN is entirely unofficial; there are no rules, no scoring and best of all
no need to send in a log. Ray, W2RS, would like to thank all the stations
who participated in OSCAR SKN-99.

W2RS reports some nominations for 'best fist' have already been
received. Ray tells ANS that participating SKN-99 satellite operators are
encouraged to nominate someone they worked for recognition as having
the 'best fist'. To send a nomination, please address it via e-mail to:

w2rs@amsat.org  (or)  via packet radio to:

W2RS@WA2SNA or W2RS@GB7HSN

Nominations will also be accepted via the W2RS callbook address.

Those nominated will be featured in a future W2RS bulletin to be
sent to all the Amateur Radio publications and posted via ANS to packet
radio systems and the Internet -- in early February 1999.

[ANS congratulates all stations that participated in OSCAR SKN-99, and
thanks Ray Soifer, W2RS, for his dedication to SKN each year]

/EX

SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-003.03
SATELLITE UPDATE

HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 003.03 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JANUARY 03, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-003.03

ANS has received updates on several of the current Amateur Radio
satellites in orbit.

RS-12/13
-------------
Malcolm, VE5ZG, and Brent, VE5SWL, reported to ANS on December
30th that RS-13 is now operating in mode KA, with a 10-meter downlink
and a 15-meter and 2-meter uplink. Mode A is considered an easy way
to learn about satellite operation.

The current RS-13 frequencies are:

Downlink:  	29.460 - 29.500 MHz  CW/SSB
Uplink:  	21.260 - 21.300 MHz  CW/SSB
Uplink:  	145.960 - 146.000 MHz  CW/SSB
Beacon: 	29.504 MHz

Similar reports of RS-13 mode KA operation have also been received by
G8ATE, G7HIA, K5OE, KG8OC, VK3DXL, N0ZHE and KA7YAO.

SEDSAT
------------
Alan, WA4SCA, was wondering about the status of SedSat/SO-33, and
Dennis, KD4ETA, responded.

SedSat is continuing to perform as it has since launch, transmitting
telemetry until the batteries are depleted and then going into safe mode
(for about ten hours) and then repeating the process. "The orbital
geometry is such that we have had as much as 120 hours of continuous
operation from the bird before the batteries die," according to KD4ETA.

Dennis reports recovery efforts are still underway. "We still have a couple
of chances here. It turns out that one of the two receivers on SedSat
were disabled before launch. The second receiver may or may not have
been working before launch, however, we have a method of testing the
receiver/receiver(s) on the bird. We will, in the next week or so, be
sending up the reset command. This is a hard reset that does not require
the intervention of the on-board-computer to function. Using this method
we should be able to determine if either of the receivers are working. If
they are then there are some things we can do to overcome a software
bug that has been found. If the SedSat team can do these things then we
may be able to recover the bird and place it into service."

VOXSAT
------------
Gustavo, LW2DTZ, tells ANS that Serge Samburov and Victor Kourilov
were recent guests of AMSAT-Argentina. Upon leaving, they took the
completed VoxSat satellite with them, and according to LW2DTZ, "they
hope to have VoxSat integrated into a Russian Module-M launch vehicle
for insertion into orbit sometime in 1999.

The latest VoxSat status can be found at the following URL:

http://www.amsat-lu.org

ASUSAT
------------
From Arizona State University, Assi 4X1KX / KK7KX, tells ANS the
status of ASUSat can be found at the following URL:

http://www.eas.asu.edu/~nasasg/updates/123098.htm

The web site information will confirm the ASUSat team at Arizona State
University has been hard at work since a launch opportunity was offered
aboard an Orbital Science (OSC) vehicle. The launch is currently
scheduled for September 1999.

In mid-December 4X4KX reports structural shock and vibration testing at
OSC's facilities in Phoenix were completed. According to Assi "the test
went very well with testing conducted at almost 200 percent of the
expected levels." At present the team is expecting to finish integrating
the satellite's electronics systems by the end of January.

SunSat
----------
Russ, K5NRK, reports the latest information about SunSat shows
a possible launch on January 14th aboard an Air Force Delta 2 rocket.
The Advanced Research and Global Observation Satellite (ARGOS), a
Danish satellite and the South African SunSat research satellite are due
to be inserted into orbit from Space Launch Complex-2 West -- at
Vandenberg Air Force Base. Stay tuned to ANS for further
developments.

[ANS wishes success to the SunSat, ASUSat, VoxSat and SedSat
satellite and launch teams]

/EX

SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-003.04
ANS IN BRIEF

HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 003.04 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JANUARY 03, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-003.04

ANS news in brief this week includes the following:

** Astronaut Andy Thomas has received one of Australia's highest
awards -- during Proclamation Day celebrations held in Adelaide --
receiving the South Australian of the Year award. --Tony, VK5ZAI

** Veronica, IK3ZAW, tells ANS of being at the Kennedy Space Center
with IK1SLD and IK3RIY to watch the STS-88 launch. After the liftoff the
group stopped in Orlando and IK3ZAW had the chance to follow two
orbits of AO-27. Veronica was using a HT and a telescopic vertical
antenna, working a few U.S. stations before the group flight home.
--ANS

** An estimated forty-five shuttle flights will be needed to build the
International Space Station. Ham radio will be operational from the ISS
as soon as the first crews arrive to take up permanent residence.
--Newsline

** Jeffrey, N8VNA, tells ANS about an interesting satellite story involving
seven students at Santa Clara University in northern California. The all
female team is putting the finishing touches on three tiny satellites
scheduled to be launched soon. The full story can be found at:
http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/science/DyeHard/dye981216.html.
--AMSAT-BB

** Nominations for the annual ARRL Instructor of the Year awards are
due by January 31, 1999. According to the ARRL, it's easy to nominate
an exceptional ham radio instructor, teacher, or recruiter. Award winners
receive plaques and recognition for their time and effort in service to the
amateur community. The nomination forms are available on the ARRL
web site at http://www.arrl.org/ead/award/application.html. --ARRL Letter

** Michael, W9IP, reports adding the International Space Station to
OrbitView, a free ActiveX control that shows real-time positions of Mir,
the Space Station, and the Shuttle (when in orbit). OrbitView updates its
Keplerian elements automatically. OrbitView uses the same high
resolution map as Nova for Windows. Check out the program at the
following URL -- http://www.orbitview.com. --AMSAT-BB

** Remi, LY2MW, reports a late December problem with the SOHO
spacecraft. After the long interval offline earlier in 1998, only one of 3
gyros worked properly. Now, apparently, the last gyro has failed. Other
spacecraft controlling mechanisms will be attempted over the next few
weeks, but there is a real possibility that SOHO will never again return
images and other solar data to earth. -- Meteor-Scatter Reflector

** We all waited an extra second for 1999 to begin on December 31st.
The U.S. Naval Observatory introduced a leap second to keep atomic
clocks in pace with Earth's rotation. The 22nd leap second since 1972
occurred at 23 hours 59 minutes and 59 seconds Coordinated Universal
Time on December 31st. --Sky and Telescope

** Some doorstep astronomy from ANS: Sunday afternoon (January 3rd)
the Earth reached 'perihelion' (perigee to satellite folks), its closest
position to the Sun for the year. The Earth is 3.3 percent closer now than
at 'aphelion' (apogee) in July.

/EX

SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-003.05
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 1

HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 003.05 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JANUARY 03, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-003.05

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 	
Semi-operational due to SSTV transmissions.

The PBBS is running a Kantronics KPC-9612 + V.8.1 TNC. The
commands are similar to most PBBS and BBS systems.

John, N8ZYA, reports recently working the Mir personal message system
(PMS) using a palmtop computer and a portable station. Mir 2-meter
SSTV images have been received recently by N2YAC, W5HUQ, G1IVG,
G0SFJ, KB0VBZ and M1BTR.

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.

Scott, WA6LIE, has a set of instructions on how to work the Mir space
station. Copies of the instructions are available from Scott by e-mail at
wa6lie@juno.com, or by packet at wa6lie@wa6lie.#wcca.ca.usa.noam.

[ANS thanks Scott Avery, WA6LIE, and the MIREX team for Mir status
information]

Radio Sport 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 to be semi-operational, beacon only.

Radio Sport 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 KA with a 10-meter downlink and a 15-meter
and 2-meter uplink.

The RS-12/13 satellite has seen many recent changes in operational
status. Modes K, T, KT and now mode KA operation have all been
reported by a number of stations.

Dave, VK3DXL, reports no trouble hearing his mode A downlink, using
10 watts on 2-meter CW into a vertical and a simple 10-meter ground
plane on receive. Dave reports "the CW beacon was quite strong and the
downlink was crowded with 15-meter stations who had no idea that the
satellite was overhead." Greg, N0ZHE, reports great signals on mode A.
Greg says mode A "is great way to get your feet wet if you want to get
started in satellite operations with basic antennas." Bill, KA7YAO,
reports a contact with Al, XE2YVW. "Signals were 5X5 to 5X7 and the
beacon was a full 5X7 in Montana." Bill tells ANS he has been "having a
blast on RS-13," working K5WNO, VE7STB, N1ZKB, W3FP, W7WLK
and K5OE.

No official word from the Russian 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.

Radio Sport 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)	
Operational, mode B. AO-10 is locked into a 70-cm uplink and a 2-meter
downlink.

AO-10 continues to function well with the exception of the periodic deep
QSB, which can be partially eliminated by switching antenna polarization.
Strong signals have been heard even at apogee. Also note that AO-10's
apogee has passed its most northern point. This gives the satellite track
(on a rectangular Mercator map projection) a distinctly symmetrical
pattern. The apogee has now begun a slow migration southward.

Waldis, VK1WJ, tells ANS that "AO-10 is still doing a splendid job."
VK1WJ recently worked UA0CA on CW with AO-10 at 20,000 Km.
Charlie, VR2XMT, reports he will be active on AO-10 shortly.
Scott, VE6ITV, reports a nice round table on AO-10 with NH6VB,
WA6DIR and NS1Z. Dave, WB6LLO, tells ANS that he has set up a
schedule with Hiro, JE2VVN, for SSTV on AO-10.

Mart, DL6UAA, tells ANS that he is planning AO-10 operation from 3B9
(Rodrigues) in March and April '99. If successful, Mart says this will be
the "first satellite operation from 3B9 land." Stay tuned to ANS for details.
Additional information on the operation is available at
http://www.qsl.net/dl6uaa/.

W4SM tells ANS that he has, using ranging software (and hardware)
developed by James Miller, G3RUH, recently made ranging
measurements on AO-10 and have fed these measurements into an
algorithm, which generates modified Keplerian elements from a "seed"
set of elements. The Keplerian elements generated appear to be
accurate within 16-25 km.

Note: This element set may have to be entered by hand or cut and
pasted line by line into a tracking program, rather than automatically
extracted. They are not in the complete AMSAT format, orbit#
(Epoch rev), Element set#, and Checksum are not included.

Satellite: 		AO-10
Catalog number: 	14129
Epoch time:      		99001.27000000
Element set:     		001
Inclination:         	27.020 deg
RA of node:          	50.903 deg
Eccentricity:       	0.60042
Arg of perigee:     	278.381 deg
Mean anomaly:        	67.554 deg
Mean motion:     	2.05837582 rev/day
Decay rate:        	0.0      rev/day^2
Epoch rev:            	11695
Checksum:               	206

NASA 2-line format:
1 14129U 00 0 0 99001.27000000 .00000000  00000-0 00000-0 0 0019
2 14129 027.0200 050.9030 6004200 278.3810 067.5540 02.05837582116957

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.

The TEPR (turn on/turn off time) settings of AO-27 were reset by Chuck,
KM4NZ on December 7, 1998. The new settings now reflect the Earth's
position in relation to the satellite during the northern fall/winter season.

Dirk, ON1DLL, reports working TK5GF via AO-27 on Christmas morning.

[ANS thanks Michael Wyrick, N4USI, for AO-27 information]

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.

Bill, KA7YAO, reports working K9CIS and KB2WQM with better then
5X5 signals.

[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 the FO-29 Command Team has released
the following announcement concerning FO-29 status:

The present JA mode of operation will continue to investigate the
frequency of bit errors in the on-board-computer. Reports from Amateurs
on the value of channel 2A are appreciated. The position of 2A is the
fifth item after 'HI HI' in CW telemetry. The normal value is '00'. Reports
should be sent to lab@jarl.or.jp.

The FO-29 Command Team says digital (JD) mode operation may be
available soon. Digi-talker operation is also being planned.

Bill, KA7YAO, reports working WB6FZH/KH6 on CW via FO-29.

[ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for this report]

/EX

SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-003.06
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 2

HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 003.06 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JANUARY 03, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-003.06

KITSAT  KO-23
Uplink     145.900 MHz FM 9600 Baud FSK	
Downlink 435.175 MHz FM	
Non-operational.

AA7KC reports KO-23 is non-operational at this time. Jim reports "there is
no RF carrier available from this satellite." K0MDJ, W4SM and KO6RD
all report no signals from KO-23. No additional information is available at
this time.

[ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, for KO-23 status information]

KITSAT  KO-25
Uplink     145.980 MHz FM 9600 Baud FSK	
Downlink 436.50 MHz FM	
Operational.

AA7KC reports KO-25 is operational with downlink efficiencies exceeding
90%.

[ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, for KO-25 status information]

UO-22
Uplink     145.900 or 145.975 MHz FM 9600 Baud FSK	
Downlink 435.120 MHz FM	
Semi-operational. 

Chris, G7UPN, tells ANS the OBC186 flight software on UO-22 crashed
recently after operating for well over 500 days. G7UPN switched the
satellite into telemetry downlink to ensure that all systems looked
nominal before starting the necessary reload. The software reload should
be completed at his time. 

More information on the satellite is available at the following URL:

http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/EE/CSER/UOSAT/

[Chris Jackson, G7UPN /ZL2TPO, is the Operations Manager of
UO-22]

OSCAR-11
Downlink 145.825 MHz FM, 1200 Baud AFSK	
Beacon    2401.500 MHz	
Operational.

Telemetry has been nominal.

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 source for those testing mode-S
converters, prior to the launch of P3-D. The 435.025 MHz beacon is
normally off.

More information about OSCAR 11 can be found at the following URL:

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.

Telemetry is nominal.

Time is Sat Jan 02 23:13:46 1999 uptime is 1567/17:37:37
+10V Bus        10.650 V  RC PSK TX Out    0.566 W	
Bat 1 V          1.282 V  Bat 2 V          1.295 V	
Bat 3 V          1.304 V  Bat 4 V          1.296 V	
Bat 5 V          1.293 V  Bat 6 V          1.303 V	
Bat 7 V          1.253 V  Bat 8 V          1.299 V	
Bat 1 Temp       7.260 D  Bat 2 Temp       7.865 D	
RC PSK BP Temp   0.603 D  RC PSK HPA Tmp   1.814 D	
+Y Array Temp  -17.550 D  PSK TX HPA Tmp   1.209 D	
+Z Array Temp   -6.053 D	
Total Array C= 0.000 Bat Ch Cur=-0.481 Ifb= 0.186 I+10V= 0.319
TX:010B BCR:1E PWRC:59E BT: A WC:25 EDAC:BA

General information and telemetry WOD files can be found at:
http://www.ctv.es/USERS/ea1bcu

Telemetry WOD graphics corresponding to Dec-30 can be found at:
http://www.ctv.es/USERS/ea1bcu/wod.htm

A complete collection of WOD graphics corresponding to the
year of 1998 can be found at:

http://www.ctv.es/USERS/ea1bcu/wod1998.zip

[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.

No BBS service. OBC (on board computer) reload in progress. The
Digipeater is active.

Time is Sat Jan 02 23:18:07 1999 uptime is 155/09:40:31
+10V Bus   	10.820 V  RC PSK TX Out    0.659 W	
Bat 1 Temp      	 4.618 D  Bat 2 Temp       4.618 D	
Baseplt Temp    4.057 D  RC PSK BP Temp   3.496 D	
RC PSK HPA Tmp   1.252 D  +Y Array Temp  -15.575 D	
PSK TX HPA Tmp   2.374 D  +Z Array Temp  -11.087 D	
Total Array C= 0.008 Bat Ch Cur=-0.277 Ifb= 0.116 I+10V= 0.167
TX:017 BCR:1E PWRC:62D BT:3C WC: 0

General information and telemetry samples can be found 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 	
Downlink 435.822 MHz SSB	
Semi-operational.

Telemetry is reported as being received on 435.822 MHz at 1200 baud
PSK.

ANS has not received any recent updates concerning the status
of IO-26. No additional information is available at this time.

TMSAT-1  TO-31
Uplink     145.925 MHz  9600 baud FSK 
Downlink 436.925 MHz  9600 baud FSK	

TMSAT-1 is now open for general access by Amateur Radio operators
worldwide. Normal access will allow operators to use the store and
forward communications on the spacecraft and also download the
high-resolution multispectral images.

Chris, G7UPN, tells ANS that during software loading (and other
command activities) ground control stations may close the satellite BBS
to general users. This ensures that command activity is not obstructed or
slowed by user traffic. This also allows ground control stations to
complete these activities much quicker.

[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.

ANS has not received any recent updates concerning the current status
of GO-32. No additional information is available at this time.

The satellite does not have a continuos beacon, but does transmit a
9600-baud burst every 30 seconds (for a continuous 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]

SedSat  SO-33
Downlink 437.910 MHz FM 9600 Baud FSK	
The satellite is not currently available for uplink transmissions.

SedSat-1, signifying Students for the Exploration and Development of
Space Satellite number one, was successfully launched and placed in
orbit on Saturday, October 24, 1998.

SedSat is continuing to perform as it has since launch, transmitting
telemetry until the batteries are depleted and then going into safe mode
(for about ten hours) and then repeating the process. "The orbital
geometry is such that we have had as much as 120 hours of continuous
operation from the bird before the batteries die," said Dennis, KD4ETA.
Recovery efforts continue.

For more information on SedSat-1, including Version 1.2 of the SedSat
ground station software -- visit the satellite web site at the following URL:

http://www.seds.org/sedsat

[ANS thanks Dr. Mark Maier, KF4YGR, for this information]

PanSat  PO-34
Downlink frequency not established.	
The satellite is not currently available for uplink transmissions.

PanSat, developed by the Naval Postgraduate School, was launched
from the shuttle Discovery. PanSat spread-spectrum digital transponders
will be available to amateur radio operators in the near future along with
software to utilize this technology. The PO-34 command station is
located in Monterey, California.

Dan Sakoda, KD6DRA, PANSAT Project Manager recommends
'The ARRL Spread Spectrum Sourcebook' as a good place to start in
understanding the spread-spectrum scheme.

The PANSAT Team does not expect the satellite to be available to the
Amateur Radio community for another few months.

For more information, visit the official PANSAT web site at:

http://www.sp.nps.navy.mil/pansat/

[ANS thanks Dan Sakoda, KD6DRA, for this information]

/EX

SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-003.07
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 3

HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 003.07 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JANUARY 03, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-003.07

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.

RS-18/Sputnik 41
Russian cosmonauts successfully launched RS-18/Sputnik 41 on
November 10, 1998, during a spacewalk from the Mir space station.
The satellite stopped transmitting early on December 11, 1998, meeting
the 30-day projected lifetime.

A computer .wav file of the actual received signal can also be found at:

http://www.ik1sld.org/sputnik41.htm

F6FAO suggests the following address for RS-18 QSL
requests:
                                 AMSAT-France
                                 RS-18 QSL Manager
                                 14 bis rue des Gourlis
                                 92 500 Rueil-Malmaison
                                                            France

The list of received QSL's by the French QSL manager is available at the
following link (note: the list changes daily as cards are received):

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/ascerland/sp41QSL.htm

DOVE  DO-17
Downlink 145.825 MHz FM 1200 Baud AFSK	
Beacon 2401.220 MHz	
Non-operational.

DOVE stopped transmitting in March 1998. The 145.825 MHz and
2401.220 MHz downlinks are off the air and the satellite has not
responded to ground station control. Command stations will again
attempt contact in the near future.

When the satellite is operating, QSL cards for receiving DOVE may
be obtained from:
                                  Dianne White, N0IZO
                                  45777 Rampart Road
                                  Parker, Colorado  80138-4316
                                                                           USA

Dianne has received a few cards recently for what apparently is UO-11.
Dianne handles cards for DOVE (DO-17) only.

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

/EX

Daniel  (Dan) James	
AMSAT News Service Bulletin Editor 
AMSAT-NA Vice President/Public Affairs	
Amateur callsign: NN0DJ	
Grid Square EN28iv	
Warroad, Minnesota U.S.A.	
e-mail:  nn0dj@amsat.org	


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