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[jamsat-news:1554] ANS 210
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS 210
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.
ANS is first released via the AMSAT-NA 20-meter net held each Sunday
on 14.282 MHz. Pre-net operations start at 18:00 UTC, with current ANS
bulletins transmitted to the eastern U.S. at 19:00 UTC and to the western
U.S. at 19:30 UTC. ANS is also released worldwide via the AMSAT ANS
e-mail reflector.
AMSAT-NA is pleased to announce that recent (and future)
developments in Amateur Radio satellite technology will be discussed in
Atlanta, Georgia at the 19th Space Symposium and AMSAT-NA Annual
Meeting, October 5-6, 2001. The Symposium Chairman is Steve Diggs,
W4EPI. Contact W4EPI at: w4epi@amsat.org
Information on AMSAT-NA is available at the following URL:
http://www.amsat.org <http://www.amsat.org/> (or from)
AMSAT-NA
850 Sligo Avenue, Suite 600
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910-4703
Voice: 301-589-6062
FAX: 301-608-3410
Currently, AMSAT-NA supports 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 area (AMSAT-NE)
* AMSAT Educational Liaison mailing list (AMSAT-EDU)
* AMSAT K-12 Educational Liaison mailing list (AMSAT-K12)
A daily digest version is available for each list.
To subscribe, or for more list information, visit the following URL:
http://www.amsat.org/amsat/listserv/menu.html
In addition to regular membership, AMSAT-NA offers membership in the
President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors
To AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits.
Initially, there will two levels for donations - Gold and Silver.
Application forms are available from the AMSAT-NA Office. For further
Information and details contact:
Daniel James, NN0DJ
AMSAT Vice President-Public Affairs
P.O. Box 297
Warroad, MN 56763-0297
NN0DJ can be reached at: (218) 386-1544 (or) via e-mail at:
nn0dj@amsat.org
This edition of ANS is dedicated to the memory of master guitar picker,
music legend and Amateur Radio operator Chester B. ''Chet'' Atkins,
W4CGP, of Nashville, Tennessee who died recently at age 77. Known
as ''Mister Guitar,'' Atkins hailed from Tennessee and began his musical
career playing fiddle, but later earned his reputation as a guitarist. He
went on to become the most-recorded solo instrumental musician in
history. Formerly WA4CZD, Atkins, obtained the vanity call sign W4CGP
in 1998 (the suffix standing for ''certified guitar picker''). [ANS thanks the
ARRL for this information]
ANS is always dedicated to the memory of past ANS editor 'BJ'
Arts, WT0N, and to the memory of long-time AMSAT supporter
Werner Haas, DJ5KQ.
ANS salutes Arthur Godfrey, K4LIB - entertainer, TV host and well
known ham radio operator. K4LIB is among the inaugural group of 50
inductees into the CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame. The Hall was
established to recognize those individuals, whether licensed radio
amateurs or not, who significantly affected the course of Amateur Radio;
and radio amateurs, who, in the course of their professional lives, had a
significant impact on their professions or on world affairs. AMSAT and
OSCAR supporters/notables on the CQ Hall of Fame list include K1JT,
K1ZZ, W6SAI, W2SKE, W8JK, K7UGA, W6ZH, JY1, W3ASK, W1HR,
KA9Q and W3IWI. [ANS thanks CQ Amateur Radio magazine, published
by CQ Communications, Inc. for this information]
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-210.01
AO-40 UPDATE
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 210.01 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JULY 29, 2001
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-210.01
AO-40 command station Stacey Mills, W4SM, reported to ANS that
AO-40's ALON/ALAT numbers have changed. With the latest YACE
camera images analyzed, data is showing that AO-40 has drifted
"backwards somewhat" to 309.8 / 7.4 (+/- 0.2) degrees.
Stacey reports the current data indicates that the mystery effect
that the satellite is experiencing "is still very much active." Initial analysis
by G3RUH shows that the effect is only slightly reduced when compared
to measurements before the Arcjet outgassing, even though the perigee
height was increased from about 220 km to about 900 km.
W4SM reports more measurements will allow the AO-40 command team
to further refine the magnitude of the mystery effect. Current data would
appear to eliminate atmospheric drag as the source of the effect and also
seem to make magnetic effects unlikely as well. Yet, the effect clearly
exerts the bulk of its effect around perigee as observed in the solar angle
values during pre-and post-perigee.
To prevent the squint angles from deteriorating further, the AO-40
command team has initiated a 3-orbit magnetorque to take the satellite
back to the solar sensor edge (ALON/ALAT = 336/3). More information to
follow.
RUDAK testing will continue on Orbit 344 (which took place July 30th).
Transponder passbands were off for this orbit. Excellent progress was
made with RUDAK testing and software loading during the previous test,
and command stations hope to continue with that success.
Keith, GU6EFB, was one of several stations reporting very good signals
recently via AO-40. "I've been having a good time on AO-40 with lots of
DX to be worked, including KK3K, DL6DBN, G3WDG, OK2UZL and
N0ZHE. All were good, strong signals," said GU6EFB.
Stay tuned to ANS, the official source of AO-40 information.
[ANS thanks AMSAT-NA and AMSAT-DL for this information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-210.02
HELMS FIELD DAY PRESENTATION
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 210.02 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JULY 29, 2001
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-210.02
ARISS-International Chairman Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, reported to ANS
about International Space Station operations during the recent ARRL
June Field Day. Here is Frank's letter:
Greetings,
As all of you know, Susan Helms did a spectacular job as the first Field
Day contestant from space. The ARISS Team were so impressed with
Susan's abilities on the air that we wanted to give her a little recognition
for her efforts. Prior to the STS-104 flight, the ARISS Team worked with
STS-104 astronaut Jim Reilly to fly one of the ARRL 2001 Field Day pins
into space with the intention of presenting this to her. Jim brought the pin
up in his personal effects and made the presentation to Susan. In fact,
she was later seen in several official NASA photographs proudly wearing
the ARRL Field Day pin. In addition, the following statement was read
as the pin was presented:
On behalf of the ISS Ham Team we present you with this ARRL Field
Day 2001 pin. Thank you very much for participating in Field Day from
the solar powered Amateur Radio station on ISS. Your pioneering efforts
have set a high standard for future crews who will participate in this
annual June event. The ISS ham station is a vital emergency
communications link, just like the hundreds of thousands of Amateur
Radio stations on Earth. Through your efforts on Field Day, you have
demonstrated these capabilities to hams around the world.
73 from all the hams on Earth.
(signed)
The ARISS Team
[ANS thanks the ARISS Team for this information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-210.03
PCSAT TO LAUNCHED SOON
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 210.03 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JULY 29, 2001
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-210.03
Bob, WB4APR, reported to ANS that the launch of PCSat in early
September 2001 will represent a new direction for Amateur Radio
satellite communications. PCSat will offer distant travelers the
ability to send and receive satellite message traffic and to report
position and status from anywhere on Earth using only a handheld
radio. "No ham traveler heading to the wilderness should leave home
without his shirt pocket APRS handheld or other portable packet
station," said WB4APR.
PCSat will use conventional APRS packets at 1200 or 9600 baud,
and is designed to work with handhelds or mobiles using omni
antennas.
WB4APR told ANS that PCSat has a specific mission, and will take an
unusual step in the Amateur Satellite service by publishing user station
requirements and asking users to adhere to those requirements.
Bulletins from the satellite will inform users of current requirements.
As the launch date nears, Steve, K4HG, will be putting together a special
PCSat web page. In addition, to see the current world map of APRS
connectivity, visit:
http://www.aprs.net
The design parameters of PCSat can be found at:
http://web.usna.navy.mil/~bruninga/pcsat.html
Information about APRS satellites can be found on the WB4APR web
site: http://web.usna.navy.mil/~bruninga/astars.html
Stay tuned to ANS for more information on the launch PCSat.
[ANS thanks Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, for this information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-210.04
ANS IN BRIEF
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 210.04 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JULY 29, 2001
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-210.04
ANS news in brief this week includes the following:
AMSAT-NA Vice President W2RS provided ANS with a quick
first report of the just completed AMSAT-UK Colloquium.
Ray reports that Jerry, K5OE, won the award for the best talk,
"YAHE - Yet Another Helix Experiment." The award for the
best talk by a first-timer was won by Howard Long, G6LVB, for
"Entry Level AO-40 Capable Stations." W3PM won the AO-40
logo competition. As he did last year, Ray ran transatlantic
demos of AO-27 and UO-14, using a 5-watt handheld and a
portable beam. Six North American stations were worked on
two passes: VE1JH, VE9PLB, N1JEZ, KA2KCI, N1ZKB and
WA1ECF. -ANS
** Inflatable structures can reduce the cost of communication antenna
arrays, solar collectors, sun shields and other space-based structures.
The mechanisms for initial inflation and subsequent maintenance of
these structures are a critical part of mission planning. In addition, a
deployable, inflatable wing technology demonstrator experiment has
flown at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center. The inflatable wing
project represents a basic flight research effort by Dryden personnel.
-SpaceDaily
** Bruce, KK5DO, reports that he recently worked Allen, N5AFV, for
Allen's 5,000th satellite contact. All of N5AFV's operation has been
Either handheld or mobile as he has no antennas set up at his QTH.
N5AFV was introduced to satellite operating by KK5DO during a
June 2000 Field Day operation! -ANS
** ESA's Artemis telecommunications satellite is fully under the control
of the operations team and system engineers in Italy, supported by a
team of ESA specialists. The satellite was launched by an Ariane 5
recently but was left in a degraded orbit due to a malfunction in the
launcher's upper stage. The recovery strategy adopted aims to bring
the satellite to the nominal geostationary position and to maintain
chemical propellant to maximize the lifetime of the spacecraft,
originally planned to last 10 years. -ESA
** The November Special Satellite Issue of 73 magazine will feature
the following topics; AMSAT - Where to Next; Microwave Earthstation
Antennas for AO-40; Modifying the TranSystem 3373 for S-Band;
Working ALL USA Grids - via Satellite and Mode S - Tomorrow's
Downlink. The special issue will also include a cover photo for the
month. -Andy, W5ACM
** More than 1,700 ARRL members have expressed their opinions
on possible ways to optimize use of the present Novice and Technician
Plus allocations on 80, 40, 15 and 10-meters. Survey results ultimately
may form the basis of an ARRL petition for rule making before the FCC.
A copy of the Novice Spectrum Study survey remains available on the
ARRL Web site. -ARRL Letter
--ANS BULLETIN END---
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-210.05
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 1
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 210.05 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JULY 29, 2001
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-210.05
Phase 3D / AMSAT OSCAR 40 / AO-40
Launched: November 16, 2000 aboard an Ariane 5 launcher
from Kourou, French Guiana.
Status: Currently, the U/L-1 to S-2 passbands are active from MA-10
through MA-99. The current ALON/ALAT will give some very low squint
angles (especially in the northern hemisphere) that should provide for
excellent downlink signals.
AO-40 experimental transponder operation started on May 05, 2001 at
approximately 08:00 UTC when the U-band and L1-band uplinks were
connected to the S-2 transmitter passband downlink via the Matrix
switch.
[ANS thanks AMSAT-NA, AMSAT-DL and the ARRL for this information]
INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION/ARISS
Worldwide packet uplink: 145.990 MHz
Region 1 voice uplink: 145.200 MHz
Region 2/3 voice uplink: 144.490 MHz
Worldwide downlink: 145.800 MHz
TNC callsign NOCALL
ARISS initial station launched September 2000 aboard shuttle Atlantis.
ARISS is made up of delegates from major national Amateur Radio
organizations, including AMSAT.
Status: Operational. Voice contacts with ISS have been made recently.
The ISS packet station is available for UI packets (APRS or UI QSL).
The mailbox and keyboard are currently disabled. Please see the packet
section of the ARISS web page before attempting to first work ISS on
packet.
Will, KC6ROL, reports the ham radio contact between the K2BSA station
at the Boy Scout Jamboree and ISS was a big success. Susan Helms
answered more than a dozen questions from the scouts. "Everyone
seemed quite satisfied with the contact. Thanks to all that helped
especially Gene Chaplin, K5YFL, who was the mentor for the Jamboree
contact," said KC6ROL. ARISS mentor Charlie, AJ9N, reports the next
ARISS school contact is coming up shortly with the Joan Martin School
In Hobart, Indiana - currently scheduled for the morning of July 31st.
The ARISS-US team delivered a new packet module to NASA. This new
packet module is expected to correct several of the problems that have
been observed on the current ARISS packet system. Expedition-3
astronaut Frank Culbertson, KD5OPQ, is planning to make the
packet module change-out early in his ISS tour of duty (in August).
The ISS daily crew schedule (which gives an idea when crew members
have free time and may be available for Amateur Radio operations) can
be found at:
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/timelines/2001/may/index.html
U.S. callsign: NA1SS
Russian callsigns: RS0ISS, RZ3DZR
The QSL routes for W/VE stations working NA1SS aboard the International Space Station:
U.S. stations: Margie Bourgoin KB1DCO
Attn: ARISS Expedition-1 (or 2) QSL
ARRL, 225 Main Street
Newington, Connecticut 06111
Canadian stations: Radio Amateurs of Canada
Attn: ARISS Expedition-1 (or 2) QSL
720 Belfast Road, Suite 217
Ottawa, Ontario K1G 0Z5
European stations: AMSAT-France
16, rue de la Vallee
91360 Epinay sur Orge, France
A self-addressed, stamped envelope is required to get a QSL in return.
The ARISS international group has not yet finalized a QSL card design.
It will be a few months before cards become available. More information
about the project can be found on the ARISS web site at:
http://ariss.gsfc.nasa.gov
[ANS thanks ARISS team member Will Marchant, KC6ROL, for this
information]
RADIO SPORT RS-12
Uplink 145.910 to 145.950 MHz CW/SSB
Downlink 29.410 to 29.450 MHz CW/SSB
Beacon 29.408 MHz
Launched: February 5, 1991 aboard a Russian Cosmos C launcher
Status: RS-12 was re-activated in mode-A on January 1, 2001
The latest information on RS-12 and RS-13 can be found on the AC5DK
RS-12/13 Satellite Operators page at:
http://www.qsl.net/ac5dk/rs1213/rs1213.html
[ANS thanks Kevin Manzer, AC5DK, for RS-12 information]
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)
SSB meeting frequency 29.380 MHz (unofficial)
Launched: December 26, 1994 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome
Status: Semi-operational, mode-A, using a 2-meter uplink and a
10-meter downlink
Dave, WB6LLO, has operating information for both RS-15 on his
Web site. In addition to satellite data, antenna information for
mode-A operation is also featured. The WB6LLO web site URL is:
http://home.san.rr.com/doguimont/uploads
[ANS thanks Dave Guimont, WB6LLO, for this information]
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)
Launched: June 16, 1983 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou,
French Guiana. Status: Semi-operational, mode-B. AO-10 has
been locked into a 70-cm uplink and a 2-meter downlink for several
years.
DX continues to be heard and worked on AO-10.
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]
AMRAD AO-27
Uplink 145.850 MHz FM
Downlink 436.795 MHz FM
Launched: September 26, 1993 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou,
French Guiana. Status: Operational, mode J.
Periodically, AO-27's analog repeater will be turned off for a few days at
a time to enable ground controllers to gather Whole Orbital Data (WOD),
to verify the health of the satellite.
An AO-27 question-and-answer page is available on the AMSAT-NA web
site. The URL is: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/intro/ao27faq.html
AO-27 uses a method called Timed Eclipse Power Regulation (TEPR) to
regulate the on-board batteries. In simple terms, TEPR times how long
the satellite has been in an eclipse (or in the sun) and decides what
subsystems to turn on or off. The AO-27 pages on the AMSAT-NA web
site include an explanation of TEPR AO-27 operations (at):
http://www.amsat.org/amsat/sats/n7hpr/ao27.html
TEPR states on AO-27 were reset on March 24, 2001 as follows:
TEPR 4 is 38 / TEPR 5 is 78 (TEPR 5 is now 20 minutes long)
[ANS thanks AMRAD for AO-27 information]
UO-14
Uplink 145.975 MHz FM
Downlink 435.070 MHz FM
Launched: January 22, 1990 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou,
French Guiana. Status: Operational, mode J
Tim, KG8OC, features UO-14 information on the Michigan AMSAT
web site -- point your web browser to the following URL:
http://www.qsl.net/kg8oc
[ANS thanks Chris Jackson, G7UPN/ZL2TPO, for UO-14 information]
JAS-1b FO-20
Uplink 145.90 to 146.00 MHz CW/LSB
Downlink 435.80 to 435.90 MHz CW/USB
Launched: February 07, 1990 by an H1 launcher from the Tanegashima
Space Center in Japan. Status: Operational. FO-20 is in mode JA
continuously
Tak, JA2PKI, reported FO-20 control station operators believe that the
UVC (Under Voltage Controller) now is regulating the transponder. The
controller monitors battery voltage and tries to protect the batteries from
over discharge.
[ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for the FO-20 status reports]
JAS-2 FO-29
Launched: August 17, 1996, by an H-2 launcher from the Tanegashima
Space Center in Japan. Status: Operational
Voice/CW Mode JA
Uplink 145.90 to 146.00 MHz CW/LSB
Downlink 435.80 to 435.90 MHz CW/USB
Digital Mode JD
Uplink 145.850 145.870 145.910 MHz FM
Downlink 435.910 MHz 1200-baud BPSK or 9600-baud FSK
Callsign 8J1JCS
Digitalker 435.910 MHz
Last reported, the JARL FO-29 command station announced the
operation schedule of FO-29 through October 2001 - is mode JA
Mineo, JE9PEL, has a FO-29 satellite telemetry analysis program that
will automatically analyze all digital telemetry from the satellite (such as
current, voltage and temperature). The JE9PEL FO-29/shareware is
available at the following URL:
http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/
[ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for the FO-29 status reports]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-210.06
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 2
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 210.06 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JULY 29, 2001
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-210.06
TIUNGSAT-1
Uplink 145.850 or 145.925 MHz 9600-baud FSK
Downlink 437.325 MHz
Broadcast callsign MYSAT3-11
BBS MYSAT3-12
Launched: September 26, 2000 aboard a converted Soviet ballistic
missile from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Status: Operational at
38k4-baud FSK
Chris, G7UPN, tells ANS that TiungSat-1 has been operating at a data
rate of 38k4. Data recovery at 38k4 is reported to be extremely good with
efficiencies near 100%. The output power is at 8-watts "which should
provide a very good downlink," said Chris, adding "the downside is that
with the high power transmitter operating, the power budget is negative
so we can't support continuous operation."
According to G7UPN, TiungSat-1 now requires the Amateur Radio
station to switch the downlink 'on' when the satellite comes into range.
The way this works is for the ground station software to send a request
to the spacecraft to switch the downlink on. The spacecraft receives this
request and checks the battery voltage to see if it can support the
operation, and if it can it will activate the downlink.
TiungSat-1 is Malaysia's first micro-satellite and in addition to
commercial land and weather imaging payloads offers FM and FSK
Amateur Radio communication.
TiungSat-1, named after the mynah bird of Malaysia, was developed as
a collaborative effort between the Malaysian government and Surrey
Satellite Technology Ltd.
For more information on TiungSat-1, visit the following URL:
http://www.yellowpages.com.my/tiungsat/tiung_main.htm
[ANS thanks Chris Jackson, G7UPN/ZL2TPO, for this information]
KITSAT KO-25
Uplink 145.980 MHz FM (9600-baud FSK)
Downlink 436.500 MHz FM
Broadcast Callsign HL02-11
BBS HL02-12
Launched: September 26, 1993 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou,
French Guiana. Status: Operational
Jim, AA7KC, reports KO-25 returned to service on July 12th. Downlink
efficiency is in the 50% range. Traffic is light.
[ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, for this information]
UOSAT UO-22
Uplink 145.900 or 145.975 MHz FM 9600-baud FSK
Downlink 435.120 MHz FM
Broadcast Callsign UOSAT5-11
BBS UOSAT5-12
Launched: July 17, 1991 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou,
French Guiana. Status: Operational
Jim, AA7KC, reports UO-22 is operational with good downlink efficiency
and heavy traffic, both individual and SatGate. Many international
gateways are represented on the satellite.
More information on the satellite is available at the following URL:
http://www.sstl.co.uk/
[ANS thanks Chris Jackson, G7UPN/ZL2TPO, for UO-22 information and
Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, for status information]
OSCAR-11
Downlink 145.825 MHz FM (1200-baud AFSK)
Mode-S Beacon 2401.500 MHz
Launched: March 1, 1984 by a Delta-Thor rocket from Vandenberg Air
Force Base in California. Status: Operational
Clive, G3CWV, reported to ANS that during the period 09-June to
14-July there have been three noteworthy events with OSCAR 11.
First, reports of unusually strong mode-S beacon reception were
received from VK5HI and G4SDG. A possible explanation for these
strong signals might be that the fault which has caused low output
power for many years, may be intermittent, perhaps triggered by the
lower battery voltages which are currently occurring. Ground control
have confirmed that the S-band beacon has the same modulation as
the 145 MHz beacon, but the modulation level is very low.
Secondly, the rate at which the SEU counter increments has
approximately doubled, to about 390 counts per day. Decoding the
SEU binary telemetry shows regular memory failure at locations 3EC0
and 37B1. Less frequent faults at locations 1873 and 18F3 have also
been recorded. The failure of 3EC0 started around 12-May 2001.
Location 37B1 failed in August 1994. Unfortunately the presence of
permanent memory failures masks the occurrence of less frequent
random memory failures, which could be observed before the 1994
failure.
Finally, the Z-axis magnetorquer counter reached its limit of 1024 on
23-June. This has stopped further active attitude control. The satellite's
attitude is now controlled solely by the passive gravity boom gradient.
Prior to this the spin control had been working well, with periods in range
from 338 to 343 seconds.
Reliable signals have been received from the 145 MHz beacon. The
battery voltage observed during daylight passes is unchanged with
average value observed at 13.4 - with a range of 13.0 to 13.5 volts.
The internal temperatures have continued to decrease by a further
one degree C and are now at -1.2C and -2.6C for battery and telemetry
electronics respectively. The WOD survey of channels 1, 2, 3, 61
(X, Z, Y magnetometers and status) dated 24-March, has been
transmitted.
OSCAR-11 hardware generated time in the ASCII telemetry is now
15.5 minutes ahead of UTC, and the date is three days advanced.
Unfortunately these errors cannot be corrected.
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)
The ASCII bulletin is currently a static message, detailing modes and
frequencies of all active Amateur Radio satellites.
More information on OSCAR-11 is available at the following URL:
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/
[ANS thanks Clive Wallis, G3CWV, for OSCAR-11 status information]
PACSAT AO-16
Uplink 145.90 145.92 145.94 145.96 MHz FM
(using 1200-baud Manchester FSK)
Downlink 437.025 MHz SSB (RC-BPSK 1200-baud PSK)
Mode-S Beacon 2401.1428 MHz
Broadcast Callsign: PACSAT-11
BBS PACSAT-12
Launched: January 22, 1990 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou,
French Guiana. Status: Semi-operational, the digipeater command is on.
Telemetry is as follows:
uptime is 531/17:41:14. Time is Sat Jul 28 21:18:18 2001
+10V Bus 9.900 V PSK TX RF Out 0.714 W
+X (RX) Temp -11.499 D RX Temp 3.024 D
Bat 1 V 1.153 V Bat 2 V 1.098 V
Bat 3 V 1.137 V Bat 4 V 1.218 V
Bat 5 V 1.119 V Bat 6 V 1.210 V
Bat 7 V 1.140 V Bat 8 V 1.226 V
RC PSK BP Temp -5.448 D RC PSK HPA Tmp -4.237 D
+Y Array Temp -24.811 D PSK TX HPA Tmp -2.422 D
+Z Array Temp -16.339 D
Total Array C= 0.000 Bat Ch Cur=-0.303 Ifb= 0.172 I+10V= 0.149
TX:1006 BCR:7A PWRC:36D BT:1E WC:25 EDAC:92
A new WOD collection of current graphics along with general
Information and telemetry samples can be found at:
www.telecable.es/personales/ea1bcu
[ANS thanks Miguel Menendez, EA1BCU, for AO-16 status information]
UoSAT-12 UO-36
Uplink 145.960 MHz (9600-baud FSK)
Downlink 437.025 MHz 437.400 MHz
Broadcast Callsign UO121-11
BBS UO121-12
Launched: April 21, 1999 by a Russian launcher from the Baikonur
Cosmodrome. Status: Operational
UO-36 carries a number of imaging payloads, digital store-and-forward
communications and mode L/S transponders.
NASA has demonstrated on UO-36 the ability to use standard Internet
protocols to communicate with an orbiting spacecraft (just like any node
on the Internet). NASA has been developing this project by working with
the commercial payload aboard UoSAT-12.
The BBS is open, although uploading and downloading may be disabled
at times.
The VK5HI viewer shareware for UO-36 is available on the AMSAT-NA
web site at the following URL:
ftp://ftp.amsat.org/amsat/software/win32/display/ccddsp97-119.zip
Further information on UO-36 is available from: http://www.sstl.co.uk/
[ANS thanks Chris G7UPN/ZL2TPO, and the University of Surrey for this
information]
ITAMSAT IO-26
Uplink 145.875 145.900 145.925 145.950 MHz FM (1200-baud)
Downlink 435.822 MHz SSB
Broadcast Callsign ITMSAT-11
BBS ITMSAT-12
Launched: September 26, 1993 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou,
French Guiana. Status: Semi-operational, the digipeater function is on
and open for APRS users.
[ANS thanks ITAMSAT Project Manager Alberto E. Zagni, I2KBD, for
IO-26 information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-210.07
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 3
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 210.06 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, JULY 29, 2001
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-210.07
THE FOLLOWING ARE IN ORBIT BUT ARE NON-OPERATIONAL
AT THIS TIME:
TMSAT-1 TO-31
Uplink 145.925 MHz (9600-baud FSK)
Downlink 436.925 MHz (9600-baud FSK)
Broadcast Callsign: TMSAT1-11
BBS TMSAT1-12
Launched: July 10, 1998 by a Zenit rocket from the Baikonur
Cosmodrome. Status: Non-operational, no data downlinked
since December 18, 2000.
Chris G7UPN, (UoSAT operations manager) reports the
following to ANS:
The TO-31 downlink will be off over most areas, with the exception of
Europe and Thailand. This is required to allow control stations to
recondition the battery with minimum power drain.
ProcMail V2.00G has been released by G7UPN. This software permits
the processing of image files from TO-31. It has been posted to the
AMSAT-NA FTP site at the following URL:
http://www.amsat.org/amsat/software/win32/wisp
Many of the high-resolution color images transmitted by TMSAT are
Compressed using a UoSAT compression format. This format is
supported by the VK5HI CCD display program.
[ANS thanks Chris Jackson, G7UPN/ZL2TPO, for TO-31 status
information]
LUSAT LO-19
Uplink 145.84 145.86 145.88 145.90 MHz FM
(using 1200-baud Manchester FSK)
CW downlink 437.125 MHz
Digital downlink 437.150 MHz SSB (RC-BPSK 1200-baud PSK)
Broadcast Callsign LUSAT-11
BBS LUSAT-12
Launched: January 22, 1990 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French
Guiana. Status: Beacon only. The CW beacon is sending eight telemetry
channels and one status channel on 437.126 MHz. No BBS service is
available. The digipeater is not active.
Telemetry is as follows:
Time is Fri Jul 13 21:53:51 2001
CW-Code: avt aba av6 abn au6 a6v ttu aee
5V-reg.: 4.89 V 8.5V-reg: 8.68 V
10V-Bat: 10.94 V 10V-Curr: 114.1 mA
TX-Pwr : 0.899 W TX-Temp.: -0.46 ?C
+Z-Sol.: 0.30 V Box-Temp: 3.56 ?C
CW-Code: avt aba av6 abn aub a6u ttu aee
5V-reg.: 4.89 V 8.5V-reg: 8.68 V
10V-Bat: 10.94 V 10V-Curr: 113.4 mA
TX-Pwr : 0.899 W TX-Temp.: -0.46 ?C
+Z-Sol.: 0.30 V Box-Temp: 3.20 ?C
General information and decode values of
CW telemetry can find it in:
www.telecable.es/personales/ea1bcu/lo19
Mineo, JE9PEL, has recorded LO-19 CW and PSK telemetry and placed
the information on his Internet homepage site at:
http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/
General information and telemetry samples can be found at:
www.telecable.es/personales/ea1bcu
[ANS thanks Miguel Menendez, EA1BCU, for LO-19 status information]
SO-41 SAUDISAT-1A
Uplink to be released
Downlink 437.075 MHz
Broadcast Callsign SASAT1-11
BBS SASAT1-12
Launched: September 26, 2000 aboard a converted Soviet ballistic
missile from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Status: Unknown, this satellite
has been in orbit for almost 8 months. ANS has received no additional
information.
When/if operational, SaudiSat-1A will operate as 9600-baud digital
store-and-forward systems as well analog FM repeater mode capability.
One of two new ham satellites from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia built by
the Space Research Institute at the King Abdulaziz City for Science and
Technology.
SO-42 SAUDISAT-1B
Uplink to be released
Downlink 436.775 MHz
Broadcast Callsign SASAT2-11
BBS SASAT2-12
Launched: September 26, 2000 aboard a converted Soviet ballistic
missile from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Status: Unknown, this satellite
has been in orbit for almost 8 months. ANS has received no additional
information.
When/if operational, SaudiSat-1B will operate as 9600-baud digital
store-and-forward systems as well analog FM repeater mode capability.
One of two new ham satellites from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia built by
the Space Research Institute at the King Abdulaziz City for Science and
Technology.
SUNSAT SO-35
Mode J Uplink: 145.825 MHz FM
Mode J Downlink: 436.250 MHz FM
Mode B Uplink: 436.291 MHz FM
Mode B Downlink: 145.825 MHz FM
Launched: February 23, 1999 by a Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Air
Force Base in California. Status: Non-operational
The SunSat team released the following statement, dated
February 1, 2001:
We regret to announce that the last communication with SunSat from our
ground station at the Electronic Systems Laboratory at Stellenbosch
University took place recently. We are certain, after having performed
several tests since the last contact, that an irreversible, physical failure
has occurred on the satellite. It is therefore unlikely that we will have
any further contact with SunSat, apart from the occasional visual sighting
by telescope!
When it was operational the SunSat package included 1200 and 9600
baud digital store-and-forward capability and a voice 'parrot' repeater
system in addition to Mode B/J operation with two VHF and two UHF
transmit-receive systems.
For more information on SunSat visit the following URL:
http://sunsat.ee.sun.ac.za
[ANS thanks Garth Milne, ZR1AFH, for this information]
RADIO SPORT RS-13
Uplink 21.260 to 21.300 MHz CW/SSB
Downlink 145.860 to 145.900 MHz CW/SSB
Beacon 145.860 MHz
Launched: February 5, 1991 aboard a Russian Cosmos C launcher
Status: non-operational (last operational in mode-T)
RS-12 was re-activated in January 2001. Prior to this switch RS-13 was
operational (mode T), but was apparently turned off following the recent
RS-12 switch.
The latest information on RS-12 and RS-13 can be found on the AC5DK
RS-12/13 Satellite Operators page at:
http://www.qsl.net/ac5dk/rs1213/rs1213.html
[ANS thanks Kevin Manzer, AC5DK, for this information]
KITSAT KO-23
Uplink 145.900 MHz FM (9600-baud FSK)
Downlink 435.170 MHz FM
Broadcast Callsign HLO1-11
BBS HLO1-12
Launched: August 10, 1992 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou,
French Guiana. Status: Intermittent operation with the downlink
transmitter operating at unpredictable intervals.
Jim, AA7KC, reported that KO-23's downlink transmitter continues in
non-operational status. Jim says that KO-23 shows some signs of trying
to recover, but no useful data has been downlinked. The duration of this
status is unpredictable. No data has been received since
October 28, 2000.
KyungHee Kim, HL0ENJ, reports (from the KO-23 control team) that part
of the problem with non-operation has been the power budget aboard the
satellite. "We are not sure when the bird might turn off again due to
insufficient power. The capability of the onboard power system has been
less and less," said Kim. HL0ENJ also noted that as of October 30, 2000
the onboard computer was reset and a reboot of operational software
is/was underway.
[ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, and KyungHee Kim, HL0ENJ,
for KO-23 status information]
TECHSAT-1B GO-32
Downlink 435.225 MHz using HDLC telemetry
Launched: July 10, 1998 by a Russian Zenit rocket from the Baikonur
Cosmodrome. Status: Semi-operational.
Efforts were reported to be underway to bring GO-32 on line, however,
no information has been received by ANS (the last report was dated
November 1999).
Last reported, the satellite does transmit a 9600-baud burst every 30
seconds (the GO-32 beacon sends one short telemetry status
transmission of 44 bytes) and upon request the complete telemetry
buffer.
[ANS has no further information]
PANSAT PO-34
Uplink/downlink frequency (listed on the PanSat web site) 436.500 MHz
Launched: October 30, 1998 by the Shuttle Discovery. Status: Unknown
The satellite is not available for general uplink transmissions.
The Naval Postgraduate School developed PanSat. At the time of
launch, PanSat spread-spectrum digital transponders were promised to
be available to Amateur Radio operators along with software to utilize
this technology. To date, this has not happened.
For more information, visit the official PanSat web site at:
http://www.sp.nps.navy.mil/pansat/
PanSat was the featured cover article on the July/August 1999 issue of
the AMSAT-NA Journal (the story written by KD6DRA and N7HPR).
[ANS has no further information]
DOVE DO-17
Downlink 145.825 MHz FM (1200-baud AFSK)
2401.220 MHz
Launched: January 22, 1990 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou,
French Guiana. Status: 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.
[ANS has no further information]
WEBERSAT WO-18
Downlink 437.104 MHz SSB (1200 baud PSK AX.25)
Launched: January 22, 1990 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou,
French Guiana. Status: Non-operational.
WO-18 was last reported to be in MBL mode after a software crash.
[ANS has no further information]
SEDSAT-1 SO-33
Downlink 437.910 MHz FM (9600-baud FSK)
Launched: October 24, 1998 by a Delta 2 rocket from Cape Canaveral,
Florida. Status: Semi-operational.
The satellite is not currently available for uplink transmissions and the
image and transponder recovery efforts have been unsuccessful.
SedSat-1 signifies Students for the Exploration and Development of
Space (satellite number one).
SedSat-1 has downlinked months worth of telemetry data on the
performance of its electrical power system parameters. The Nickel
Metal Hydride batteries on the spacecraft were experimental and
experienced some abuse due to a power negative situation. This
information has provided NASA with useful information. With the
exception of the imaging system and the use of the transponders,
SedSat-1 has been judged a success.
For more information on SedSat-1 visit the satellite web site at the
following URL:
http://seds.uah.edu/projects/sedsat/sedsat.htm
[ANS has no further information]
/EX
--ANS END---
ANS would like to thank Mike Seguin, N1JEZ, ANS principal satellite
investigator, for helping provide current satellite information.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to:
ans-editor@amsat.org
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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