Re: [amsat-bb] SEC: UNCLASSIFIED - Telemetry and Command

["Tom Clark (W3IWI)" <tac@xxxxxxxxx>]

Russ Renaud wrote:

> >I seem to recall reading that the first prototype SARP packages
> for EPIRBs was carried onboard one of the early OSCAR
> satellites...

Not quite. Back in the early 70's, the Mode-A transponder on Oscar-6 was used
to demonstrate the feasibilility of doing position determination with a
VHF-only Doppler system. Two groups did such demonstrations.

A Canadian group under Larry Kayser (VA3LK) used a low-powered 2M beacon (using
Larry's call at the time = VE3QB)  in a mobile installation in the Ottawa area.

A second group at NASA Goddard (Dan Brandl, Doug Kahle and me) used a fixed
low-power beacon in Maryland (Using my call at the time, WA3LND).

In both cases, Doppler tracking of the beacons proved to be accurate at the 1-2
km level using 146/29 MHz. This proved the concept that the standard EPIRB
121.5 MHz would be adequate for locating downed aircraft and boats in trouble.


A couple of personal notes: At the time of these tests, both Larry and I were
on the AMSAT Board. Larry is well rememberd for developing the automated
command station that "kicked" the balky AO-6 satellite every 2 minutes so that
could be used.  Recently Larry (now VA3LK) was the North American end of the
first 136 khz Transatlantic QSO.

Doug Kahle was my next door neighbor. He passed away suddenly a week ago and
his eulogies remembered his many contributions to the COSPAS/SARSAT project.
Doug's son Duncan is KA3ZGF.

73 de Tom, W3IWI

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