SB SAT @ AMSAT  $ANS-042.01
SPRE FOLLOW-UP

HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 042-01 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD February 11, 1996
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-042.01

In answer to a recent congratulatory message from Frank Bauer KA3HDO, AMSAT's
Vice President for Manned Space Program; Ken McCaughey, N3FZX SPRE - Spartan
Packet Radio Experiment Project Leader at the University of Maryland Amateur
Radio Association wrote:

"Thanks!!!  Congratulations to you as well on your ARRL award for your SAREX
efforts.  The U of Maryland Amateur Radio Club got into satellite operations
as a result of SAREX.  

There were several times where we thought we would not make it
either.  The flying payloads in shuttle environment is a very difficult
and challenging.  At many points we were running on shear dedication
to the cause.  We were able to meet the challenges mainly because we had
a critical mass of dedicated volunteers.  It was a real thrill to
see it work!

It seems that the Internet software linking the ground stations
has become an unexpected highlight of the SPRE project.  It was developed
out of need as opposed to pushing the envelope.  It worked amazingly well,
exceeding our expectations!  All who have used it thought it was a real
clever application with a lot of potential.  I have been told that we
are probably the first to link satellite ground stations real-time
via the Internet.  I have also learned that NASA has put out a SBIR (Ssmall
Business Initiative Research) bulletin to investigate just such a system. 
Maybe something like SPREnet could be used in support of SAREX or other AMSAT
projects. 

Thanks for you help with the SAREX ground stations.  All the
stations that helped us out were absolutely first class!  They were a
pleasure to work with and they really made flight operations a success.  
Many thanks to the SAREX Team.

At this point we are getting our lives back.  :)  We are also
processing the collected data.  I have passed along your message to the SPRE
Team.  There is interest in involvement in the Space Station SAREX
efforts.  We are at least interested in hearing more about what is planned." 

AN thanks Frank Bauer for providing the information used in this bulletin.

/EX

SB SAT @ AMSAT  $ANS-042.02
SATELLITE STATUS

HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 042-02 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD February 11, 1996
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-042.02

According to a number of recent reports, RS-12 is currently operating mode KT
(15m up, and both 10m/2m down).

Great signals on the 2m downlink are 
reported.  10w to a tribander on the
uplink are said to produced solid S-9 copy on the 2m downlink even when the
satellite is overhead.

Passbands are:  21.210-21.250 up, 29.410-29.450 and 145.910-14.950 down
Beacons are at 29.412, 145.912, 29.450, 145.950.

ANS thanks John Boudreau, VE8EV for this information.  He can be reached via
E-Mail at: ve8ev@amsat.org through Packet: VE8EV@KL7AA.#NAK.AK.USA.NOAM.


AMSAT-OSCAR-10's orientation continues to be such that its solar panels are
do not receive adequate i
llumination to maintain a charge on its storage
batteries.  As a result, the downlink first experienced frequency
instability, and then went silent.  Users should refrain from using AO-10
until sun angles improve  the point where once again the beacon and
transponded signal sound normal.

/EX

SB SAT @ AMSAT  $ANS-042.03
HOUSTON AMSAT NET GOES CANADIAN

HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 042-03 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD February 11, 1996
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-042.03

The Houston Area AMSAT Net can be heard every Sunday night at 10 PM
Central time on ANIK E2, Transponder 18, 5.8 MHz audio subcarrier.
This local AMSAT Net has been active since 1980.  In the last two
years the net has been available via various commercial C-band
satellites.  The Houston group hopes this move to ANIK E2 will be
"home" for many months.  Feel free to distribute the net via local
VHF and UHF repeaters.  The audio quality is excellent.

/EX