SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-061.01 PHASE 3-D INTEGRATION HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 061.01 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, MARCH 02, 1997 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-061.01 AMSAT teams from a number of countries recently converged on the Phase 3-D Integration Lab in Orlando, Florida to install the first ten electronic and RF modules into the new Phase 3-D International Satellite. These activities came just a few short weeks after many of the spacecraft's electronic modules, along with the satellite's main flight battery, also arrived in Orlando from the AMSAT-Germany (AMSAT-DL) Laboratory in Marburg. In a joint statement issued on February 28th, Werner Haas, DJ5KQ, AMSAT-DL Vice President and Keith Baker, KB1SF, AMSAT-NA Executive Vice President, outlined recent progress made on the satellite. Phase 3-D remains scheduled for launch by ESA on the next flight of their new Ariane 5 vehicle (Ariane 502) from Kourou, French Guyana, in early July. "We are most happy to be here and to participate with our international partners in the final integration of Phase 3-D", said Werner. "The cooperation with the American integration team in Orlando has been excellent." Werner also expressed his gratitude to Lou McFadin, W5DID, P3-D Integration Laboratory Manager and the other members of his Orlando Lab team for their hard work in preparing the satellite for the final integration phase. Soon after his arrival, Peter Guelzow, DB2OS, AMSAT-DL Digital Integration Manager, successfully accomplished a major integration milestone by powering up and then configuring the spacecraft's onboard Internal Housekeeping Computer (IHU). This was a critical task that had to be accomplished before the individual flight electronic modules could be switched on and tested. Many will recall that Peter gained considerable experience as a Command Station and was part of the IHU design team for all previous Phase 3 satellites. Chuck Green, N0ADI, was also on hand during these recent activities in Florida to assist Peter with IHU computer hardware as well as to discuss placement of the RUDAK digital experiment into the spacecraft. The remainder of P3-D's equipment control and testing will now be performed in the Orlando Integration Lab using an external control computer and terminal checkout system called COTE (short for "Checkout Terminal Equipment"). Among his many other P3-D tasks, it was also Peter Guelzow's job to both design and fabricate the COTE. In addition to his duties as AMSAT-DL's Vice President, Werner Haas has also been responsible for coordinating the entire communications suite for Phase 3-D. While in Orlando, Werner performed a final bench test on each of the RF modules prior to their installation into the satellite. Under Werner's watchful eye, most of the RF modules had already been subjected to extensive testing at AMSAT-DL's Laboratory in Marburg. These tests required at least 1000 hours of problem-free operation before each module could be labeled "flight certified" and shipped to Orlando. A team from AMSAT-OH (a subsidiary of the Radio Amateur Technology Society, RATS, in Finland) was also on hand in Orlando during this time to install their 10 GHz hardware. Using a redundant 7 Watt solid state power amplifier and traveling-wave tube (TWT) amplifier provided by AMSAT-DL, the TWT delivered a measured 60 Watts of clean RF output while installed in the spacecraft. Prior to their arrival in Orlando, Michael Fletcher, OH2AUE, and Harri Leskinen, OH2JMS, had already been to Marburg, Germany where their equipment easily passed its flight readiness review. DJ4ZC and DJ5KQ were well satisfied by the excellent construction quality of their transmitter as well as the perfect operation of the 10 GHz hardware while installed in the spacecraft. Dr. Karl Meinzer, DJ4ZC, President of AMSAT-DL and Project Leader of the P3-D satellite, was available to assist the team by telephone. Unfortunately, a number of launch details remained to be clarified with ESA to permit Karl to participate personally during this visit. However, Karl, along with many other European module builders, is expected to attend the next integration meeting now tentatively scheduled for late March in Orlando, Florida. Final testing and alignment of all the flight electronic modules will also be performed at that time. A Hungarian group under the leadership of Dr. Bandi Gschwind, HA5WH, was also slated to arrive in Orlando in early March to deliver and install the three flight Battery Control Regulator (BCR) modules for P3-D. The BCRs will control all power within the spacecraft. Bandi reports that the flight units were now completing their final burn-in tests. In addition, In addition, Yoshiyuki Takeyasu, JA6XKQ, from the Japanese AMSAT group (JAMSAT) arrived on February 28th, carrying JAMSAT's flight SCOPE camera. Yoshiyuki installed and successfully powered up the SCOPE in the satellite on March 1st Back in Germany, Konrad Mueller, DG7FDQ, AMSAT-DL's Structural Specialist and the person responsible for fabrication of the flight momentum wheels for the spacecraft, was putting the finishing touches on the flight wheels prior to their imminent shipment to Florida. Just prior to their departure from Germany, Werner and Peter received a high quality, fully populated circuit-board for control of the momentum wheels from Chuck Green. Needless to say, it is a very busy time for the project. However, so far, integration and testing are progressing on schedule for a July launch. Stay tuned for further ANS bulletins on the status of Phase 3-D integration. [ANS thanks Werner Haas, DJ5KQ, Peter Guelzow, DB2OS, and Keith Baker, KB1SF, for the information that went into this bulletin item.] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-061.02 JAMSAT DONATION TO P3D HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 061.02 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, MARCH 02, 1997 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-061.02 JAMSAT, the Japanese AMSAT group, this week transferred fifty thousand Dollars to the AMSAT-NA bank account to help in the completion, testing and launching of the Phase 3D satellite. This is money JAMSAT had raised from its members for the SCOPE camera which is to fly on Phase 3D, and remained when the SCOPE Project was completed. In a letter of thanks sent to JAMSAT President Tak Okamoto JA2PKI Thursday February 27th, AMSAT-NA President Bill Tynan W3XO said "Words cannot express our appreciation and that of Phase 3-D Project Leader and AMSAT-DL President Karl Meinzer DJ4ZC, for this very generous and significant contribution to the Phase 3-D Project. You are surely aware that, as we approach the completion, testing and launch of the spacecraft, expenses are mounting rapidly. JAMSAT's assistance at this time represents a major step to assuring success of the project that volunteers from many nations have been working on for the past seven years." The completed SCOPE camera, which was designed and built entirely by JAMSAT, was brought to the Phase 3D Integration Laboratory in Orlando, Florida Friday February 28th by Yoshiyuki Takeyasu JA6XRQ. Yoshiyuki installed and successfully powered up the SCOPE in the satellite on March 1st. [ANS thanks Bill Tynan, W3XO, and Keith Baker, KB1SF, for this information.] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-061.03 AO-13 FIRST AND LAST LIST HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 061.03 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, MARCH 02, 1997 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-061.03 The callsigns in this list are from opening day orbits #80, 22jul88, and #81, 23jul88. The final orbits represent orbits #6479, 22nov96, and #6480, 23nov96. Graham, VK5AGR, turned off the transponders on 23nov96 on orbit #6480, MA 99; orbit #6480 continued on telemetry beacon only. The following stations are on both lists: WD4FAB, WB6LLO, DB2OS, K6TSK, W4IMT(KG6EX), K7RR(W6HDO). The orbit numbers, and the dates pertain to data as registered on the satellite telemetry. NASA orbit numbers have been in error consistently, sometimes by as much as two orbit numbers. The satellite was the ONLY place for reliable orbit numbers. Opening day orbits #80, #81 on 22, 23 July 1988, UTC WD4AHZ, PY4AJ, W6ARG, K6AXW, DG3BAM, W4BE, NOBEL, N5BF, W5BKK, N5BRG, W3BWU, AE1C, W0CA, JA3CF, KA5DWI, LU8EBH, N6EIP, W0EOZ, W5EUB, KG6EX WD4FAB, W4FJ, WB2FPE, PY2GIS, W8GQW, W6HDO, K6HHJ, DF4HR, W2ICZ, WB8IFM WB4IOA, N4IQV, WB8JAY, G0JGP, W9JI, G4JUJ, G0JUL, K6JV, WA4KDB, W9KFB, W7KRC, DJ5KQ, WD4LCD WB6LLO, WA2LQQ, N6LYT, K6ML, W6MSG, SM1MUT, SM1MUU, K9NO, W1NU, NQ20, K8OCL, G0ORX, DB2OS, N4OUL, K6OVV KC2PH, WB5PMR, N9QX, WA1QXR, WA2RDE, HB9RHV, VK8RP, G3RUH, DG2SBW, KB4SRE, W6YSA, K6TSK, W4TZG, WA6UAP, ON6UG, WA5VAH, K9VCM, KA8WWQ, DG2XZ, DJ4ZC, WA5ZIB Last two "transponder on" orbits #6479, 6480 on 22, 23 November 1996, UTC KK7AG, DG3AQ, WA0AUQ, W3BBO, ZL2BLC, WL7BQM, TR8CA, W6CCY I8CVS, N6DD, F1DTM, VE3DZP, WD4FAB, WB4FWQ, W2GFF, W6GGM, KD4HUR, WA4HVC, N7HXP, N1JEZ, W4IMT(KG6EX), W5IU, KD9KX, F6KSV, WB6LLO, K5MFA, W2MNA, KB5MU, KD7MW, VE3NPC, N0NUL, F1NZC, KG5OA, WA6OJR F1OKN, KE6OMN, WA7OPE, DB2OS, W8OSE, KD6OZH, W3PM, W8QX N9RPQ, K7RR(W6HDO), KB1SF, N7SFI, WA4SXM, K0VPL, WY8T, ZL2TAL K6TSK, AA0UX, ZL2UYH, ZL2VBV, K7VCH, W8WRP, K7XK, K7YCH Please report errors, omissions to WB6LLO. He will maintain a corrected list, and only the corrections will be published.. [ANS thanks Dave Guimont, WB6LLO, for all his hard work in compiling this list.] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-061.04 MIR SCHOOL QSO HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 061.04 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, MARCH 02, 1997 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-061.04 A ham radio contact between ham-Astronaut Jerry Linenger, KC5HBR, aboard the Russian Mir space station, and pupils at an elementary school in Michigan went off on schedule February 27, unaffected by a fire aboard Mir a few days earlier. Linenger, a physician, reported no injuries and all crew members in good health following the incident on February 24. A problem with an oxygen-generating device on Mir set off fire alarms and caused minor damage from excessive heat rather than from open flame. The Mir fire was a popular topic as pupils at Charlevoix Elementary School in Michigan, spoke with Linenger Thursday morning. A crowd of 320, including reporters from four television stations and three newspapers, was on hand as 15 Charlevoix pupils spent ten minutes talking with Mir. The operator was Craig Stewart, KB8KPV. Regarding onboard emergencies, Linenger told the pupils that there is a crew return vehicle on each end of Mir, if something goes wrong, and he assured the youngsters that everything is fine now. He also mentioned that he misses pretzels and now eats about one-half Russian and one-half American food. ''The students were all very excited and really enjoyed their contact,'' said Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, AMSAT vice president for manned space flight. Three schools in Texas hope to have a chance to talk with Linenger over the next few weeks. The fire last Monday burned for about 90 seconds. The crew was exposed to heavy smoke for five to seven minutes and donned masks in response. Medical personnel directed the crew to wear goggles and masks until an analysis of the Mir atmosphere could be completed. Lithium perchlorate candles are burned to generate supplemental oxygen when more than three people are on board the space station. The oxygen-generating candles usually burn for up to 20 minutes. Russian officials believe the problem began when a crack in the oxygen generator's shell allowed the contents of the cartridge to leak into the hardware in which it was located. Crew members extinguished the fire with foam from three fire extinguishers. The heat destroyed the hardware in which the candle was burning, as well as the panel covering the device. The crew also reported that the outer insulation layers on various cables were melted by the heat. Russian flight controllers say that all Mir systems continue to operate normally, however. Other schools hoping to speak with Linenger via ham radio include Perryton High School, Perryton, Texas, on March 4, United South High School, Laredo, Texas, on March 11, Booker T. Washington High School, Houston, Texas, on March 17. In addition to Linenger, the Mir crew members include Mir 22 cosmonauts Valery Korzun and Alexander Kaleri, Mir 23 cosmonauts Vasily Tsibliev and Alexander Lazutkin, and German researcher Reinhold Ewald, DL2MIR, representing the German space agency, DARA. Korzun, Kaleri and Ewald are scheduled to return to Earth on Sunday, March 2, wrapping up a six-month mission for Korzun and Kaleri and three weeks of scientific experiments for Ewald. Linenger will remain aboard Mir with Tsibliev and Lazutkin until mid-May. Officials are evaluating possible impacts of the fire to the mission and its science activities, as technical experts at the Russian Mission Control Center investigate the incident. The burned panel and other materials may be returned to Earth with Korzun, Kaleri and Ewald on Sunday for further analysis. [ANS thanks the ARRL for this report.] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-061.05 NA DIGITAL SYSTEM DIRECTORY HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 061.05 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, MARCH 02, 1997 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-061.05 The Tucson Amateur Packet Radio Corporation (TAPR), with the support of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), will begin providing at the TAPR Internet site the information on digital systems that until now has been printed in the annual ARRL Repeater Directory. Information on digital systems will not be published in the 1997-98 edition of the Repeater Directory, permitting the publication to better focus on its primary use as a guide to voice repeaters for traveling Amateurs. In planning the 1997-98 edition, the ARRL concluded that the Repeater Directory was no longer the most effective medium for this information. Discussions involving various regional digital groups that provide data to the digital section of the Repeater Directory led to the conclusion that TAPR was the logical group to take on the task of a new North American Digital System Directory. This new database system will describe systems used by amateur radio stations involved in digital communications in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Digital System Directory will be based on information provided by regional, state, and local organizations as well as individuals in a nearly real-time format. This should allow information to be maintained and updated more frequently than in a yearly publication. TAPR will also work with participating organizations to make this information available on TAPR's yearly CD-ROM as well as some future publication for local/regional groups to distribute. The purpose of the Digital System Directory is not to manage, coordinate, or regulate the usage of digital systems, but to provide the most up to date and accurate listing of digital systems that can be provided. Neither is it a formal organization, but a mechanism to allow regional groups to provide and share information regarding digital systems. The Digital System Directory is intended for use by individuals to further their enjoyment of the hobby and by organizations to help plan and develop digital networks. Regional/Local groups including TwinsLAN, Texas Packet Radio Society, Miami Valley FM Association, Ohio Area Repeater Council, Puget Sound AR TCP/IP Group, Northern California Packet Association, Northern Illinois Packet Radio Frequency Council, Indiana Digital Experimenters Association, Central Lakeshore Experimenter's Digital Organization, HogNet Packet Radio Association, YCCC Sysops Association, and the Missouri Amateur Packet Radio Society have already begun to participate in the process. TAPR encourages other regional groups to support this project by contributing data from their respective areas. For further information on the project and how to get involved, regional groups should check http://www.tapr.org/directory or send e-mail to Carl Estey, wa0cqg@tapr.org [ANS thanks TAPR and ARRL for this news item.] SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-061.06 NASA TV GETS A NEW HOME HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 061.06 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, MARCH 02, 1997 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-061.06 On March 15, NASA Television will begin broadcasting via a new satellite that will allow reception by a wider audience throughout the continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii. NASA Television is designed to provide real-time coverage of Agency activities and missions as well as resource video to the news media, and educational programming to teachers, students and the general public. NTV currently is transmitted on the Spacenet 2 satellite, which is nearing the end of its life cycle. The GE-2 satellite, which was launched in January and is operated by GE Americom, will provide NASA TV with a larger "footprint," or coverage area. Effective March 15, NTV will be available on GE-2, Transponder 9C at 85 degrees West longitude, vertical polarization, with a frequency of 3880 Mhz, and audio of 6.8 Mhz. [ANS thanks Philip Chien, KC4YER, Earth News space writer and consultant for this report.] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-061.07 WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 1 HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 061.07 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, MARCH 02, 1997 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-061.07 FO-29 Voice/CW (Uplink 145.9-146.0MHz CW/LSB, Downlink 435.8-435.9MHz CW/USB) Digital (Uplink 145.85, 145.87, 145.910 MHz FM, Downlink 435.910 MHz FM 9600 baud BPSK) FO-29 is in digital mode at the current time. [ANS thanks, Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK for this update.] MIR: (New frequencies implemented 1 January 1997: Uplink 145.2 MHz FM Downlink 145.8MHz FM) Note, the above split is used for both packet and voice operation. SAFEX, MIR 70cm Repeater (Uplink 435.750MHz FM, Downlink 437.950MHz FM, Subaudible tone 141.3 Hz) The repeater is back up again and active. RS-12: (Uplink 21.21-21.25MHz CW/SSB, Downlink 29.41-29.45MHz or 145.91-145.95Mhz CW/SSB) The sat is giving extremely good downlink signals on 2 meters. In this period of poor propagation on 15 m, the T-mode is providing very easy access to the satellite. Interesting DX activity has been spotted in Europe with stations in Egypt, Crete, Cameroon, etc. [ANS thanks Stefano Badessi, PA3FWP, for this report.] RS-10: (Uplink 145.865-145.905MHz CW/SSB, Downlink 29.36-29.4MHz CW/SSB) Operating normally. Very busy with lots of QSOs heard over north America and Europe. RS-15 (Uplink 145.858-145.898MHz CW/SSB, Downlink 29.354-29.394MHz CW/SSB) Be aware that RS-15 has battery charging problems. When the satellite is in the dark it has low output power.. [ANS thanks Geoff Perry for this report.] (Hint: If SSB doesn't work for you, try CW. CW is very easy to hear on the downlink!) KO-23 (Uplink 145.85, 145.9MHz FM, Downlink 435.175MHz FM, 9600 Baud FSK.) KO-23 operating normally with high downlink efficiency. KO-25: (Uplink 145.87MHz FM, Downlink 436.5MHz FM, 9600 Baud FSK.) KO-25 operating normally with high downlink efficiency. [ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, for his reports on KO-25 and KO-23.] AO-27: (Uplink 145.85MHz FM, Downlink 436.8MHz FM) (Feb-22-97 10:26 UTC) It is working normally in its orbits over Europe. It's being heard nicely in the following countries, Germany, France, Belgium, Poland, Spain, Canary Islands etc. There continues to be interference caused by operators that ignore the special use of the. Up-Link frequency of 145.850 MHz, for AO-27. [ANS thanks Miguel A. Menendez, EA1BCU, for this report.] As of NOV 2, the AO-27 schedule is as follows: TEPR 4 = 16 = 8 Minutes in Length TEPR 5 = 52 = 18 Minutes in Length TX-3 is on Mid Power during TEPR 5. This will have the TX turn on 8 Minutes after the satellite enters the sun for a duration of 18 Minutes. This is a "back to US Latitudes"operation. N4USI, AO-27's current Command Station sends his thanks all for their messages about the satellite turning on later than expected. He reports he's deliberately letting the "turn on" time drift later (for about 4-5 Minutes) so stations in the southern latitudes can also have a chance to work AO-27. Every few months he will be letting the turn on time drift like this to give more stations a chance to make contacts thru the satellite. [ANS thanks Michael, N4USI , AO-27 Control-op, for this update.] AO-10: (Uplink 435.030-435.18MHz CW/LSB, Downlink 145.975-145.825MHz CW/USB) Operational /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-061.08 WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 2 HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 061.08 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, MARCH 02, 1997 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-061.08 AMSAT-OSCAR-16 (PACSAT) (Uplink 145.9, 145.92, 145.94, 145.86MHz FM, Downlink 437.0513MHz SSB, 1200 Baud PSK.) PACSAT (AO-16) It is working normally in its orbits on Europe.. The WOD files are active again. Graphic information about WOD/Telemetry values can be found at: http://arrakis.es/~ea1bcu/ao16.htm [ANS thanks Miguel A. Menendez, EA1BCU, for this report.] FO-20 (Uplink 145.9-146.0MHz CW/LSB, Downlink 435.8-435.9MHz CW/USB) Operating normally. Strong downlink signal. OSCAR-11 (Downlink 145.825MHz. FM, 1200 Baud PSK) During the past month (18 December - 14 January) good, steady signals have been received from OSCAR-11 on 145.826 MHz. The last month (14 January - 17 February) has been uneventful for OSCAR-11. Good, steady signals have been received from the 145.826 MHz. beacon. Mirek, OK2AOK reports hearing the mode-S beacon on January 25th. The signals peaked at S6 on a pass when the maximum elevation was 21 degrees. Telemetry nominal. The solar eclipses have reduced the internal temperatures by about eight degrees compared to the full sunlight condition. The battery appears to be maintaining its charge. The spin period has varied from 300 to 378, but most of the time it is around 365 seconds. According to "The Satellite Experimenter's Handbook", UoSAT-2, alias UO-11 was launched 1st March 1984, 13 years ago. That's a long time is space! Congratulations to all UoSAT team. [ANS thanks Clive Wallis, G3CWV, and Richard W L Limebear, G3RWL, and Francisco Costa, CT1EAT, for this information.] IO-26 ( ITAMSAT): (Uplink 145.875, 145.9, 145.925, 145.95MHz FM, Downlink 435.822MHz SSB, 1200 Baud PSK.) IO-26 controllers report that the spacecraft is now in IHT mode. The new ROBOT software is under currently undergoing tests. The beacon reports that the digipeater is OFF and that the ROBOT is undergoing tests. Controllers ask that groundstations please do not transmit on any of the satellite's uplink frequencies for the time being. [ANS thanks Daniele Piercarlo, IK2XRO, ITMSAT Command Station for this report.] DO-17(DOVE) ( Downlink 145.825MHz FM, 1200 Baud AFSK.) No changes reported during last few weeks LUSAT-OSCAR-19 (Uplink 145.84, 145.86, 145.88, 145.9MHz FM, Downlink 437.1528MHz SSB, 1200 Baud PSK AX.25.) LUSAT (LO-19)is working excellently in its orbits on Europe. [ANS thanks Miguel A. Menendez, EA1BCU, for this report.] WEBERSAT (WO-18) (Downlink 437.104MHz SSB, 1200 Baud PSK AX.25.) Webersat's (WO-18) new telemetry/housekeeping suite is operational sending standard telemetry, and the following WOD channels: 16 - Battery voltage #1 17 - Battery voltage #2 18 - Battery voltage #3 1B - Battery voltage #6 1E - Array voltage presented to the BCR 21 - BCR +10 volt bus The taking of photos and spectra will resume after the attic code has been loaded. [ANS thanks Tommy Davis, IK3WVJ, for this report.] [Please send your Satellite or News reports to ANS Editor B.J. Arts, WT0N, via e-mail, at bjarts@uslink.net or to wt0n@amsat.org] /EX