SB NEWS @ AMSAT $SPC0106
* SpaceNews 06-Jan-97 *


BID: $SPC0106


			       =========
			       SpaceNews
			       =========


			MONDAY JANUARY 6, 1997


SpaceNews originates at KD2BD in Wall Township, New Jersey, USA.  It
is published every week and is made available for non-commercial use.


* NEW YEAR GREETINGS FROM MIR *
===============================
Dr. Dave Larsen, N6CO, copied the following holiday greeting from Mir's
packet radio personal message system:

  Stat   : PR    
  Posted : 12/30/96 21:36
  To     : ALL    
  From   : R0MIR  
  @ BBS  :        
  xID    : 
  Subject: Happy New Year

  Happy New Year and successfull 1997 to all people
  around the World.

  73 de Mir crew Valeri Alexander John


* MIR FREQUENCY CHANGE *
========================
2-meter band Amateur radio operations taking place from the Mir space
station reversed frequencies on 01-Jan-97.  Uplinks to Mir now take
place on 145.200 MHz, while downlinks may be heard on 145.800 MHz.
The use of split transmit and receive frequencies will be in effect
for both voice and data (packet radio) communications with the Mir
space station.

REMEMBER: Only one station can access the Mir PMS at a time.  Digipeating
through Mir results in malicious interference to groundstations trying to
use the PMS for its intended purpose (ie: leaving short messages for the
Cosmonauts on-board Mir).


* YOUTH CONTACT WITH MIR *
==========================
South African youth will be talking to MIR as part of the Amateur Radio
in South African Schools project (ARISAS).  ARISAS is a joint project of
the SA Radio League, SA AMSAT, and the SA Amateur Radio Development Trust.


The link with Mir will be covered on shortwave as follows:

Sunday 5 January

16:30 - 17:10 UTC 7205 kHz (250 kW) beaming north from Johannesburg
                  3215 kHz 100 kW omni


Reception reports are welcomed, and should be directed to Hans van de
Groenendal at: hans@igubu.saix.net.

Organizers had hoped to include youth from other African countries, but
due to third party restrictions, it was not possible in the few days
available to make the needed arrangements.  Thanks go to Rosalie White,
Frank Bauer, and the SAREX and MIREX teams for making this link with Mir
possible.

[Info via Hans, ZS5AKV]


* SKN BEST FIST NOMINATIONS DUE *
=================================
Judging by the activity levels observed at W2RS (especially on RS-10 and
RS-12), OSCAR SKN '97 was a great success, with lots of fun for all who
took part.

Some nominations for "Best Fist" have already been received.  If you haven't
yet sent yours in, please take a moment to nominate someone you worked.
To submit a "Best Fist" nomination, please address it via packet radio
to W2RS @ WA2SNA.NJ.USA.NA or W2RS @ GB7HSN.#32.GBR.EU (whichever is
closer to you), via the Internet to <w2rs@amsat.org>, or via "snail-mail"
to W2RS' callbook address.  Those nominated will be featured in a bulletin
sent to Amateur Radio publications and posted to ANS, packet radio and
AMSAT-BB in early February.

[Info via W2RS]


* AMSAT.ORG REMINDER *
======================
Those wishing to subscribe or end their electronic subscriptions to any
of the mailing lists sponsored by AMSAT-NA via their amsat.org Internet
site are reminded that such requests should be directed to:

	listserv@amsat.org

and not to name of the mailing list(s) in question.


* FO-29 NEWS *
==============
Reception reports of FUJI-OSCAR-29's "Digitalker" transmissions should be
directed to the JARL.  Please include the following information in your
report:

1. Date and time of reception
2. Reception location
3. Signal strength
4. Content of transmission
5. Rig (receiver) and antenna used

To receive a verification (QSL) card from JARL, please include an SASE
with your reception report.  Reports should be addressed to:

JARL Technical Lab
FUJI-3 Reception Report Division
1-14-5 Sugamo, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 170-73
Japan


* THANKS! *
===========
Thanks to all who sent messages of appreciation to SpaceNews, especially:

  LU1HKO    KA2DRV    I2KBD    N2GJ    N2JUX    G3IOR    W3DID
  KB5MU     PY5BYE    EB6WQ    KO6RD   KA7GCB   LU8EBH   TG9IKE   IK0OEK

All the best wishes to everyone for a great New Year!


* FEEDBACK/INPUT WELCOMED *
===========================
Comments and input for SpaceNews should be directed to the editor (John,
KD2BD) via any of the paths listed below:
 
WWW       : http://www.njin.net/~magliaco/
PACKET    : KD2BD @ KS4HR.NJ.USA.NA
INTERNET  : kd2bd@amsat.org, magliaco@email.njin.net
SATELLITE : AMSAT-OSCAR-16, LUSAT-OSCAR-19


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/EX