SB NEWS @ AMSAT $SPC0928
* SpaceNews 28-Sep-98 *


BID: $SPC0928


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


		        MONDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 1998


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


* RS SATELLITE NEWS *
=====================
The RS-12 satellite has seen many recent changes in operation over the past
week.  Some reports indicate that RS-13 may have been placed in operation
as well.  No official word from satellite controllers has been received,
so the best advice is to monitor each satellite carefully to determine
which transponder is in operation and which mode it is operating in.

Tom Hart, AD1B, reports that RS-15 continues to work, but has no beacon.
Activity is minimal due to the weak downlink signals associated with this
satellite.  


* MIR NEWS *
============
Scott, WA6LIE, reports that the amateur radio station on-board the Mir
space station was off the air recently due to an internal spacewalk
performed by the crew of Mir within the Spektr module which houses
the amateur radio equipment.  The station has been turned back on.

Currently, 145.985 MHz is used for 1200 baud packet and voice contacts
with the cosmonauts.  The SAFEX module frequencies are:

	437.950 rx/435.750 tx - PL 141.3 SAFEX repeater  
	437.925 rx/435.725 tx - PL 151.4 SAFEX crew QSO mode

The packet radio mailbox uses a callsign of R0MIR-1.  The SAFEX UHF
repeater uses a callsign of RR0DL.  Packet connections to R0MIR do
not connect with the mailbox, and are basically a waste of time.

QSL cards must be sent along with a business-sized self-addressed stamped
envelope (the card will not fit in a regular-sized envelope) is a card
in return is desired.  A "green stamp" to cover postage would also be
appreciated (USA ONLY).   Please include two IRCs for international QSL
requests.  The IRC must be dated 1998 because the post office will NOT
accept IRCs over one year old.

QSLs World Wide (EXCEPT EUROPE) should be sent to:

	Dave Larsen, N6CO
	P.O. Box 1501
	Pine Grove, California  95665
	U.S.A.

European QSLs go to:

	Radio-Club "F5KAM - QSL Manager de "R0MIR"
	"Carrefour International de la Radio"
	22, Rue BANSAC - 63000 - CLERMONT-FERRAND - FRANCE

Additional information on the MIREX program can be found at the MIREX
web site at:

	http://www.ik1sld.org/mirex.htm
		-or-
	http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Lab/3431/mirex.htm

[Info via Scott, WA6LIE]


* OSCAR STATUS *
================
In response to numerous questions, the DOVE-OSCAR-17 experienced a software
crash several months ago and has not been on the air since the problem
occurred.  It is not known when the satellite will return to the air, nor
is it known when full operation will be restored to WEBERSAT-OSCAR-18,
LUSAT-OSCAR-19, or ITAMSAT-OSCAR-26.  Managing satellites is not an easy
task, so while these satellites may not be fully operational at the present
time, it is important to note that they are all in healthy condition and
are expected to return to the air once controllers complete their testing
procedures and reload the necessary operating software.

The P3D satellite is still on the ground, and it is not known when it will
be placed in earth orbit.  The next Shuttle flight, STS-95, will not carry
SAREX equipment.


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

		AD1B		TK5GF		KA9WTD


* 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, KITSAT-OSCAR-25


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/EX