SB NEWS @ AMSAT $SPC0424 * SpaceNews 24-Apr-00 * BID: $SPC0424 ========= SpaceNews ========= MONDAY APRIL 24, 2000 * MIR SSTV * ============ Mir has been transmitting slow-scan television images in ROBOT 36 mode over the past two weekends. Signals have been heard in the morning hours on 145.985 MHz. * KO-25 / UO-14 QRM * ===================== The KO-25 and UO-14 satellites are once again sharing similar footprints. Since both satellites share nearly identical uplink frequencies, expect uplink interference on both satellites until the two spacecraft move further apart over time. * OSCAR-11 NEWS * ================= During the period 16 March to 15th April 2000, reasonable signals have been received from OSCAR-11's 145.826 MHz FM beacon. Users should note that the date in the hardware generated ASCII telemetry is now advanced by THREE days, and the other dates (which are generated by software) are advanced by ONE day. Ground control may be able to correct the software generated dates, but not the hardware generated date. The battery voltage during daylight passes has decreased slightly. The average value observed was 13.7, with a range of 13.4 to 14.0 volts. The internal temperatures have again decreased by about one degree C. They are now 2.4C and 0.8C for battery and telemetry electronics respectively. A single WOD survey of channels 10, 20, 30, 40 (+Y, -X, +X solar array currents, array voltage), dated January 06 has been transmitted. Note the year of this WOD survey is incorrectly displayed as 99. This survey clearly shows the solar eclipses, and a spin period of 340 seconds. The operating schedule is unchanged: ASCII status (210 seconds) ASCII bulletin (60 seconds) BINARY SEU (30 seconds) ASCII TLM (90 seconds) ASCII WOD (120 seconds) ASCII bulletin (60 seconds) BINARY ENG (30 seconds) The ASCII bulletin is currently a static message, detailing modes and frequencies of all the amateur radio satellites. There are additional status blocks after each bulletin is transmitted, and between ASCII TLM and WOD. The Mode-S beacon is ON, transmitting an unmodulated carrier, but telemetry indicates that it has partially failed, and delivering half power. This beacon is a useful test source for those testing Mode-S converters, prior to the launch of P3-D. However, the signals are very weak, and there is a lot of Doppler. Users should also note that the polarization of OSCAR-11 is LHC. Even if you can't hear OSCAR-11, your equipment may still be okay for P3-D. Any reports of UO-11 reception on 2401 MHz would be most welcome, and should be directed to Clive Wallis via e-mail at: g3cwv@amsat.org. OSCAR-11's 435.025 MHz UHF beacon is normally OFF. However, it can sometimes be heard when the satellite is being commanded by ground control, ie. within range of Guildford, UK. When the UHF beacon is transmitting, the VHF beacon is normally OFF. The data transmitted by the UHF beacon is mainly binary data. Listeners to OSCAR-11 may be interested in visiting a web site dedicated the satellite. The web site contains details of hardware required and some software for capturing data, and decoding ASCII telemetry and WOD. There is an archive of raw data (mainly WOD) for analysis, which is continually being expanded as new data is captured. Also included are some audio files, examples of each type of data transmitted by OSCAR-11, each one plays for about ten seconds. There are also examples of Mode-S reception. All the audio files are zipped, so that they can be played off-line. These should help listeners identify the various types of data, and give an indication of the signal quality required for successful decoding. The URL is: http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/ [Info via Clive Wallis, G3CWV] * 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/ MAIL: John A. Magliacane, KD2BD Department of Engineering and Technology Brookdale Community College 765 Newman Springs Road Lincroft, New Jersey 07738 U.S.A. PACKET: KD2BD @ N2TDU.NJ.USA.NA INTERNET: kd2bd@amsat.org, magliaco@email.njin.net SATELLITE: AMSAT-OSCAR-16, KITSAT-OSCAR-25 <<=- SpaceNews: The first amateur newsletter read in space! -=>> <<=- Serving the planet (and beyond) since 1987 -=>> /EX