SB NEWS @ AMSAT $SPC0821 * SpaceNews 21-Aug-00 * BID: $SPC0821 ========= SpaceNews ========= MONDAY AUGUST 21, 2000 * OSCAR-11 REPORT * =================== During the period 17 July to 15 August 2000, good signals have been received from OSCAR-11's 145.826 MHz VHF-FM beacon, in spite of the rather low battery voltage for much of the time. The battery voltage observed during daylight passes has slightly increased. The average value observed was 13.6, with a range of 13.4 to 13.9 volts. The internal temperatures have increased by 1.4C during the month. They are now 0.4C and -1.0C for battery and telemetry electronics respectively. This rise in temperature is expected as the solar eclipse times become shorter. The single Whole Orbit Data (WOD) telemetry 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 satellite's 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 shift. Users should also note that the polarization of OSCAR-11 is left-hand circular. Even if you can't hear OSCAR-11's S-band beacon transmitter, your equipment may still be suitable for P3-D. Any reports of reception on 2401 MHz would be most welcome, and should be directed to Clive Wallis at: g3cwv@amsat.org. OSCAR-11's 435.025 MHz UHF beacon transmitter 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 is mainly binary. Listeners to OSCAR-11 may be interested in visiting a web site dedicated to this satellite. The 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 containing 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 (g3cwv@amsat.org)] * WEATHER SATELLITE INFO * ========================== John, F6HCC recently supplied the following list of APT weather satellites transmitting on VHF frequencies: * NOAA-12 on 137.500 MHz * NOAA-14 on 137.620 MHz * NOAA-15 recently failed -- bad pictures on 137.500 MHz * NOAA-16 previous launch Aug, 29. freq 137.500 or 137.620 MHz * METEOR-3/5 on 137.300 MHz (alt 1200 km). * RESURS on 137.850 MHz * OKEAN occasionally on 137.400 MHz (Europe) [Info via John, F6HCC] * AMSAT-OSCAR-16 NEWS * ======================= Dirk, ON1DLL, reports that the AMSAT-OSCAR-16 satellite is currently transmitting telemetry and brief text announcements in 1200 baud BPSK. The text announcements reads as follows: June 2000 S-Band off PSK Tx power 1.5 watts Digipeat is on AO16 Command Team The BBS has been off since the last software crash. * THANKS! * =========== Thanks to all who recently sent messages of appreciation for SpaceNews, especially: KB7ADO VE9TRE * 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 @ WB2COP.NJ.USA.NA INTERNET: kd2bd@amsat.org, magliaco@email.njin.net SATELLITE: KITSAT-OSCAR-25 <<=- SpaceNews: The first amateur newsletter read in space! -=>> <<=- Serving the planet (and beyond) since 1987 -=>> /EX