SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-173.S1 WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 1 Good Luck on AMSAT Field Day 2002! AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 173.S1 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, JUNE 22, 2002 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-173.S1 Phase 3D / AMSAT OSCAR 40 / AO-40 Launched: November 16, 2000 aboard an Ariane 5 launcher from Kourou, French Guiana. Status: Currently, the U/V/L-1/L-2 to S-2/K passband is active (various times) Uplink U-band 435.550 - 435.800 MHz CW/SSB L1-band 1269.250 - 1269.500 MHz CW/SSB L2-band 1268.325 - 1268.575 MHz CW/SSB Downlink: S-band 2401.225 - 2401.475 MHz CW/SSB K-band 24,048.010 - 24.048.060 MHz CW/SSB AO-40 experimental transponder operation started on May 05, 2001 at approximately 08:00 UTC when the U-band and L1-band uplinks were connected to the S-2 transmitter passband downlink via the Matrix switch. AO-40 control stations (recognizing that a large number of stations would like to use AO-40 for as long as possible on Field Day) will omit the RUDAK session on Orbit 756, allowing another 2.4 hours of U/L->S2 operating time on Field Day Sunday. There have been multiple requests to try the V uplink and the operations team would also like to determine what the V-Rx hears in the way of hemispheric "interference" on 145 MHz. Therefore, as an initial test, from MA = 120 to 128 on Wednesdays only, the V-Rx will be connected to the S2 Tx, along with both L-band receivers. Please post observations to the amsat-bb. The K-Tx segment has been temporarily discontinued. We were experiencing some fluctuations in power output believed related to the very cold temperatures. Temperatures will begin to warm as the solar angle move to the Z+ end of the satellite, and the K-Tx sessions will resume in a few weeks. Upcoming DX: T88ZF from June 29-July 6, 2002 HB0 from July 13-14, 2002 TY, Benin from July 15-August 14, 2002 HK0ZZ from July 16-29, 2002 V63ZF from July 17-28, 2002. Ground stations capturing telemetry from AO-40 are asked to send a copy of the data to the AO-40 archive at: ao40-archive@amsat.org. For the current transponder-operating schedule visit: http://www.amsat-dl.org/journal/adlj-p3d.htm [ANS thanks AMSAT-NA, AMSAT-DL and the ARRL for this information] ===== INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION/ARISS Worldwide packet uplink: 145.990 MHz FM Region 1 voice uplink: 145.200 MHz FM Region 2/3 voice uplink: 144.490 MHz FM Worldwide downlink: 145.800 MHz FM TNC callsign: RS0ISS The ARISS initial station was launched September 2000 aboard shuttle Atlantis. ARISS is made up of delegates from several major, national Amateur Radio organizations, including AMSAT. Status: Operational. Arthur, N1ORC reports working Cmdr. Valery Korzun on 06/21/02. ISS packet activity has been suspended. When the mailbox function is active, ground stations are discouraged from using it. Currently, there is no computer hooked up to the packet system. ARISS school contacts will resume in early July after the Expedition 5 crew of mission commander/U.S. astronaut Peggy Whitson, KC5ZTD, and Russian cosmonauts Valeri Korzun and Sergei Treschev settles in aboard ISS. The latest ARISS announcements and successful school list is available at: http://ariss.gsfc.nasa.gov An archive of school contacts can be found at: http://www.msnbc.com/news/505064.asp NASA information on the ISS station can be found at: http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/reference/radio/ The ISS daily crew schedule (which gives an idea when crew members have free time and may be available for Amateur Radio operations) can be found at: http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/timelines/ A detailed breakdown of the antenna installation with some great pictures and diagrams (depicting the entire ISS ham system including antenna's) can be downloaded at: http://ariss.gsfc.nasa.gov/EVAs/amsat01.pdf U.S. callsign: NA1SS Russian callsigns: RS0ISS, RZ3DZR The QSL routes for W/VE stations working NA1SS aboard the International Space Station: U.S. stations (a SASE is required to get a QSL in return): Margie Bourgoin, KC1DCO Attn: ARISS Expedition-1 (or 2, 3 etc.) QSL ARRL, 225 Main Street Newington, Connecticut 06111 Canadian stations: Radio Amateurs of Canada Attn: ARISS Expedition-1 (or 2, 3 etc.) QSL 720 Belfast Road, Suite 217 Ottawa, Ontario KEG 0Z5 European stations (a SASE and 2 IRC's are required to get a QSL in return). AMSAT-France 14 bis, rue des Gourlis 92500 Rueil Malmaison France [ANS thanks Will Marchant, KC6ROL, and Jean-Louis Rault, F6AGR, for this information] ===== RADIO SPORT RS-12 Uplink: 21.210 to 21.250 MHz CW/SSB Downlink: 29.410 to 29.450 MHz CW/SSB Beacon: 29.408 MHz Robot: 29.454 MHz Launched: February 5, 1991 aboard a Russian Cosmos C launcher Status: RS-12 was placed in Mode-K on February 19, 2002. The latest information on RS-12 and RS-13 can be found on the AC5DK RS-12/13 Satellite Operators page at: http://www.qsl.net/ac5dk/rs1213/rs1213.html [ANS thanks Kevin Manzer, AC5DK, for RS-12 information] ===== RADIO SPORT RS-13 Uplink: 21.260 to 21.300 MHz CW/SSB Downlink: 145.860 to 145.900 MHz CW/SSB Beacon: 145.860 MHz Robot: 145.908 MHz Launched: February 5, 1991 aboard a Russian Cosmos C launcher Status: RS-13 was re-activated in Mode-T on February 19, 2002. The latest information on RS-12 and RS-13 can be found on the AC5DK RS-12/13 Satellite Operators page at: http://www.qsl.net/ac5dk/rs1213/rs1213.html [ANS thanks Kevin Manzer, AC5DK, for this information] ===== RADIO SPORT RS-15 Uplink: 145.858 to 145.898 MHz CW/SSB Downlink: 29.354 to 29.394 MHz CW/SSB Beacon: 29.352 MHz (intermittent) SSB meeting frequency: 29.380 MHz (unofficial) Launched: December 26, 1994 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome Status: Semi-operational, mode-A, using a 2-meter uplink and a 10-meter downlink Dave, WB6LLO, has operating information for both RS-15 on his web site. In addition to satellite data, antenna information for mode-A operation is also featured. The WB6LLO web site URL is: http://home.san.rr.com/doguimont/uploads [ANS thanks Dave Guimont, WB6LLO, for this information] ===== OSCAR 10 AO-10 Uplink: 435.030 to 435.180 MHz CW/LSB Downlink: 145.975 to 145.825 MHz CW/USB Beacon: 145.810 MHz (unmodulated carrier) Launched: June 16, 1983 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French Guiana. Status: Semi-operational AO-10 has been locked into a Mode-B, 70-cm uplink and 2-meter downlink for several years. W4SM has more information about the satellite at the following URL: http://www.cstone.net/~w4sm/AO-10.html [ANS thanks Stacey Mills, W4SM, for his AO-10 status information and web site] ===== UO-14 Uplink: 145.975 MHz FM Downlink: 435.070 MHz FM Launched: January 22, 1990 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French Guiana. Status: Operational, mode J Tim, KG8OC, features UO-14 information on the Michigan AMSAT web site - point your web browser to the following URL: http://www.qsl.net/kg8oc Ray, W2RS, has revised the AO-27 FAQ on < www.amsat.org > to include information on UO-14. Upcoming DX: TF/VE7RKK from July 2-8, 2002 OX/VE7RKK from July 2-8, 2002 [ANS thanks Chris Jackson, G7UPN/ZL2TPO, for UO-14 information] ===== SO-41 SAUDISAT-1A Uplink: 145.850 MHz Downlink: 436.775 MHz Broadcast Callsign: SASAT1-11 BBS: SASAT1-12 Launched: September 26, 2000 aboard a converted Soviet ballistic missile from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Status: operational but very intermittant. One of two ham satellites from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia built by the Space Research Institute at the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology. The spacecraft is operating in Mode-J, currently configured as an analog FM voice repeater. The spacecraft will operate in this mode intermittently, as power and spacecraft experiments permit. SO-41's downlink RF power is 1-watt with left-hand circular polarization. The uplink antenna (located on top of the spacecraft) is linear in polarization. Further information is available at: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/sats/n7hpr/so41.html [ANS thanks Turki Al-Saud for this information] ===== JAS-1b FO-20 Uplink: 145.90 to 146.00 MHz CW/LSB Downlink: 435.80 to 435.90 MHz CW/USB Launched: February 07, 1990 by an H1 launcher from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan. Status: Operational. FO-20 is in mode JA continuously Tak, JA2PKI, reported FO-20 control station operators believe that the UVC (Under Voltage Controller) now is regulating the transponder. The controller monitors battery voltage and tries to protect the batteries from over discharge. [ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for the FO-20 status reports] ===== JAS-2 FO-29 Launched: August 17, 1996, by an H-2 launcher from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan. Status: Operational Voice/CW Mode JA Uplink: 145.90 to 146.00 MHz CW/LSB Downlink: 435.80 to 435.90 MHz CW/USB Digital Mode JD Uplink: 145.850 145.870 145.910 MHz FM Downlink: 435.910 MHz 1200-baud BPSK or 9600-baud FSK Callsign: 8J1JCS Digitalker: 435.910 MHz Last reported, the JARL FO-29 command station announced the operation schedule of FO-29 as mode JA through June 30, 2002. Mineo, JE9PEL, has a FO-29 satellite telemetry analysis program that will automatically analyze all digital telemetry from the satellite (such as current, voltage and temperature). The JE9PEL FO-29/shareware is available at the following URL: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/ [ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for the FO-29 status reports] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-173.S2 WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 2 AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 173.S2 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, JUNE 22, 2002 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-173.S2 SAPPHIRE NO-45 Downlink: 437.095 MHz 1200 baud AX-25 AFSK Uplink: 145.945 MHz UI Digipeater Launched: September 30, 2001 aboard an Athena-1 rocket from the Kodiak, Alaska launch complex. Status: Operational Student built Sapphire was launched through the U.S. Naval Academy Satellite program. Its primary missions are sensor experiments, a camera, and voice synthesizer. For more information, visit the Sapphire web site at: http://students.cec.wustl.edu/~sapphire/sapphire_overview.html [ANS thanks Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, for PCSat information] ===== PCSAT NO-44 Uplink/downlink: 145.827 MHz 1200 baud AX-25 AFSK via PCSAT-1 Aux/Uplink: 435.250 MHz 9600 baud via PCSAT-2 (off) APRS Downlink: 144.390 MHz (Region 2) Launched: September 30, 2001 aboard an Athena-1 rocket from the Kodiak, Alaska launch complex. Status: Operational WB4APR reports PCSat is back in full sunshine and is fully operational. PCSat should be quite usable for Field Day 2002. The satellite should have plenty of power to support GPS experiments and all users during this period. PCSat is a 1200-baud APRS digipeater designed for use by stations using hand-held or mobile transceivers. Downlinks feed a central web site < http://pcsat.aprs.org >. The APRS-equipped PCSat was built by midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy under the guidance of Bob Bruninga, WB4APR. A new version of PCSAT.EXE has been posted at: ftp://tapr.org/dosstuff/APRSdos/pcsat017.zip For more information, visit the PCSat web site at: http://web.usna.navy.mil/~bruninga/pcsat.html [ANS thanks Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, for PCSat information] ===== TIUNGSAT-1 MO-46 Uplink: 145.850 or 145.925 MHz 9600-baud FSK Downlink: 437.325 MHz Broadcast callsign: MYSAT3-11 BBS: MYSAT3-12 Launched: September 26, 2000 aboard a converted Soviet ballistic missile from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Status: Operational at 38k4-baud FSK TiungSat-1 is Malaysia's first micro-satellite and in addition to commercial land and weather imaging payloads offers FM and FSK Amateur Radio communication. TiungSat-1, named after the mynah bird of Malaysia, was developed as a collaborative effort between the Malaysian government and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. [ANS thanks Chris Jackson, G7UPN/ZL2TPO, for this information] ===== UOSAT UO-22 Uplink: 145.900 FM 9600-baud FSK Downlink: 435.120 MHz FM Broadcast Callsign: UOSAT5-11 BBS: UOSAT5-12 Launched: July 17, 1991 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French Guiana. Status: Operational Jim, AA7KC, reports UO-22 is operational with a downlink efficiency in the 75% range. Many Sat-gates are represented on the satellite. More information on the satellite is available at the following URL: http://www.sstl.co.uk/ [ANS thanks Chris Jackson, G7UPN/ZL2TPO, for UO-22 information and Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, for status information] ===== OSCAR-11 Downlink: 145.825 MHz FM (1200-baud AFSK) Mode-S Beacon: 2401.500 MHz Launched: March 1, 1984 by a Delta-Thor rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Status: Operational The mode-S beacon on 2401.5 MHz. has been heard by Christian F1AFZ, Michael OH2AUE, Jerry K5OE, and Bruce SM0TER/K3ZAQ. Christian reported good signals, and observed two carriers separated by 1200 Hz., ie the modulation frequency. Michael received signals during an overhead pass, using a simple feed horn. Jerry received the beacon on a 20 degree pass using a 60 cm dish with a K3TZ patch and TSI 3731 converter. Bruce received S2 - S4 signals on his two metre dish, without AZ-EL control and without Doppler correction on his receiver. 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 active Amateur Radio satellites. More information on OSCAR-11 is available at the following URL: http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/ [ANS thanks Clive Wallis, G3CWV, for OSCAR-11 status information] ===== PACSAT AO-16 Uplink: 145.90 145.92 145.94 145.96 MHz FM (using 1200-baud Manchester FSK) Downlink: 437.025 MHz SSB (RC-BPSK 1200-baud PSK) Mode-S Beacon: 2401.1428 MHz Broadcast Callsign: PACSAT-11 BBS: PACSAT-12 Launched: January 22, 1990 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French Guiana. Status: Semi-operational, the digipeater command is on. A WOD collection of current graphics along with general information and telemetry samples can be found at: www.telecable.es/personales/ea1bcu [ANS thanks Miguel Menendez, EA1BCU, for AO-16 status information] ===== ITAMSAT IO-26 Uplink: 145.875 145.900 145.925 145.950 MHz FM (1200-baud) Downlink: 435.822 MHz SSB Broadcast Callsign: ITMSAT-11 BBS: ITMSAT-12 Launched: September 26, 1993 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French Guiana. Status: Semi-operational, the digipeater function is on and open for APRS users. [ANS thanks ITAMSAT Project Manager Alberto E. Zagni, I2KBD, for IO-26 information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-173.S3 WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 3 AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 173.S3 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, JUNE 22, 2002 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-173.S3 THE FOLLOWING ARE IN ORBIT BUT ARE SEMI-OPERATIONAL AT THIS TIME: KITSAT KO-25 Uplink: 145.980 MHz FM (9600-baud FSK) Downlink: 436.500 MHz FM Broadcast Callsign: HL02-11 BBS: HL02-12 Launched: September 26, 1993 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French Guiana. Status: Semi-operational Jim, AA7KC, reports KO-25 signals have been absent for several days, returning to a weak downlink signal this past week. [ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, for this information] ===== LUSAT LO-19 Uplink: 145.84 145.86 145.88 145.90 MHz FM (using 1200-baud Manchester FSK) CW downlink: 437.125 MHz Digital downlink: 437.150 MHz SSB (RC-BPSK 1200-baud PSK) Broadcast Callsign: LUSAT-11 BBS: LUSAT-12 Launched: January 22, 1990 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French Guiana. Status: Beacon only. The CW beacon is sending eight telemetry channels and one status channel on 437.126 MHz. No BBS service is available. The digipeater is not active. General information and telemetry samples can be found at: www.telecable.es/personales/ea1bcu [ANS thanks Miguel Menendez, EA1BCU, for LO-19 status information] ===== TECHSAT-1B GO-32 Downlink: 435.225 MHz using HDLC telemetry Launched: July 10, 1998 by a Russian Zenit rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Status: Semi-operational. Last reported, the satellite does transmit a 9600-baud burst every 30 seconds (the GO-32 beacon sends one short telemetry status transmission of 44 bytes) and upon request the complete telemetry buffer. [ANS has no further information] ===== SEDSAT-1 SO-33 Downlink: 437.910 MHz FM (9600-baud FSK) Launched: October 24, 1998 by a Delta 2 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Status: Semi-operational. The satellite is not currently available for uplink transmissions and the image and transponder recovery efforts have been unsuccessful. SedSat-1 signifies Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (satellite number one). SedSat-1 has downlinked months worth of telemetry data on the performance of its electrical power system parameters. The Nickel Metal Hydride batteries on the spacecraft were experimental and experienced some abuse due to a power negative situation. This information has provided NASA with useful information. With the exception of the imaging system and the use of the transponders, SedSat-1 has been judged a success. For more information on SedSat-1 visit the satellite web site at the following URL: http://seds.uah.edu/projects/sedsat/sedsat.htm [ANS has no further information] THE FOLLOWING ARE IN ORBIT BUT ARE NON-OPERATIONAL AT THIS TIME: AMRAD AO-27 Uplink: 145.850 MHz FM Downlink: 436.795 MHz FM Launched: September 26, 1993 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French Guiana. Status: Non-operational, mode J. The latest information on AO-27 from control operator Michael Wyrick, N3UC (former N4USI), can be found at: www.ao27.org An AO-27 question-and-answer page is available on the AMSAT-NA web site, with updates by Ray, W2RS. The URL is: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/intro/ao27faq.html AO-27 uses a method called Timed Eclipse Power Regulation (TEPR) to regulate the on-board batteries. In simple terms, TEPR times how long the satellite has been in an eclipse (or in the sun) and decides what subsystems to turn on or off. The AO-27 pages on the AMSAT-NA web site include an explanation of TEPR AO-27 operations (at): http://www.amsat.org/amsat/sats/n7hpr/ao27.html On Saturday, March 30, 2002, the TEPR states on AO-27 were reset as follows: TEPR 4 - 50 TEPR 5 - 90 [ANS thanks AMRAD for AO-27 information] ===== KITSAT KO-23 Uplink: 145.900 MHz FM (9600-baud FSK) Downlink: 435.170 MHz FM Broadcast Callsign: HLO1-11 BBS: HLO1-12 Launched: August 10, 1992 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French Guiana. Status: Non-operational. Jim, AA7KC, reports that KO-23's downlink transmitter continues in a non-operational status. [ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, and KyungHee Kim, HL0ENJ, for KO-23 status information] ===== UoSAT-12 UO-36 Uplink: 145.960 MHz (9600-baud FSK) Downlink: 437.025 MHz 437.400 MHz Broadcast Callsign: UO121-11 BBS: UO121-12 Launched: April 21, 1999 by a Russian launcher from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Status: Unknown UO-36 carries a number of imaging payloads, digital store-and-forward communications and mode L/S transponders. Paul, KB2SHU, tells ANS that UO-36 has not been operational (over North America) since late July 2001. In addition, Sangat, 9M2SS, reports he has not copied UO-36 since July 30, 2001. The VK5HI viewer shareware for UO-36 is available on the AMSAT-NA web site at the following URL: ftp://ftp.amsat.org/amsat/software/win32/display/ccddsp97-119.zip Further information on UO-36 is available from: http://www.sstl.co.uk/ [ANS thanks Chris G7UPN/ZL2TPO, and the University of Surrey for UO-36 information] ===== TMSAT-1 TO-31 Uplink: 145.925 MHz (9600-baud FSK) Downlink: 436.925 MHz (9600-baud FSK) Broadcast Callsign: TMSAT1-11 BBS: TMSAT1-12 Launched: July 10, 1998 by a Zenit rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Status: Non-operational, no data downlinked since December 18, 2000. Chris G7UPN, (UoSAT operations manager) reports the following to ANS: The TO-31 downlink will be off over most areas, with the exception of Europe and Thailand. ProcMail V2.00G has been released by G7UPN. This software permits the processing of image files from TO-31. It has been posted to the AMSAT-NA FTP site at the following URL: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/software/win32/wisp Many of the high-resolution color images transmitted by TMSAT are compressed using a UoSAT compression format. This format is supported by the VK5HI CCD display program. [ANS thanks Chris Jackson, G7UPN/ZL2TPO, for TO-31 status information] ===== SO-42 SAUDISAT-1B Uplink: to be released Downlink: 436.075 MHz Broadcast Callsign: SASAT2-11 BBS: SASAT2-12 Launched: September 26, 2000 aboard a converted Soviet ballistic missile from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Status: Unknown, ANS has received no additional information. When/if operational, SaudiSat-1B will operate as 9600-baud digital store-and-forward systems as well analog FM repeater mode capability. One of two new ham satellites from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia built by the Space Research Institute at the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology. ===== PANSAT PO-34 Uplink/downlink frequency (listed on the PanSat web site) 436.500 MHz Launched: October 30, 1998 by the Shuttle Discovery. Status: Unknown The satellite is not available for general uplink transmissions. The Naval Postgraduate School developed PanSat. At the time of launch, PanSat spread-spectrum digital transponders were to be available to Amateur Radio operators along with software to utilize this technology. The satellite is still operating, however, the spread spectrum packet radio portion never took place. The spacecraft is now beyond it's initial 2-year mission life, but telemetry records are still being downloaded. For more information, visit the official PanSat web site at: http://www.sp.nps.navy.mil/pansat/ PanSat was the featured cover article on the July/August 1999 issue of the AMSAT-NA Journal (the story written by KD6DRA and N7HPR). [ANS has no further information] /EX