Satgen97     Mir and RM-1         4th Feb 91 by GM4IHJ

Just as the Mir manual was ready for publication, U2MIR has started to
really liven up the packet scene . He is operating simplex on 145.55 MHz ,
answering to ' c U2MIR ' for conversation, and to ' c U2MIR-1 ' for entry
of messages into his PMS Personal Message System. So I have had to hastily
amend the 4 pages about AREM and packet. I am now just off to collect the
manual from the printers, if the snow keeps away.

Viewed from Scotland Musa Manarov's packet tests from the 23rd of Jan
onwards ,were relatively peaceful , as he tested access on several
frequencies. Then on 2nd Feb he settled on 145.55MHz and I got good copy
on several orbits . By Sunday 3rd Feb however, everyone in GM seemed to be
after him and 145.55 became totally wiped out by a seething mass of mixed
up and totally unreadable FM signals, from what sounded like a hundred or
more stations at a time. All losing out because of FM Capture whereby only
a signal stronger than the SUM OF ALL THE REST can hope to break through
to Mir and capture the channel.

Clearly FM Capture ( described in Satgen95 , see below ), is going to
require us to use special techniques and calling procedures. G3IOR has
already been in touch with Boris UW3AX ( Boris is U2MIR's Amateur Radio
consultant at the Kaliningrad Flight Control Centre and he is also Editor
of the Russian equivalent of RadCom), so some suggestions have been passed
to Mir. In addition Boris wants a copy of the Mir manual , so I have
agreed with G3IOR that when I send the manual I will put in some extra
notes about ways to avoid this FM Capture crash situation.

RM-1 has sent telemetry on a couple of days but there is likely to be a
pause before a regular schedule of RUDAK and Mode B analog emerges. Leo
UA3CR has said he wants lots of packet, but I will be trying to persuade
him to give some time to Mode B , noting that ordinary satellite users are
far more interested in that than they are in packet - As the comments on
my Satgen96 questions have told me very clearly this week. So far I have
yet to have a comment favourable to packet sats , all comments received so
far clearly and sometimes forcefully state a firm preference for Mode B
analog.

Lost bulletins. It looks as if Satgen95 failed to get to or through North
Yorks. Please be aware that though I cannot correct the vagaries of the
network , I can supply individual back copies of any satgens you miss.
Simply send details to GM4IHJ @ GB7SAN. Of course I cannot send large
numbers by packet but if you want to complete a satgen file you can send
me QTHr a formatted DD DS 3.5 inch disk 720Kb with suitable packing and
postage for return and I will put Satgens 1 to latest issue on your disk
and return it to you.  73 de John GM4IHJ @ GB7SAN