SB NEWS @ AMSAT $SPC1125 * SpaceNews 25-Nov-96 * BID: $SPC1125 ========= SpaceNews ========= MONDAY NOVEMBER 25, 1996 SpaceNews originates at KD2BD in Wall Township, New Jersey, USA. It is published every week and is made available for non-commercial use. * FAILURE OF AMSAT-OSCAR-13 * ============================= The AMSAT-OSCAR-13 satellite failed over the past weekend. The failure was due to a decaying orbit that brought perigee to very low altitudes. Prior to failure, telemetry showed increasing solar panel temperatures at perigee. Telemetry later showed that solar panels broke loose of the spacecraft, and finally, the satellite went silent. Several days before the failure of AMSAT-OSCAR-13, spacecraft controllers uploaded the following message that was carried on the beacon transmitter of the satellite: M QST de AO-13 *** BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT *** 1996 Nov 20 0240 EST My child, P3D, began "thinking" today when its IHU was activa- ted. I'm glad I lived long enough to learn of this wonderful event. I wish P3D a long, functional life. Do not grieve for me when I'm gone. I'm only metal, plastic, & sand. My "life" came from enriching the lives of those who built, commanded & utilized me, and it's been a good "life". Danke Karl, et al. No regrets. The baton will soon be passed. AO-13 signing off... AMSAT-OSCAR-13 will certainly be missed. We all look forward to the successful launch and commissioning of the Phase 3D satellite next year. * 70-CM BAND LOSS IN GUATEMALA * ================================ Manfred, TG9IKE, reports that all UHF and SHF bands will soon be lost to commercial interests in Guatemala. On Monday, November 18, 1996, the Diario de Centro America published the new law regulating all telecommunications in Guatemala, Decreto Numero 94-96, Congreso de la Republica. The law divides the electromagnetic spectrum into three areas: Bands assigned to amateur radio, bands reserved for goverment use, and the remainder as regulated bands whose frequencies will be auctioned off to the highest bidder, for a term of 15 years. Paragraph 66 contains the listing of the amateur bands to be used in Guatemala after January 18, 1997. All shortwave bands are preserved. The higher band assignments are as follows: 50-54 MHz, 144-148 MHz, 24-24.05 GHz, 47-47.2 GHz, 75.5-76 GHz, 142-144 GHz, and 248-250 GHz Up to now, the 70cm band in Guatemala, for which some licenses have been issued in the past, comprised the frequencies between 430 to 440 MHz. This range has now been declared available for commercial use. The new law was created by a commission from the state owned telcommunications company GUATEL, which consulted the Radio Club of Guatemala about the project. The commission was quite astonished to learn that ham operators operate some 20 satellites for global communications, and on request, Guatemalan hams supplied a list of amateur satellites with operating frequencies and modes. The existence of the Amateur Satellite Service was also brought to the attention of the CEO of GUATEL and the chairman of the committee of congress in charge of the compilation of the new telecommunications law in personal meetings, presenting related IARU and ITU documentation. Possible interference from satellite based transmitters in the 70cm band for commercial users in Guatemala may not be so severe, considering the low signal levels. However, there may be heavy interference to the Amateur Satellite Service when the transponders pick up commercial signals and rebroadcast them on other bands. Even for low orbiting satellites this will affect an area from southern Canada, all of the USA, Mexico, Central and South America down to Chile and Argentina. Taking into account the future operations of P3D, the situation may be even worse. While looking deeper into this matter, Guatemalan hams learned that the 70cm band is assigned for amateur use on a secondary basis. It remains uncertain whether the satellite subband from 436 to 438 MHz is an exclusive assignment or not, and whether the state of Guatemala has signed an ITU document concerning the use of bands for the Amateur Satellite Service. The new telecommunications law contains provisions for reassigning frequencies to the amateur service if required by international treaty, so there still remains a chance that at least the 70cm band can be saved if the hams of Guatemala can present a legal proof to their government. Any information regarding this matter should be directed to the Radio Club of Guatemala at the following address: CRAG (Club de Radio Aficionados de Guatemala) Apartado Postal 115 Ciudad de Guatemala GUATEMALA, Centro America Phone/Fax 00502-331 4683 AMSAT organizations are also asked to consider this matter and take whatever measures necessary to preserve the 70cm band for non-commercial, amateur use to avoid interference to OSCAR spacecraft. Any statements of concern about the effects of the new telecomunications law of Guatemala should be addressed via diplomatic conduct (Guatemalan Embassy in your country) to: Ing. Fritz Garcia-Gallont Ministro de Comunicaciones, Transportes y Obras Publicas [Info via Manfred Kolbe, TG9IKE, mkolbe@pronet.net.gt] * UoSAT-OSCAR-11 REPORT * ========================= Over the last month (17 October to 18 November) good, steady signals have been received from OSCAR-11 on 145.826 MHz. Once again there has been a small rise in the internal temperatures, which are now at the maximum values recorded in January. Telemetry values are nominal, although the battery voltage of around 13.8 is slightly below the levels recorded a few months ago. The 14 volt main bus current is steady at 635 milliamps. The WOD survey is unchanged. The WOD, channels 0, 10, 20, 30, solar array currents, dated 17-September, has been transmitted during the month. Two AMSAT bulletins by Richard G3RWL have been uploaded. Topics have included the recent AMSAT-NA conference, an AO-13 report, and information on the recent change in Mir operating frequencies. Bulletins always include the latest Keplers for OSCAR-11 in AMSAT format. 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) There are also additional status blocks after each bulletin is transmitted, and between ASCII TLM and WOD. The Mode-S beacon is ON, but telemetry indicates that it has partially failed. There have been two reports of it being heard weakly, since the failure. Any reports of reception on 2401 MHz would be most welcome. Please e-mail to Clive at: g3cwv@amsat.org. The 435.035 MHz beacon is normally OFF, but can sometimes be heard when the satellite is being commanded by ground control (within range of Guildford, UK). Likely times are between 1500 and 1800 UTC, Fridays or at weekends. When the 435 beacon is transmitting, the 145 beacon is normally OFF. The data transmitted is mainly BINARY. [Info via 73 Clive, G3CWV @ GB7ZPU, g3cwv@amsat.org] * 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 <<=- SpaceNews: The first amateur newsletter read in space! -=>> /EX