SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-145.01 Dr. A. C. GEE, G2UK. SK HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 145.01 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, MAY 25, 1997 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-145.01 Dr. A. C. GEE. MRCS. LRCP. DPH. G2UK. SK It is with great sadness that we report the death of the former Chairman of AMSAT-UK. Dr. A C Gee died in a hospital at Lowestoft, Suffolk, England during the early hours of 19th May 1997 following complications arising from an earlier hip operation. He was 84. "Doc" Gee, as he was referred to by many friends, was an AMSAT-UK member from the formation of the Organization and became its Chairman in 1979. He resigned from that office in 1992 due to ill heath. Ron Broadbent G3AAJ notes that he was a friend for over thirty years, and certainly a considered "wise head" with whom he could discuss problems on most subjects. He was, up to three weeks prior to his death, operating through RS satellites. He will be remembered as the writer of the Satellite column in "Radio Communications" for several years. Broadbent says that Arthur Gee was also most interested in the new P3D satellite, and any information about that satellite he could get was received with great interest. His interests were far ranging even outside amateur radio. G2UK was a skilled model-maker of sailing ships, a Founding member and Commodore of the Lowestoft Cruising Club, Member of Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club, and a member of Waveney and Oulton Broad Yacht Clubs. Gee was also an amateur astronomer and member of Norwich Astronomical Society and editor of it's newsletter. He was also an enthusiastic steam-boat owner, one time radio operator/medic on an expedition to Orland Island off the coast of Sweden to record an eclipse of the Sun. His G2UK amateur radio callsign, dates back to 1935. During the mid 1930s, Arthur Gee was a member of the Royal Naval Wireless Auxiliary Reserve, which led to his life-long interest in amateur radio. He was a member of the London Wireless Club, now the RSGB the BARTG, RAYNET and ISWL. and Co-Director of Data Publications a now defunct Radio Constructor magazine. He was also a Medical Officer of Health to the old Suffolk Counties Hospital Area. G2UK was well liked and a respected citizen of Oulton Broad, where he had lived for over fifty years. He will be missed by his friends and neighbors as well as many members of the amateur radio fraternity worldwide. Dr. Gee is survived by his wife Marjory, son Richard, and daughter Marion. [ANS thanks Ron Broadbent. G3AAJ. AMSAT-UK for this sad news.] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-145.02 SUNSAT NEWS HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 145.02 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, MAY 25, 1997 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-145.02 AMSAT member Phil Chien KC4YER attended a recent press conference regarding the upcoming Delta 243 / Thor II launch. During the press conference, Phil asked about the status of the launch of the USAF ARGOS satellite. That launch is to feature two secondary payloads, the Danish Orsted, and the South African SunSat. SunSat includes amateur transponders and some pretty interesting experiments, Phil notes. He was told that a firm launch date in not yet set, but that it certainly would not be this year. The indication was the satellite wasn't ready yet, presumably the primary payload. Chien notes that the McDonnell Douglas Delta II and III manifest lists their civilian (e.g. NASA) and commercial launches. He believes that there are plans to put the manifest on their home page http://www.mdc.com/, but it wasn't up when he looked last week. The manifest indicates a 3rd Quarter 1998 launch for Deep Space 1, which Phil believes is the New Millenium launch which is to carry SedSat as a secondary payload. [ANS thanks Phil Chien KC4YER for this interesting information.] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-145.03 3C0DX, DXPEDITION POSTPONED HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 145.03 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, MAY 25, 1997 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-145.03 It has been regretfully announced that the Dxpedition to Annobon Island has had to be postponed until next October. It is reported that, at the last moment, Guinea's authorities turned down the group's intention to operate an amateur radio station, including satellite equipment, from the island as 3C0DX. Everything was reported ready, including materials, equipment, 13 operators, airline tickets, medical insurance, enough money for the big expedition. But, three days prior to departure, authorities refused to allow 11 of the 13 operators to go. The group plans to try again next October and hopes for better luck. [ANS thanks Julio, EA5XX for this information.] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-145.04 DL0ART/AM - 5TH LAUNCH HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 145.04 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, MAY 25, 1997 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-145.04 After quite a long break, the DL0ART says, "we did it again... the 5th launch of our balloon DL0ART/am was on 18-May-1997." The main feature of this flight was the transponder (mode B), which worked quite nice, and many hams took the chance to use it. More information about DL0ART/am (pictures!) can be found at: Internet: http://buene.muenster.de/darc/artob/homebale.htm Balloon launch 18-May-1997: Launch: # 5 Launch date: 18-May-1997 Launch time: 1214 UTC Launch site: Nienberge near Muenster, NW Germany, JO32SA .Those who heard the DL0ART/am signals, may send QSLs by mail, the Internet or through the QSL bureau. All will be answered by the DL0ART/am team. Any suggestion or response is always welcome! The DL0ART/am team hopes that all enjoyed this experiment, as well as the previous flights. The team regrets that they must terminate the project at this time. This is due to a substantial lack of manpower and financial resources for things like insurance, which runs DM 500, or 300 U.S. Dollars. [ANS thanks Oliver Welp, DL9QJ, N3NSF, for this news.] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-145.05 WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 1 HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 145.05 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, MAY 35, 1997 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-145.05 MIR: (Uplink 145.2 MHz FM Downlink 145.8 MHz FM) Note, the above split is used for both packet and voice operation. ANS has received information that states that all amateur activity from MIR has been suspended until further notice. SAFEX, MIR 70cm Repeater (Uplink 435.750 MHz FM, Downlink 437.950 MHz FM, Subaudible tone 141.3 Hz) ANS has received information that states that all amateur activity from MIR has been suspended until further notice. RS-10 (Uplink 145.865-145.905 MHz CW/SSB, Downlink 29.36-29.4 MHz CW/SSB) RS-10 is operational. RS-12 (Uplink 21.21-21.25 MHz CW/SSB, Downlink 29.41-29.45 MHz or 145.91-145.95 Mhz CW/SSB) Signals on RS-12 in North America during May and June (almost exclusively daylight passes) are weakened by increased ionospheric activity which is keeping 15m active during the daylight hours. This makes it especially important for the 'old timers' to warn the newcomers on RS-12 to set their uplink frequency and leave it alone to prevent sweeping across the 15m band and QRM-ing the terrestrial QSOs in progress [ANS thanks Dick Montgomery, N3DV, for this update.] RS-15 (Uplink 145.858-145.898 MHz CW/SSB, Downlink 29.354-29.394 MHz CW/SSB) Be aware that RS-15 has battery charging problems. When the satellite is in the dark it has low output power.. [ANS thanks Geoff Perry for this report.] (Hint: If SSB doesn't work for you, try CW. CW is very easy to hear on the downlink!) RS-16 RS-16's 70 cm, 435.504 Mhz beacon on RS-16 may not be operational. Jess Burmeister, KB0VUU, reports not hearing the 70 cm beacons during two passes of the bird on May 25th. RS16 had no beacons active on 10 meters ,2 meters . At this time the transponder is not operational. [ANS thanks Jim, KC7RCY, Jess, KB0VUU), Chuck, KI0AG, and Mike, N1JEZ.] FO-20 (Uplink 145.9-146.0 MHz CW/LSB, Downlink 435.8-435.9 MHz CW/USB) Operating normally. Strong downlink signal. Very busy during passes over North America. Please remember to adjust the higher frequency for doppler when the bird is in analog, JA, mode. This means adjust the 70 cm frequency, the downlink, for doppler shift. You do not have to adjust the 2 meter frequency, the uplink, for doppler.. KO-23 (Uplink 145.85, 145.9 MHz FM, Downlink 435.175 MHz FM, 9600 Baud FSK.) KO-23 operating normally. KO-25 (Uplink 145.980 MHz FM, Downlink 436.5 MHz FM, 9600 Baud FSK.) KO-25 operating normally. [ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, for his reports on KO-25 and KO-23.] AO-27 (Uplink 145.85 MHz FM, Downlink: 436.792 MHz FM (As of April 1, 1997) Operating normally. The satellite is very busy over North America, Gregg, N0ZHE, suggests that you should try QRP on AO-27. Gregg states that weeks days are the best for QRP operation because of the lighter traffic on the bird. N0ZHE operates with a home made arrow antenna and a alinco dual band ht. [ANS thanks Greg Wycoff, N0ZHE, for this information.] Current AO-27 schedule information can be found at www.umbra.com Tepr 4 = 32 counts 16 Minutes Tepr 5 = 66 counts 18 Minutes AO-27 Will turn on Every pass 16 Minutes after entering the sun and will stay on for 18 minutes. This corrects the early shut off that has been going on for the passed few weeks. [ANS thanks Michael Wyrick, N4USI, AO-27 Control-op, and Miguel A. Menendez, EA1BCU, for this update.] FO-29 Voice/CW (Uplink 145.9-146.0 MHz CW/LSB, Downlink 435.8-435.9 MHz CW/USB) Digital (Uplink 145.85, 145.87, 145.910 MHz FM, Downlink 435.910 MHz FM 9600 baud BPSK) Please remember to adjust the higher frequency for doppler when the bird is in analog, JA, mode. This means adjust the 70 cm frequency, the downlink, for doppler shift. You do not have to adjust the 2 meter frequency, the uplink, for doppler.. The latest FO-29 Schedule can be found at. http://www.kt.rim.or.jp/~jr1nvu/eindex.html 1997 May 23(Fri) 00:29z JD 1200bps PSK MailBox 30(Fri) 01:07z JD 9600bps FSK MailBox June 6(Fri) 08:25z JA 13(Fri) 00:39z JD 1200bps PSK MailBox 20(Fri) 09:41z JD 9600bps FSK MailBox 27(Fri) 00:11z JA July 4(Fri) 09:13z JD Digi-talker 8(Fri) 09:06z JA [ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for this report.] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-145.06 WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 2 HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 145.06 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, MAY 25, 1997 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-145.06 AO-10 (Uplink 435.030-435.18 MHz CW/LSB, Downlink 145.975-145.825 MHz CW/USB) AO-10, Stacey Mills reports that AO-10 will be in sleep mode for the few weeks. The transponder and beacon do not have enough power to operate.. [ANS thanks Stacey Mills, W4SM, for this report.] OSCAR-11 (Downlink 145.825 MHz. FM, 1200 Baud PSK. Beacon 2401.500 MHz..) Operating normally. Telemetry nominal. The battery voltage has recently improved to around 13.9 volts, and the internal temperatures have continued to fall, due to solar eclipses. The battery temperature is now 4 degrees C, or 18 degree below the full sunlight condition. 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) [ANS thanks Clive Wallis, G3CWV, for this information.] AMSAT-OSCAR-16 (PACSAT) (Uplink 145.9, 145.92, 145.94, 145.86 MHz FM, 1200 bps Manchester FSK Downlink 437.0513 MHz SSB, 1200 bps RC-BPSK 1200 Baud PSK. Beacon 2401.1428 Mhz.) Typical Telemetry Status of batteries voltage level: Load values upon going from a nocturnal orbit to an daylight orbit. State of the batteries in a nocturnal orbit. uptime is 979/17:37:48. Time is Sat May 24 23:02:19 1997 Bat 1 V 1.233V Bat 2 V 1.238V Bat 3 V 1.241V Bat 4 V 1.264V Bat 5 V 1.242V Bat 6 V 1.248V Bat 7 V 1.235V Bat 8 V 1.279V Array V 10.160V +5V Bus 4.781V +8.5V Bus 7.874V +10VBus 10.250V Total Array C= 0.000 Bat Ch Cur=-0.528 Ifb= 0.168 I+10V= 0.375 TX:010B BCR:1E PWRC:59E BT:3C WC:25 EDAC:82 State of the batteries in a daylight orbit. uptime is 979/17:42:48. Time is Sat May 24 23:07:19 1997 Bat 1 V 1.328V Bat 2 V 1.374V Bat 3 V 1.383V Bat 4 V 1.333V Bat 5 V 1.335V Bat 6 V 1.532V Bat 7 V 1.371V Bat 8 V 1.329V Array V 23.536V +5V Bus 4.937V +8.5VBus 9.126V +10VBus 11.075V BCR Set Point 113.349 C Total Array C= 0.243 Bat Ch Cur= 0.019 Ifb= 0.021 I+10V= 0.269 TX:010A BCR:76 PWRC:59E BT:3C WC:25 EDAC:82 [ANS thanks Miguel A. Menendez, EA1BCU, for this report.] DO-17(DOVE) ( Downlink 145.825 MHz FM, 1200 Baud AFSK. Beacon 2401.220 MHz.) WJ9F is continuing to work on reloading DOVE. [ANS thanks Jim white, WD0E, DO-17 Command Team, for this news.] WEBERSAT (WO-18) (Downlink 437.104 MHz SSB, 1200 Baud PSK AX.25.) Webersat (WO-18) is currently in MBL mode after a system crash. The satellite appears to be in good condition broadcasting MBL telemetry. [ANS thanks Tommy Davis, IK3WVJ, for this report.] LUSAT-OSCAR-19 (Uplink 1200 bps Manchester FSK Uplinks: 145.84, 145.86, 145.88, 145.9 MHz FM, Downlink 437.125 MHz SSB, 1200 bps RC-BPSK.) Typical Telemetry Status of battery voltage levels: Load values upon going from a nocturnal orbit to a daylight orbit. State of the batteries in a nocturnal orbit. uptime is 704/09:24:24. Time is Sat May 24 23:29:34 1997 Bat 1 V 1.297V Bat 2 V 1.282V Bat 3 V 1.302V Bat 4 V 1.296V Bat 5 V 1.294V Bat 6 V 1.293V Bat 7 V 1.297V Bat 8 V 1.279V ArrayV 10.409V +5V Bus 4.812V +8.5VB 7.859V +10VBu 10.275V BCR Set Point 29.271C Total Array C= 0.012 Bat Ch Cur=-0.349 Ifb= 0.115 I+10V= 0.244 TX:016 BCR:1E PWRC:36E BT:3C WC: 0 Graphic and general information about Telemetry values can be found at: http://www.arrakis.es/~ea1bcu/lo19.htm State of the batteries in a daylight orbit. Bat 1 V 1.377V Bat 2 V 1.385V Bat 3 V 1.408V Bat 4 V 1.380V Bat 5 V 1.405V Bat 6 V 1.444V Bat 7 V 1.392V Bat 8 V 1.388V ArrayV 23.378V +5V Bus 4.937V +8.5VB 8.852V +10VB 11.350V BCR Set Point 123.754C Total Array C= 0.397 Bat Ch Cur= 0.192 Ifb= 0.013 I+10V= 0.101 TX:016 BCR:7E PWRC:36E BT:3C WC: 0 [ANS thanks Miguel A. Menendez, EA1BCU, for this report.] IO-26 ( ITAMSAT) (Uplink 145.875, 145.9, 145.925, 145.95MHz FM, Downlink 435.822 MHz SSB, 1200 Baud PSK.) IO-26 controllers report that the spacecraft is now in IHT mode. The new ROBOT software is under currently undergoing tests. The beacon reports that the digipeater is OFF and that the ROBOT is undergoing tests. Controllers ask that groundstations please do not transmit on any of the satellite's uplink frequencies for the time being. [ANS thanks Daniele Piercarlo, IK2XRO, ITMSAT Command Station for this report.] [Please send your Satellite or News reports to ANS Editor B.J. Arts, WT0N, via e-mail, at bjarts@the-bridge.net or to wt0n@amsat.org] /EX