SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-123.01 TENTATIVE LAUNCH FOR TECHSAT-1B HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 123.01 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, May 3, 1998 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-123.01 Assi Friedman, 4X1KX/KK7KX, reports from Arizona State University that the TechSat team has confirmed a tentative launch date for the TechSat-1B amateur radio satellite. The Russian Space Agency, which is providing the ride into space, has currently set the launch window for June 23 - 24, 1998. TechSat-1B is a digital store-and-forward satellite using 9600 baud, frequency shift keying (FSK), much like UO-22, KO-23 or KO-25. TechSat-1B will feature VHF/L-band uplinks, with downlinks in the 70cm band. 4X1KX tells ANS a telemetry decoding program for the satellite will be available shortly. Stay tuned to ANS for more information regarding the upcoming launch of TechSat-1B. [ANS thanks Assi Friedman, 4X1KX/KK7KX, for this information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-123.02 SEDSAT-1 LAUNCH SET FOR OCTOBER 1998 HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 123.02 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, May 3, 1998 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-123.02 Dr. Mark W. Maier, University of Alabama, tells ANS the SEDSAT-1 amateur radio satellite is now scheduled for launch on a Delta II space vehicle sometime in October of this year. The exact launch date has not been confirmed. SEDSAT will fly as a secondary passenger along with the JPL Deep Space One mission. The launch was to have taken place in July, but was postponed to October because of delays associated with the primary payload. SEDSAT-1, which has been under construction at the Huntsville campus under the direction of Dennis Wingo, KD4ETA, is now complete and is in the final stages of testing. Chris Bond, KF4UGG, is the primary communications and software developer. SEDSAT-1 will carry a Mode-L digital transponder as well as a Mode A analog transponder. The planned orbit is 500 by 1000 km at 28.5 degrees inclination. Dr. Maier reports "the downlinks work beautifully in lab tests," and characterizes the satellite as "pretty mature." "All systems have been checked out in the lab," he said. Stay tuned to ANS for further developments on this new amateur radio satellite. [ANS thanks Dr. Mark W. Maier, Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Alabama/Huntsville, for this update] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-123.03 FLY YOUR QSL CARD ON P3D HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 123.03 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, May 3, 1998 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-123.03 Attention radio amateurs worldwide - this is your chance to really be a part of the Phase 3D satellite program by putting your QSL card into orbit! During May, AMSAT-NA will be collecting QSL cards, which will be scanned and converted into digital images. These images will then be saved onto a computer CD-ROM, which will be secured to the Phase 3D spacecraft and la unched with P3D. Your QSL card will get a ride into orbit right along with the Phase 3D satellite! This is a limited time offer and subject to any restrictions imposed by any (future) launch announcement or launch timetable. AMSAT-NA is suggesting cards be sent in as soon as possible. AMSAT-NA is suggesting a minimum donation of $25.00 (US). Proceeds from the 'Fly Your QSL on Phase 3D' campaign will be used in offsetting the overall P3D program costs. If you want to fly your QSL card on Phase 3D, send your card and donation to: Fly Your QSL on Phase 3D c/o AMSAT-NA 850 Sligo Avenue, Suite 600 Silver Spring, MD 20910-4703 USA Checks or money orders should be made out to 'AMSAT'. Please do not send cash. QSL cards will also be accepted at the AMSAT booth at the upcoming Dayton Hamvention. More information on the 'Fly Your QSL Card' program is available by calling the AMSAT-NA headquarters at (301) 589-6062. Details will also soon be available on the AMSAT-NA web site, point your browser to the following URL: http://www.amsat.org/ [ANS thanks Doug Quagliana, KA2UPW, for this information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-123.04 SECOND CALL FOR PAPERS HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 123.04 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, May 3, 1998 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-123.04 The AMSAT-NA Annual Meeting and Space Symposium will be held October 16-18, 1998, at the Park Inn International in Vicksburg, Mississippi. This is the second call to authors who wish to present papers at the Symposium. Papers will also be printed in the official Proceedings document. The subject matter of the papers should be topics of interest to the amateur radio satellite service. Key dates for and submitting papers are as follows: ** One page abstracts are due no later than June 1, 1998. ** Authors will be advised by e-mail or postal mail shortly after June 15, 1998 regarding whether their paper has been accepted or not accepted. Abstracts can be sent to: w5xx@magnolia.net (or) Malcolm Keown W5XX 14 Lake Circle Drive Vicksburg, Mississippi 39180 If you do send an abstract by e-mail, it is suggested a follow-up hard copy be sent via regular postal mail. Proceedings of the Symposium will be printed by the ARRL and made available during and after the meeting. Also, for authors who do not or can not present a paper, but have a topic of interest, arrangements can possibly be made for a guest presentation. Information regarding Vicksburg area attractions and details on arrangements for the 16th AMSAT-NA Annual Meeting and Space Symposium can be found at the following URL: http://pages.prodigy.com/DXHF93A [ANS thanks Eddie Pettis, N5JGK, for this information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-123.05 MIR SCHOOL DAY TEST RESULTS HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 123.05 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, May 3, 1998 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-123.05 Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, provided ANS with a summary of the April MIR School Day test. The purpose of the test was to allow schools and students an opportunity at successful packet exchanges with the Mir space station and to demonstrate the use of UI Digital Bulletins for communicating MIREX information to all monitoring stations. Other objectives were to demonstrate the use of Internet-linked ground stations to merge data into a common feed and to demonstrate the use of ground station generated GPS positions digipeated by the spacecraft in real time. The Mir TNC was not operational for the day of the announced test, but was operational for three early morning passes the following day. A total of 27 schools or other participating stations were successful during the day after test. All stations reported their position and status and there were several messages exchanged. Most stations reported receiving the Mir Bulletins and the Mir position packets. These results were (and are) posted on the MIREX web page, where you can also see the captured downlink files. This web page scored 1,300 hits during the event, and a total of over 2,800 hits since the experiment was announced in early April. The test is now over. Bob would like to thank the many schools and amateur radio operators that took part in the test. WB4APR also passes on a special thank you to the MIREX team and especially Dr. Dave Larsen, N6CO, for making this test possible. [ANS thanks Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, for this report] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-123.06 ANS IN BRIEF HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 123.06 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, May 3, 1998 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-123.06 ** Richard Limebear, G3RWL, has a document intended for first-time visitors thinking of coming to AMSAT-UK's Colloquium at the end of July. It tells them what to expect. E-mail Richard at g3rwl@amsat.org for a copy. - AMSAT-NA BB ** More reports of stations receiving RS-17 QSL's. The latest include I4XQG and NOSRR. Chris Midden has translated the message contained on the RS-17 QSL -- 'to certify that he/she received the signal from RS 17 placed on orbit to commemorate the launch of satellite Sputnik 1 and the beginning of the space era. The certificate contains two identical texts in both French and Russian. - AMSAT-NA BB ** Russ Tillman, K5NRK, reports there is a 10-page article entitled 'Six Months on Mir' by Shannon Lucid in the May issue of The Scientific American. The article describes her preparations and mission on Mir. She also mentions that she kept in contact with her family via a "ham radio packet system." - AMSAT-NA BB ** Keith, KB1SF, suggests those who have expressed a desire to attend the AMSAT dinner at the Dayton Hamvention should (quickly) contact Ed Collins, N8NUY, with your name, call and number of people in your party. Ed is available via e-mail at edcollins@att.worldnet.net. Once you have registered with Ed online, re-confirm that reservation with him at the AMSAT booth at the Hamvention. - AMSAT BB /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-123.07 WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 1 HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 123.07 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, May 3, 1998 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-123.07 MIR/SAFEX SAFEX II 70 cm Repeater Uplink 435.750 MHz FM w/subaudible tone 141.3 Hz Downlink 437.950 MHz FM Semi-operational. NN0DJ observed Andy Thomas using the repeater for personal traffic on Sunday, May 3rd. Signals were excellent during the two US passes. NN0DJ did not interrupt the QSO's in progress. SAFEX II 70 cm QSO Mode Uplink 435.725 MHz FM w/subaudible tone 151.4 Hz Downlink 437.925 MHz FM Semi-operational. PMS Uplink/Downlink 145.985 MHz FM 1200 Baud AFSK Operational. The modem is a Kantronics KPC-9612 Plus, Revision 8.1. Stations are asked to not try digipeating through Mir while other users are connected to the R0MIR-1 mailbox. Stations may also have noticed that they can't send messages to other hams via the Mir PBBS. This is because the mailbox is a personal mailbox and is intended for the use of the crew. Please do not make 'blind' calls on voice (FM) for Andy Thomas using the 145.985 MHz frequency. Doing so kills the ability for the Mir TNC to decode users on packet. If Andy or any of the other crewmember are active on FM, they will call CQ and be happy to chat with anyone who answers. [ANS thanks Scott Avery, WA6LIE, and the MIREX team for Mir status information] RS-12 Uplink 145.910 to 145.950 MHz CW/SSB Downlink 29.410 to 29.450 MHz CW/SSB Operational, mode KA. Al, WC9C, reports the 15 meter Robot is apparently not responding. RS-15 Uplink 145.858 to 145.898 MHz CW/SSB Downlink 29.354 to 29.394 MHz CW/SSB Semi-operational. Martin, DH4NWG, reports RS-15 seems to be better lately. Within the last few weeks Martin has completed several European SSB contacts with reports between 5X6 and 5X8, all with QSB. RS-16 Beacons (only) are operational. The 29 MHz beacon has not been operational for some time. Recent attempts to command the Mode A transponder on have been unsuccessful. Transponder information on RS-16. Uplink = 145.915 - 145.948 MHz Downlink = 29.415 - 29.448 MHz Beacons = 29.408 and 29.451 MHz Pwr 29 MHz Down = 1.2W /4W Beacon 1 = 435.504 MHz Beacon 2 = 435.548 MHz Pwr 435 MHz Beacons = 1.6W AO-10 Uplink 435.030 to 435.180 MHz CW/LSB Downlink 145.975 to 145.825 MHz CW/USB Semi-operational. Stacey Mills, W4SM, reports solar illumination on AO-10 appears to be way down and the satellite is nearly "comatose." W4SM can hear the beacon (with FMing) and can hear his downlink as well, but the signals are very, very weak. Things will probably continue to get worse during May and probably will not be any better by Field Day. However, the satellite should improve again later in the summer and peak in August. W4SM has more information about the satellite on his AO-10 web page, using 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] AO-27 Uplink 145.850 MHz FM Downlink 436.792 MHz FM Operational. Widely used especially during weekend passes. [ANS thanks Michael Wyrick, N4USI, AO-27 Control-op for this update] FO-20 Uplink 145.900 to 146.00 MHz CW/LSB Downlink 435.80 to 435.90 MHz CW/USB Operational. FO-20 in mode JA continuously. Mike, N1JEZ, reports working GB1IMD, one of the Marconi Special Event Stations via FO-20. Robert, G8ATE was operating at the time. [ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK for his FO-20 status reports] FO-29 Voice/CW Mode JA Uplink 145.900 to 146.00 MHz CW/LSB Downlink 435.80 to 435.90 MHz CW/USB Operational. Digital Mode JD Uplink 145.850 145.870 145.910 MHz FM Downlink 435.910 MHz FM 9600 baud BPSK Not operational, the satellite is in JA (voice) mode. Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, tells ANS that FO-29 was switched into mode JA because of 2 bit errors detected in the digital operation of the on-board-computer. Resetting and reloading software into the OBC will resume. FO-29 will stay in mode JA until a further notice. An updated status announcement is expected soon. [ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for this report] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-123.08 WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 2 HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 123.08 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, May 3, 1998 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-123.08 KO-23 Uplink 145.900 MHz FM 9600 Baud FSK Downlink 435.175 MHz FM Operational. Jim, AA7KC, reports the satellite is operating normally. [ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC for this report] KO-25 Uplink 145.980 MHz FM 9600 Baud FSK Downlink 436.50 MHz FM Operational. Jim, AA7KC, reports the satellite is operating normally. [ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, for this report] OSCAR-11 Downlink 145.825 MHz FM, 1200 Baud PSK Beacon 2401.500 MHz Operational. Excellent signals have once again been received from the 145.826 MHz beacon. The 435.025 MHz beacon is normally off. However it can sometimes be heard when the satellite is being commanded by ground control. The data transmitted is mainly binary. The mode-S beacon is on, transmitting an unmodulated carrier, but telemetry indicates that it has partially failed, delivering half output power. Beacon reception reports should be sent to: g3cwv@amsat.org. [ANS thanks Clive Wallis, G3CWV, for this information] AMSAT-OSCAR-16 (PACSAT) Uplink 145.90 145.92 145.94 145.86 MHz FM 1200 bps Manchester FSK Downlink 437.0513 MHz SSB, 1200 bps RC-BPSK 1200 Baud PSK Beacon 2401.1428 MHz Operating normally. The telemetry is nominal. The S band transmitter is off. General information and telemetry WOD files can find it in: http://www.arrakis.es/~ea1bcu/wod.htm [ANS thanks Miguel Menendez, EA1BCU, for this report] DO-17 (DOVE) Downlink 145.825 MHz FM 1200 Baud AFSK Beacon 2401.220 MHz Currently non-operational. The 145.825 MHz and 2401.220 MHz downlinks are off the air. Command stations are working on the problem. [ANS thanks Jim White, WD0E, for this update] WEBERSAT (WO-18) Downlink 437.104 MHz SSB 1200 Baud PSK AX.25 Currently non-operational. WO-18 is in MBL mode after a software crash. Attempts are being made to find and correct the cause of the suspected seasonal crashes. Additional information is not available at this time. [ANS thanks the WO-18 Command Team for this news] LUSAT-OSCAR-19 Uplink 145.84 145.86 145.88 145.90 MHz FM 1200 bps Manchester FSK Downlink 437.125 MHz SSB 1200 bps RC-BPSK Operating normally. The telemetry is nominal. General information and telemetry samples can be found at: http://www.arrakis.es/~ea1bcu/lo19.htm [ANS thanks Miguel Menendez, EA1BCU, for this report] UO-22 Uplink 145.900 or 145.975 MHz FM 9600 Baud FSK Downlink 435.120 MHz FM Operational. The satellite is operating normally. [ANS thanks Chris Jackson, G7UPN/ZL2TPO, Operations Manager of UO-22, for this report] IO-26 (ITAMSAT) Uplink 145.875 145.900 145.925 145.950 MHz FM 1200 Baud PSK Downlink 435.822 MHz SSB Operational. Telemetry is being downloaded on 435.822 MHz at 1200 baud PSK. [ANS thanks Alberto Zagni, I2KBD, ITAMSAT Mission Director for this information] Please send any amateur satellite news or repots to ans-editor@amsat.org, or to ANS Editor, Dan James, NN0DJ, at nn0dj@amsat.org. /EX