SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-151.01 BARRY GOLDWATER, K7UGA, SK HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 151.01 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, May 31, 1998 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-151.01 Former US Senator, onetime presidential candidate, and noted Radio Amateur Barry Goldwater, K7UGA, died May 29. He was 89. Goldwater had suffered a stroke in 1996 and had been in failing health. A staunch conservative, Goldwater was the 1964 Republican presidential nominee and served five terms in the US Senate. He also authored the book "Conscience of a Conservative". Goldwater retired from politics in 1986. His home was in Scottsdale, Arizona. Senator Goldwater was a longtime friend of AMSAT, having appeared in a number of ARRL and AMSAT-sponsored videos about satellites over the years. In the early stages of the Phase 3-D effort, he appeared with Roy Neal, K6DUE, in an AMSAT-sponsored fund-raising video for the project. The video was filmed in his well appointed "shack" at his home in Scottsdale. "I had the good fortune to be there with the Senator during the filming of portions of our video," said Keith Baker, KB1SF, AMSAT-NA's Executive Vice President. "He was genuinely enthusiastic about what the Phase-3D satellite would offer to the world's Radio Amateurs, and that enthusiasm really showed in his on-camera comments. There is no doubt in my mind that we have now lost one of our most ardent supporters of Amateur Radio, Phase 3-D and AMSAT", said Keith. Long time AMSAT-NA Board Member Tom Clark, W3IWI, when learning of the Senator's passing noted, "I remember Barry operating mobile from his Corvette while driving to work on the Washington Beltway! For me it was an honor to have met him and talked about his love for Amateur Radio and technology in general. 73, Barry -- you will be missed!" Goldwater's first wife, Peggy, died in 1986. The couple's two sons and two daughters and Goldwater's second wife, Susan, are among his survivors. [ANS thanks Keith Baker KB1SF, Tom Clark W3IWI and the ARRL Letter for the information that went into this bulletin item.] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-151.02 AMSAT AT THE DAYTON HAMVENTION HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 151.02 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, May 31, 1998 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-151.02 AMSAT enjoyed another successful Dayton Hamvention. Thanks to the efforts of over 20 booth volunteers and 10 forum presenters, AMSAT had a significant presence at the world's largest hamfest (over 25,000 attendees). In addition, due to the coordination efforts of N8NUY, the Friday evening AMSAT dinner at the Amber Rose Restaurant was enjoyed by those looking for a chance to unwind from a hectic day, a chance to meet with fellow satellite operators, and have some great food. To top it off "one of our own", AMSAT member Bob Bruninga, WB4APR also received the Hamvention Technical Excellence Award this year. The award was presented to him at the Saturday evening Hamvention banquet. AMSAT kicked off the forums early on Friday morning (0815) with a two hour session which included an "Introduction to Amateur Satellites" presentation by WD4ASW, followed by a discussion on Phase 3-D by W5DID, W3XO, KB1SF, and N3EUA. The session concluded with a SAREX and ARISS discussion by WA1STO and KC5BTL. The commercial exhibits opened at 1200 on Friday, and the AMSAT booth was soon humming with activity. AMSAT had available the dual band "Arrow Antenna" which has been very popular for working AO-27 with a HT. By Sunday morning all 35 antennas on hand were gone! In addition, a number of updated AMSAT publications along with the latest version of NOVA (on CD-ROM) went fast at the booth. AMSAT also offered the new "MacDoppler" satellite tracking software this year as well as Rick Fleeter's "Micro SpaceCraft" book. AMSAT's latest fashion offering was a yellow T-Shirt with embroidered AMSAT logo plus there were white golf shirts with pocket (and embroidered logo). Saturday was a full day of activities, with booth operations starting at 0800 and capably manned by our enthusiastic volunteers. There were computer displays of NOVA, WISP, Instant Trak, MacDoppler, and the APRS/MIR experiment (provided by Bob Bruninga, WB4APR). Terry Douds, WB8CKI, had the latest Phase 3-D Integration activities edited on video tape and on display for attendees to enjoy. AMSAT publicized the "Fly Your QSL" campaign for P-3D and a number of individuals left their QSL card (with donation to P-3D) with Martha. The final day of Hamvention started with the commercial exhibit area opening at 0800 followed by the second AMSAT forum which started at 0815 and lasted until 0945. The AMSAT forum, moderated by W5IU, included a Phase 3-D Brief Status Update by KB1SF and a presentation by Ed Krome, K9EK, entitled "Mode S and Above...Preparing to Use the Higher Bands on Phase 3-D." All in all, it was yet another banner year for AMSAT at Hamvention. Our thanks to the many volunteers who contributed to their time and energy towards making AMSAT's Hamvention activities a very successful one. [ANS thanks Barry Baines, WD4ASW, for the information that went into this bulletin item.] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-151.03 FLY YOUR QSL CARD CAMPAIGN CONTINUES HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 151.03 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, May 31, 1998 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-151.03 The 'Fly Your QSL Card on P3D' campaign continues. As ANS has been reporting, AMSAT-NA is 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 launched with it. AMSAT-NA Executive Vice President Keith Baker, KB1SF, encouraged all those who are thinking of participating to, "get their cards in to Martha at AMSAT Headquarters as soon as possible". Keith goes on to note that, "While the launch status of Phase 3-D is still uncertain, that status could become firm very quickly." "Such a development might force us to wrap up the QSL fund raising effort in a hurry in order to have time to cut and deliver the CD-ROM in time for launch, " he said. More information on the 'Fly Your QSL Card on P3D' is available at the AMSAT-NA web site, using the following URL: http://www.amsat.org. If you want to fly your QSL card on Phase 3D, send your QSL card along with a minimum donation of twenty-five dollars ($25 US) to: Fly Your QSL on Phase 3D, c/o AMSAT-NA 850 Sligo Avenue Suite 600 Silver Spring, MD 20910-4703 [AMSAT-NA thanks all those who have participated in this fund raising event] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-151.04 WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 1 HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 151.04 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, May 31, 1998 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-151.04 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. 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. All operations on R0MIR-1 are normal. The PBBS is running a Kantronics KPC-9612 + V.8.1 TNC. The commands a similar to most PBBS and BBS systems. Tony, VK5ZAI, reports during a recent QSO with Mir, Andy Thomas talked about the undocking of the old supply module and the fact that he has started preparing for his return trip home, packing around 30 bags! [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. John, K6YK, reports fair activity on both CW and SSB. The warbling signals appear to be caused only on 2 meter uplink signals, and is thought to be caused by a commercial transponder operating on the spacecraft. The 21 MHz uplink and beacon do not appear to be affected. RS-15 Uplink 145.858 to 145.898 MHz CW/SSB Downlink 29.354 to 29.394 MHz CW/SSB Semi-operational. John, K6YK, reports signals for the most part are weak, with SSB being unreadable at times. CW appears to be the most successful mode on RS-15. RS-16 The 435 MHz beacon (only) is operational. Recent attempts to command the Mode A transponder on have been unsuccessful. Transponder information for 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 at present. W4SM's best guess is that conditions will probably continue to get worse leading up to 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. The satellite is very active, both on weekday and 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. [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. All indications are that the satellite will remain in Mode JA for the foreseeable future. [ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for this report] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-151.05 WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 2 HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 151.05 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, May 31, 1998 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-151.05 KO-23 Uplink 145.900 MHz FM 9600 Baud FSK Downlink 435.175 MHz FM Operational. KO-25 Uplink 145.980 MHz FM 9600 Baud FSK Downlink 436.50 MHz FM Operational. John, KD2BD, reports that KO-25 has gone temporarily deaf. During a descending pass over the Atlantic the satellite PB queue was "empty" OSCAR-11 Downlink 145.825 MHz FM, 1200 Baud PSK Beacon 2401.500 MHz Operational. Beacon reception reports should be sent to: g3cwv@amsat.org. In response to many requests for information about methods of decoding OSCAR-11 signals, a package of hardware information has been added to the satellite web site. The site also contains some software for capturing data, decoding ASCII telemetry and WOD information. The URL is http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/ [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. Time is Fri May 15 23:03:55 1998 uptime is 1335/17:31:56 Bat 1= 1.244 V Bat 2= 1.253 V Bat 3= 1.249 V Bat 4= 1.264 V Bat 5= 1.242 V Bat 6= 1.259 V Bat 7= 1.253 V Bat 8= 1.276 V +10V Bus= 10.175 V Total Array C= 0.000 Bat Ch Cur=-0.261 Ifb= 0.253 I+10V= 0.029 TX:0109 BCR:1E PWRC:59E BT: A WC:25 EDAC:F7 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 still 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. 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. Time is Fri May 15 22:07:03 1998 uptime is 1060/08:01:53 Bat 1= 1.279 V Bat 2= 1.273 V Bat 3= 1.299 V Bat 4= 1.287 V Bat 5= 1.290 V Bat 6= 1.287 V Bat 7= 1.297 V Bat 8= 1.265 V +10V Bus= 10.200 V (*) 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 Semi-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 reports to ans-editor@amsat.org, or to ANS Editor, Dan James, NN0DJ, at nn0dj@amsat.org. /EX