SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-066.01 SUNSAT RECEIVES OSCAR NUMBER HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 066.01 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, MARCH 07, 1999 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-066.01 Responding to a question from Keith Baker, KB1SF, President of AMSAT-NA, representatives of the SunSat team have now requested that an OSCAR number be assigned to help designate their new spacecraft. KB1SF also passed along congratulations from all AMSAT-NA members to the SunSat team on their outstanding success. The assignment of consecutive OSCAR numbers to new amateur radio spacecraft is a tradition that dates from the launch of the very first Amateur Radio Satellite -- OSCAR-1. In order for an OSCAR number to be assigned, the satellite must successfully achieve orbit and one or more transmitters must be successfully activated in the amateur radio bands. Then, the builders/owners of the satellite must formally request that a consecutive OSCAR number be assigned to their satellite once the first two requirements are accomplished. Speaking for the SunSat team, Professor Garth Milne, ZR1AFH, SunSat's Project Leader, said "the Amateur Radio services on SunSat are our thank you to the ham radio community for the legacy it has left for us all. We would thus be honored if SunSat could be recognized as an OSCAR satellite, and suggest the designation SunSat-OSCAR 35, abbreviated to SO-35 be used." In his formal request, Professor Milne went on to note that SunSat is South Africa's (and Africa's) first amateur radio and scientific satellite. The name SunSat closely associates the program with the University of Stellenbosch, at which it was developed. KB1SF has informed ANS that, in the light of this information, it is now appropriate to refer to the new amateur satellite as SunSat OSCAR-35 or simply SO-35. [ANS thanks Keith Baker, KB1SF, AMSAT-NA President, and Professor Garth Milne ZR1AFH, for this information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-066.02 AMSAT-NA CALL FOR PAPERS HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 066.02 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, MARCH 07, 1999 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-066.02 This is the first call to authors who wish to present papers at the 17th AMSAT-NA Annual Meeting and Space Symposium to be held October 8-11, 1999 at the Hanalei Hotel in San Diego, California. Symposium presentations will also be printed in the official Proceedings document. The subject matter should be topics of interest to the Amateur Radio satellite service. Key dates for submitting papers are as follows: May 1, 1999 - one page abstracts due June 1, 1999 - authors will be advised if accepted August 1, 1999 - camera ready copy of accepted papers due Abstracts should be sent to Symposium chair Duane Naugle, KO6BT, via email at: ko6bt@amsat.org (or) Duane Naugle, KO6BT 4111 Nemaha Drive San Diego, California USA 92117-4522 Proceedings of the Symposium will be printed by the ARRL and made available at --and immediately after-- the meeting. If authors do not wish to present a paper but have a topic of interest, please submit the topic and arrangements may be made for a stand-in presenter. Receipt of submissions will be confirmed. [ANS thanks Symposium chair Duane Naugle, KO6BT, for this information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-066.03 ANS IN BRIEF HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 066.03 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, MARCH 07, 1999 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-066.03 ANS news in brief this week includes the following: ** AMSAT Net of the week: Boston/Heavy Hitter AMSAT Net The net meets Thursdays on the 146.640 MHz Waltham Repeater. NCS is Ernie, K1ELA. The net is aimed at beginners with mostly analog satellites (such as Mir, the RS birds and AO-27) being discussed. A question and answer session usually ends the net. --ANS ** Quote of the week: "The amateur radio movement has made an enormous contribution to electronics throughout the world by preserving the spectrum for radio experimentation and by publishing a treasure trove of practical and readable technical information that is a benefit to all. Articles on previous OSCAR satellites have been a guide and inspiration for SunSat." --Garth Milne ZR1AFH ** The next AMSAT-DC meeting will take place at the Goddard Space Flight Center on March 13th, with the AMSAT 30th Anniversary dinner to follow. Tours of the Center will begin at 11:00 a.m., the meeting will start at 1:00 p.m., a WA3NAN Station tour is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. and the AMSAT Anniversary Dinner will follow. Speakers will include Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, Keith Baker, KB1SF, Bob Bruninga, WB4APR and Eric Rosenberg. Check the AMSAT web site for more details. --Steve, WD8QCN and Eric, W3DQ ** Russ Tillman, K5NRK, editor of The AMSAT Journal, reports the March/April issue will feature articles on the AMSAT-NA 30th anniversary, the IHU-2 on Phase 3D, Rosman antenna, US/Mir QSL card series, APRS and Outer Space and Mir Day at Seminary Hill School. The scheduled arrival of the issue should be the first week of April '99. --Russ, K5NRK ** Industrial strength Velcro will be used to hold the initial Amateur Radio gear in place aboard the gravity-free environment of the International Space Station. Since the Russian-built Service Module lacks rack space for amateur equipment, the ham gear will be attached to the wall using Velcro. The use of Velcro to keep tools and equipment in place has become widespread over the years on the space shuttles as well as aboard the Russian Mir space station. --ARRL ** This past week aboard the International Space Station, commands were received from ground controllers in Houston and Moscow demonstrating that commands could be sent to the Zarya control module through the Unity node's communications system from Russia's Mission Control Center. As system commanding continues, all other systems remain in excellent condition as engineers monitor the station's health through Russian ground stations and NASA's satellite tracking network. --NASA ** ESA astronaut Umberto Guidoni will become the first European to visit the International Space Station. Guidoni, an astrophysicist of Italian nationality, will fly on an upcoming Space Shuttle mission that will deliver up to 10 tons of equipment to the Space Station. --ESA ** Steve, K5PK, has made arrangements with AMSAT-NA to have one of his 11-1/2" wingspan P3D models on display at the AMSAT 30th anniversary celebration. Steve is now completing a clear set of assembly instructions and is looking at the possibly of using the kit as part of a fund raising campaign to benefit the Phase 3D program. --Steve, K5PK ** It's round two in Congress for the Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act. At the request of the ARRL, Rep. Michael Bilirakis introduced the 1999 version of the proposed legislation, HR 783, on February 23rd. The bill is aimed at ensuring the availability of spectrum to amateur radio operators. It would protect existing amateur radio spectrum against reallocations to or sharing with other services unless the FCC provides "equivalent replacement spectrum" elsewhere. Bilirakis, a Florida Republican, also sponsored last year's measure, which attracted upwards of 83 co-sponsors on both sides of the aisle. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., a New Jersey Democrat, is the initial co-sponsor of the 1999 bill. ARRL Legislative and Public Affairs Manager Steve Mansfield, N1MZA, says the 1999 bill "is largely the same as last year's HR 3572." The major difference is that the 1999 version adds 'Amateur Satellite Service' frequencies to 'Amateur Radio Service' in detailing the frequencies that would be afforded protection under the act. --ARRL ** NASA's Wide-Field Infrared Explorer (WIRE) satellite is in trouble just hours after arriving in space. Space agency officials say the telescopes protective cover somehow ejected shortly after launch and the spacecraft is in an uncontrolled 3-axis spin about 340 miles above Earth. The probe carries a thermos bottle-like cryostat with frozen hydrogen used to keep the telescope chilled for its observations. Because of high temperatures on the spinning craft, engineers believe the hydrogen supply started to sublimate into space faster than planned. That venting, in turn, caused the spinning. At this time, officials do not know how much hydrogen ice has been lost. WIRE carried a four-month supply of hydrogen for its mission. --Florida Today ** Twenty years ago Voyager 1 made its close flyby of Jupiter's moon IO. An image taken by the spacecraft on March 8, 1979, was subsequently analyzed and found to show a volcanic plume -- the first geologic activity to be witnessed on another world! --S&T ** Some doorstep astronomy -- the Big Dipper is easy to spot in the northeastern sky after dark at this time of year. It's standing on its handle. The top two stars of the Dipper's bowl are called the Pointers; they point lower left toward dim Polaris, the North Star, about three fist-widths at arm's length away. When you point your satellite antennas at Polaris, they are facing true north. --S&T, ANS /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-066.04 WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 1 HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 066.04 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, MARCH 07, 1999 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-066.04 MIR/SAFEX SAFEX II 70 cm Repeater Uplink 435.750 MHz FM w/subaudible tone 141.3 Hz Downlink 437.950 MHz FM Seldom-operational. No operation in 1999 has been observed. SAFEX II 70 cm QSO Mode Uplink 435.725 MHz FM w/subaudible tone 151.4 Hz Downlink 437.925 MHz FM Seldom-operational. No operation in 1999 has been observed. PMS Uplink/Downlink 145.985 MHz FM 1200 Baud AFSK Semi-operational due to SSTV transmissions. The PBBS is running a Kantronics KPC-9612 + V.8.1 TNC. The commands are similar to most PBBS and BBS systems. Mir SSTV reports have been received by VK2XCI, KB0VBZ, W2CID, G0SFJ and N2YAC. Scott, WA6LIE, has a set of instructions on how to work the Mir space station. Copies of the instructions are available from Scott by e-mail at wa6lie@juno.com, or by packet at wa6lie@wa6lie.#wcca.ca.usa.noam. [ANS thanks Scott Avery, WA6LIE, and the MIREX team for Mir status information] Radio Sport RS-12 Uplink 145.910 to 145.950 MHz CW/SSB Uplink 21.210 to 21.250 MHz CW/SSB Downlink 29.410 to 29.450 MHz CW/SSB Downlink 145.910 to 145.950 MHz CW/SSB Beacon 29.408 MHz Robot Uplink 21.129 MHz Downlink 29.454 MHz Last reported to be semi-operational, beacon only. Radio Sport RS-13 Uplink 21.260 MHz to 21.300 MHz CW/SSB Uplink 145.960 MHz to 146.000 MHz CW/SSB Downlink 29.460 MHz to 29.500 MHz CW/SSB Downlink 145.960 to 146.000 MHz CW/SSB Beacon 29.504 MHz Robot Uplink 21.140 MHz Downlink 29.458 MHz Operational. Last reported in mode KA with a 10-meter downlink and a 15-meter and 2-meter uplink. RS-12/13 command is now in the hands of Alex Papkov, in Kaluga City, Russia. Radio Sport RS-15 Uplink 145.858 to 145.898 MHz CW/SSB Downlink 29.354 to 29.394 MHz CW/SSB Beacon 29.352 MHz (intermittent) Semi-operational, mode A, using a 2-meter uplink and a 10-meter downlink. The 29.380 MHz 'meeting frequency' used by most RS-15 operators is showing good results. Dave, WB6LLO, reports he has prepared a "quick and dirty" set of operating instructions for RS-15 at the following URL: http://users.aol.com/dguimont OSCAR 10 AO-10 Uplink 435.030 to 435.180 MHz CW/LSB Downlink 145.975 to 145.825 MHz CW/USB Beacon 145.810 MHz (unmodulated carrier) Semi-operational, mode B. AO-10 is locked into a 70-cm uplink and a 2-meter downlink. W4SM reports AO-10 has entered another sleep period due to poor solar angle. W4SM has more information about the satellite at 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, mode J. The on/off states of AO-27 were re-set on Monday March 1, 1999 by Chuck, KM4NZ. The TEPR states on AO-27 are now as follows: TEPR 4 is 24 TEPR 5 is 60 This means that the transmitter will turn on 12 minutes after it enters the sun and shut off 18 minutes later. KM4NZ tells ANS that AO-27 "has exceeded it design life cycle and the control team is going to give it a physical to see how healthy it really is." AO-27 is seeing heavy usage, especially on weekends. [ANS thanks Michael Wyrick, N4USI, for AO-27 information] JAS-1b FO-20 Uplink 145.900 to 146.00 MHz CW/LSB Downlink 435.80 to 435.90 MHz CW/USB Operational. FO-20 is in mode JA continuously. [ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for the FO-20 status reports] JAS-2 FO-29 Voice/CW Mode JA Uplink 145.900 to 146.00 MHz CW/LSB Downlink 435.80 to 435.90 MHz CW/USB Semi-operational, rotated with digital mode and digi-talker. Digital Mode JD Uplink 145.850 145.870 145.910 MHz FM Downlink 435.910 MHz FM 9600 baud BPSK Digitalker operation 435.910 MHz Semi-operational, rotated with analog mode and digi-talker. The new operation schedule announced by JARL command is as follows: * through Mar 08 JA Mar 08 -- Mar 18 JD1200 Mar 19 -- Mar 23 Digitalker Mar 23 -- Mar 30 JA The JARL will update this schedule on March 30th. [ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for this report] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-066.05 WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 2 HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 066.05 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, MARCH 07, 1999 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-066.05 KITSAT KO-23 Uplink 145.900 MHz FM 9600 Baud FSK Downlink 435.175 MHz FM Not operational. The downlink transmitter has not been operational for any normal communication. ANS has learned (from the KO-23 ground command team) that satellite downlink telemetry shows one of KO-23's battery cells to be very unstable. The command team is analyzing the relationship between the battery life cycle and the downlink transmitter problem. Jim, AA7KC, reports that the 01:20 UTC 6-March pass of KO-23 showed good RF signal output for the entire pass. No data was received however. [ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, and KyungHee Kim, HL0ENJ, for KO-23 status information] KITSAT KO-25 Uplink 145.980 MHz FM 9600 Baud FSK Downlink 436.50 MHz FM Operational. KO-25 is absorbing the additional traffic (due to the loss of KO-23) and is performing well under heavy usage. [ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, for KO-25 status information] UO-22 Uplink 145.900 or 145.975 MHz FM 9600 Baud FSK Downlink 435.120 MHz FM Operational. Bill, VK3JT, reports UO-22 is operating normally when over VK-ZL land. Bill says "there seems to have been a bit more user traffic than normal, due perhaps to the loss of KO-23 at the moment." Signals are very strong and the satellite responds to as little as a 5 watt uplink signal when on the horizon. VK3JT tells ANS he has "always found UO-22 to be the best of the current batch of 9600 baud digital birds." More information on the satellite is available at the following URL: http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/EE/CSER/UOSAT/ [Chris Jackson, G7UPN /ZL2TPO, is the Operations Manager of UO-22] OSCAR-11 Downlink 145.825 MHz FM, 1200 Baud AFSK Beacon 2401.500 MHz Operational. Clive, G3CWV, reports that good signals have been received from the 145.826 MHz beacon. The ASCII bulletin is currently a static message, detailing modes and frequencies of the current amateur radio satellites with additional status blocks after each bulletin and between ASCII TLM and WOD. More information about OSCAR 11 can be found at the following URL: http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/ Beacon reception reports should be sent to g3cwv@amsat.org. [ANS thanks Clive Wallis, G3CWV, for this information] PACSAT AO-16 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. Telemetry is as follows: Time is Sat Mar 06 11:03:01 1999 uptime is 1630/05:25:10 +X (RX) Temp -3.632 D RX Temp -3.027 D Bat 1 Temp 4.234 D Bat 2 Temp 6.049 D Baseplt Temp 6.049 D +Z Array Temp -0.002 D RC PSK BP Temp 2.419 D RC PSK HPA Tmp 2.419 D +Y Array Temp 3.629 D PSK TX HPA Tmp 1.209 D Total Array C= 0.415 Bat Ch Cur=-0.040 Ifb= 0.037 I+10V= 0.360 TX:010C BCR:80 PWRC:59F BT: A WC:25 EDAC:F6 General information and telemetry WOD files can be found at: http://www.ctv.es/USERS/ea1bcu A complete collection of WOD graphics corresponding to the year of 1998 can be found at: http://www.ctv.es/USERS/ea1bcu/wod1998.zip [ANS thanks Miguel Menendez, EA1BCU, for this report] LUSAT LO-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 Currently semi-operational. No BBS service. The OBC (on board computer) reload is reported to be in progress, however, both EA1BCU (and ANS) have not received any updated information for several months. The digipeater is active. Telemetry is as follows: Time is Sat Mar 06 10:45:09 1999 uptime is 217/21:10:31 RC PSK TX Out 0.659 W Total Array C= 0.346 Bat Ch Cur= 0.135 Ifb= 0.007 I+10V= 0.157 TX:017 BCR:89 PWRC:62D BT:3C WC: 0 General information and telemetry samples can be found at: http://www.ctv.es/USERS/ea1bcu/lo19.htm [ANS thanks Miguel Menendez, EA1BCU, for this report] TMSAT-1 TO-31 Uplink 145.925 MHz 9600 baud FSK Downlink 436.925 MHz 9600 baud FSK Operational. ProcMail V2.00G has been released by G7UPN. This software permits the processing of image files from TO-31. ProcMail V2.00G is available for downloading on KO-23 and KO-25. It also has been posted to the AMSAT-NA FTP site at the following URL: www.amsat.org/amsat/software/win32/wisp [ANS thanks Chris Jackson, G7UPN /ZL2TPO, for this report] TechSat-1B GO-32 Downlink 435.325 435.225 MHz HDLC telemetry framed so a TNC in KISS mode will decode it Unknown status. ANS has not received any recent updates concerning the current status of GO-32 and no additional information is available at this time. The TechSat-1B micro-satellite was successfully launched from the Russian Baikonur Cosmodrome on July 10, 1998. The satellite does not have a continuos beacon, but does transmit a 9600-baud burst every 30 seconds (for a continuous 3 seconds in length), currently on 435.225 MHz. The TechSat team has also constructed a home page about TechSat. To view the site, point your web browser to: http://techsat.internet-zahav.net/ [ANS thanks Shlomo Menuhin, 4X1AS, for this information] SedSat-1 SO-33 Downlink 437.910 MHz FM 9600 Baud FSK The satellite is not currently available for uplink transmissions. Recovery efforts have been unsuccessful. The chances of SedSat-1 reaching full operational status is doubtful. SedSat-1, signifying Students for the Exploration and Development of Space Satellite number one, was successfully launched and placed in orbit on Saturday, October 24, 1998. Dennis, KD4ETA , reports SedSat is continuing to perform as it has since launch, transmitting telemetry until the batteries are depleted and then going into safe mode -- then repeating the process. Dennis reports the satellite downlink has been active for over four months of the stated minimum design life of six months. "It is just too bad we have problems with the receivers or we would have such a beautiful bird," said KD4ETA. Dennis further noted "in my opinion we can claim now at least partial victory for our satellite. Most of the engineering goals have been met, but it is just a total shame that the imaging system has not been able to fulfill its mission due to the probable loss of both receivers." For more information on SedSat-1, including Version 1.2 of the SedSat ground station software -- visit the satellite web site at the following URL: http://www.seds.org/sedsat [ANS thanks Dr. Mark Maier, KF4YGR, and Dennis Ray Wingo, KD4ETA, for this information] PanSat PO-34 Downlink frequency not established. The satellite is not currently available for uplink transmissions. PanSat, developed by the Naval Postgraduate School, was launched from the shuttle Discovery. PanSat spread-spectrum digital transponders will be available to amateur radio operators in the near future along with software to utilize this technology. The PO-34 command station is located in Monterey, California. Dan Sakoda, KD6DRA, PANSAT Project Manager recommends 'The ARRL Spread Spectrum Sourcebook' as a good place to start in understanding the spread-spectrum scheme. The PANSAT Team does not expect the satellite to be available to the Amateur Radio community for another few months. For more information, visit the official PANSAT web site at: http://www.sp.nps.navy.mil/pansat/ [ANS thanks Dan Sakoda, KD6DRA, for this information] SunSat SO-35 Downlink frequency not established. The satellite is not currently available for uplink transmissions. At this time the command team is planning general amateur radio service by the end of March. SunSat was launched February 23, 1999 aboard a Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. SunSat stands for Stellenbosch University Satellite and takes it name from the South African university whose students constructed the payload. The SunSat package includes 1200 and 9600 baud digital store-and-forward capability and a voice 'parrot' repeater system that will be used primarily for educational demonstrations. The satellite has two VHF and two UHF transmit-receive systems. Hans, ZS5AKV, reports Sun Sat has completed one week in space with good results. The command team has successfully tested the UHF command link and has started the de-tumbling process. The power system is also reported to be working well. Cliff, K7RR, has provided the following elements: SUNSAT 1 25636U 99008C 99061.56347005 -.00007770 00000-0 -21076-2 0 85 2 25636 96.4755 14.8137 0152125 230.7009 128.0570 14.40854701 1010 SunSat reception reports have been received from Rick, KB0VBZ. For more information on SunSat, visit the following URL: http://sunsat.ee.sun.ac.za [ANS thanks Garth Milne ZR1AFH, for this information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-066.06 WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 3 HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 066.06 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, MARCH 07, 1999 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-066.06 THE FOLLOWING SATELLITES ARE IN ORBIT BUT ARE NON-OPERATIONAL AT THIS TIME: RS-16 Attempts to command the mode A transponder 'on' have been unsuccessful to date. At this time the RS-16 transponder is non-operational. The 435 MHz beacon (only) is operational. No additional information is available at this time. DOVE DO-17 Downlink 145.825 MHz FM 1200 Baud AFSK Beacon 2401.220 MHz Non-operational. DOVE stopped transmitting in March 1998. The 145.825 MHz and 2401.220 MHz downlinks are off the air and the satellite has not responded to ground station control. QSL cards for receiving DOVE (when the satellite is operating) may be obtained from: Dianne White, N0IZO 45777 Rampart Road Parker, Colorado 80138-4316 USA No additional information is available at this time. WEBERSAT WO-18 Downlink 437.104 MHz SSB 1200 Baud PSK AX.25 Non-operational. WO-18 is reported to be in MBL mode after a software crash. No additional information is available at this time. ITAMSAT IO-26 Uplink 145.875 145.900 145.925 145.950 MHz FM 1200 Baud Downlink 435.822 MHz SSB Unknown status. ANS has not received any recent updates concerning the status of IO-26. No additional information is available at this time. --ANS END--- Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to ans-editor@amsat.org /EX