SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-094.01 SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 094.01 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, APRIL 04, 1999 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-094.01 The Society of Performers, Artists, Athletes and Celebrities for Space Exploration, Inc. (SPAACSE) has announced a competition for the first George R. Faenza Scholarship for graduating American high school seniors. SPAACSE hopes this will become an annual award. SPAACSE is a not-for-profit organization formed to foster public education projects to bring a heightened awareness to and support for space exploration, through the national and international academic, scientific, artistic, athletic, political and celebrity communities. The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of an essay that best describes 'Why the United States Needs a Space Program'. Along with the essay, three letters of recommendation and a synopsis outlining how the applicant has contributed to space education at the school, community, state or national level - should be included. In addition to the $1,000 scholarship award, the winner will be offered an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. to participate in this year's ongoing effort to educate Congressional leaders about the importance of continuing the United States space exploration effort. The application deadline is April 12th, 1999, with the winner to be announced by May 3, 1999. For more information, applicants should contact the SPAACSE office at the following address: SPAACSE George R. Faenza Scholarship Fund P.O. Box 4559 Grand Central Station New York, New York 10163 (718) 369-3621 or (407) 868-2083 E-mail: info@stars4space.org [ANS thanks SPAACSE and Donna McAllister for this information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-094.02 EARLY SUCCESS WITH HAARP TESTS HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 094.02 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, APRIL 04, 1999 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-094.02 The ARRL is reporting an experiment conducted earlier this month by the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) facility in Gakona, Alaska has yielded some encouraging results. During the March experiment, HAARP (using very high power transmitters) attempted to generate what are called 'field-aligned irregularities' in the F-region over the HAARP facility. Participants, under the direction of principal investigator Ed Cole, AL7EB, then attempted to establish communication by scattering VHF amateur radio signals off of the generated irregularities. The amateur radio test was conducted at 144.100 MHz. HAARP's Ed Kennedy, K3NS, said signal source KL7X ran 1,000 watts into a 28-dBi EME antenna during the test. "Using KL7X as the source, two stations, WL7BQM and AL7EB were able to detect the scattered signal off of the field aligned irregularities generated in the F-layer over HAARP," said K3NS. Mike, WL7BQM, is an active satellite operator. "The scattered signals had an interesting Doppler characteristic and were on the order of 20-30 dB above the detectable threshold for the equipment used by the receiving stations," Kennedy said. "For comparison, I don't think they were nearly as strong as the signals that scatter off of the naturally occurring aurora." A complete record of the test was completed and participating stations are now busy working on analyzing the results with help from WL7BQM and FFTDSP software developer AF9Y. [ANS thanks the ARRL for this information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-094.03 ANS IN BRIEF HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 094.03 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, APRIL 04, 1999 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-094.03 ANS news in brief this week includes the following: ** AMSAT Net of the week: Southeast Michigan AMSAT Net The net meets every Tuesday on the 145.330, 224.580, 442.800 and 1282.050 MHz. Net control stations include James, KD4DLA, and Mike, N8MR. A web page dedicated to supporting the net with further information (and links) is available at the following URL: http://www.provide.net/~jsmyth. -ANS ** The AMSAT question of the day: Is InstantTrack V1.00b Y2K compliant? AMSAT's KB5MU provides the answer - "No, but a new version will be out in plenty of time. This question and many others about InstantTrack are answered in the InstantTrack FAQ on the AMSAT web site." (http://www.amsat.org/amsat/intro/itfaq.html). -ANS ** Steve, K5PK, tells ANS the 1/20 scale, full color P3D kit is enjoying very good response. Available exclusively through AMSAT-NA for a suggested donation, money generated from any donation is directed into the P3D satellite fund. Paul, KB5MU, reports that "if you build one of the new Phase 3D paper models, take a picture of it and send it in" - he will post them on the AMSAT-NA web site. For details see the P3D model announcement on the web site at the following URL: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/fun/model_photos/. ANS thanks K5PK and KB5MU ** K5NRK, N3KHK, W3FUO, K8YMI and WA1QXR are the latest to signup for the annual Dayton AMSAT dinner at the Amber Rose Restaurant on May 14th. If you would like to attend, contact Gerd, WB8IFM via e-mail at wb8ifm@amsat.org. -AMSAT-BB ** The ion propulsion engine aboard NASA's Deep Space 1 was turned on recently to send the probe toward an asteroid rendezvous this summer. Periodic firings will occur through April 26th. DS-1 was launched last October to serve as a technology test bed for the next generation of spacecraft. -Justin Ray/Florida Today ** The European Space Agency recently signed a contract with Matra Marconi Space (MMS), that pioneers a more flexible way of building space science missions. The main contract calls for MMS to design and build the Mars Express spacecraft in time for a launch in June 2003. Mars Express will allow space scientists to investigate whether there is, or ever was, life on the red planet. -ESA ** Some doorstep astronomy from ANS. Mercury is just above the east horizon during bright dawn. Scan for it with binoculars about 30 or 35 minutes before sunrise. Venus is the brilliant evening star in the west during and after dusk. -SKY & TELESCOPE ** Officials report they have acquired the signal from Insat-2E following its successful launch aboard an Ariane 4 rocket. Insat-2E will now perform two firings of its apogee boost engine. The burns are needed to raise the satellite's orbit from its current egg-shaped geosynchronous transfer orbit to the final circular geostationary orbit. Insat-2E is expected to enter service in early May. The next Ariane launch is scheduled for April 28th when an Ariane 44P rocket will carry the New Skies K-TV communications satellite into space. The next Ariane 5 launch, the first full commercial flight for the new rocket, is slated for a mid-June flight. -Justin Ray/Florida Today /EX ANS would like to thank Mike Seguin, N1JEZ, for helping AMSAT-NA provide current satellite information for ANS. SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-094.04 WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 1 HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 094.04 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, APRIL 04, 1999 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-094.04 MIR The Mir core module was launched February 19, 1986. The Associated Press is again reporting that several private investors have agreed to keep the aging Mir space station in orbit after government money for the 13-year-old station runs out in August. 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. The PBBS is running a Kantronics KPC-9612 + V.8.1 TNC. The commands are similar to most PBBS and BBS systems. AMSAT-France announced that Air Force General Jean-Pierre Haignere has been given a personal amateur radio callsign to use aboard Mir - FX0STB. The QSL manager for FX0STB is: Radio Club F5KAM QSL manager MIR 22 rue Bansac 63000 Clermont Ferrand France 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) wa6lie@wa6lie.#wcca.ca.usa.noam Ken, N1WED, tells ANS that pending course correction maneuvers, Mir will pass a space milestone of seventy-five thousand orbits on or about 5-April-99. [ANS thanks Scott Avery, WA6LIE, and the MIREX team for Mir status information] RADIO SPORT RS-12 Uplink 21.210 to 21.250 MHz CW/SSB Uplink 145.910 to 145.950 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 Robot Downlink 29.454 MHz Last reported to be semi-operational, beacon only. RADIO SPORT RS-13 Uplink 21.260 to 21.300 MHz CW/SSB Uplink 145.960 to 146.000 MHz CW/SSB Downlink 29.460 to 29.500 MHz CW/SSB Downlink 145.960 to 146.000 MHz CW/SSB Beacon 29.504 MHz Robot Uplink 21.140 MHz Robot Downlink 29.458 MHz Operational. Last reported in mode KA with a 10-meter downlink and a 15-meter and 2-meter uplink. John, K2JF, has been active on RS-13. Garie, K8KFJ, reports working KE4UMW on CW and W8TRX on SSB, both with good signals. Several stations have been active on RS-13 SSTV. To receive SSTV via satellite, a cable connected from the audio output of the receiver to the audio input of a computer sound card and a software program is all that is needed. Check the following URL for a selection of SSTV software: http://www.ultranet.com/~sstv/ 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 SSB '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/sat.txt 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 has been locked into a 70-cm uplink and a 2-meter downlink for several years. AO-10 continues to slowly emerge from its latest sleep phase. Jeff, K7XQ, tells ANS he made a quick contact with KW9M. Jeff reports hearing himself on the downlink with S-7 signals. "There is still some deep fades but it is getting more consistent," reports K7XQ. 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] AMRAD AO-27 Uplink 145.850 MHz FM Downlink 436.795 MHz FM Operational, mode J. The on/off states of AO-27 were re-set on March 1, 1999 by Chuck, KM4NZ. The TEPR (Timed Eclipse Power Regulation) 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 sunlight and shuts off 18 minutes later. The TEPR states of AO-27 are beginning to slip slightly as evidenced by the satellite shutting off slightly early. AO-27 is seeing heavy usage, especially on weekends. AMSAT Area Coordinator Bob DeVarney, WE1U, who was scheduled to operate W1AW from ARRL Headquarters via AO-27 informed ANS he had to cancel his planned operation. He may re-schedule W1AW satellite operation for sometime this summer. [ANS thanks Michael Wyrick, N4USI, for AO-27 information] JAS-1b FO-20 Uplink 145.900 to 146.000 MHz CW/LSB Downlink 435.800 to 435.900 MHz CW/USB Operational. FO-20 is in mode JA continuously. Recent SSTV activity on FO-20 has included AB2CJ, AC4VM and M1BTR. Activity has been centered on 435.880 MHz. [ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for the FO-20 status reports] JAS-2 FO-29 Voice/CW Mode JA Uplink 145.900 to 146.000 MHz CW/LSB Downlink 435.800 to 435.900 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 435.910 MHz Semi-operational, rotated with analog mode and digi-talker. Mike, KF4FDJ, tells N1JEZ that he noticed several polarity shifts during a recent FO-29 pass. Kazu, JJ1WTK, reported to ANS that the new operational schedule announced by the JARL is as follows: March 29 - April 5 JA April 5 - April 12 JD1200 April 12 - April 27 JA April 27 - May 6 Digitalker (with new message planned) [ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for the FO-29 status reports] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-094.05 WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 2 HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 094.05 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, APRIL 04, 1999 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-094.05 KITSAT KO-25 Uplink 145.980 MHz FM 9600 Baud FSK Downlink 436.500 MHz FM Operational. KO-25 is absorbing the additional traffic (due to the loss of KO-23) and is performing well under heavy usage with good downlink efficiency. [ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, for KO-25 status information] UOSAT UO-22 Uplink 145.900 or 145.975 MHz FM 9600 Baud FSK Downlink 435.120 MHz FM Operational. Carol, W9HGI, reports UO-22 is "working just fine, averaging six passes per day" over her QTH. W9HGI operates the West Coast Packet Satellite Gateway (WSPG) for the Worldwide Packet Network (WPN). More information on the satellite is available at the following URL: http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/EE/CSER/UOSAT/ [ANS thanks Carol Byers, W9HGI and Chris Jackson, G7UPN/ZL2TPO, for UO-22 status information] OSCAR-11 Downlink 145.825 MHz FM, 1200 Baud AFSK Beacon 2401.500 MHz Operational. Clive, G3CWV, reports good signals have been received from the 145.826 MHz beacon. A single WOD survey dated 06-January-99 of solar array currents and array voltage has been transmitted. The WOD contains a characteristic musical tone which occurs when the constant data is captured during solar eclipses and then transmitted. The ASCII bulletin is currently a static message, detailing modes and frequencies of all the amateur radio satellites. 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 OSCAR-11 status information] PACSAT AO-16 Uplink 145.90 145.92 145.94 145.86 MHz FM using 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 Apr 03 12:24:11 1999 uptime is 1658/06:45:39 +X (RX) Temp 1.814 D RX Temp -4.842 D Baseplt Temp 3.629 D RC PSK BP Temp 1.814 D RC PSK HPA Tmp 2.419 D +Y Array Temp 1.209 D PSK TX HPA Tmp 1.209 D +Z Array Temp 12.705 D RC PSK TX Out 0.442 W Total Array C= 0.304 Bat Ch Cur=-0.015 Ifb= 0.052 I+10V= 0.283 TX:010B BCR:85 PWRC:59E BT: A WC:25 EDAC:73 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 AO-16 status information] 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 - EA1BCU and ANS have not received any updated information for several months. The digipeater is active. Telemetry is as follows: Time is Fri Apr 02 23:45:29 1999 uptime is 245/10:10:51 +X (RX) Temp -8.844 D RX Temp 2.374 D RC PSK BP Temp 0.131 D RC PSK HPA Tmp -0.991 D +Y Array Temp -17.257 D PSK TX HPA Tmp -0.991 D RC PSK TX Out 0.659 W +Z Array Temp -14.453 D Total Array C= 0.008 Bat Ch Cur=-0.289 Ifb= 0.119 I+10V= 0.177 TX:017 BCR:1E 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 LO-19 status information] 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. It 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 TO-31 status information] PANSAT PO-34 Uplink/downlink frequencies have not been established. The satellite is not currently available for uplink transmissions. PanSat, developed by the Naval Postgraduate School, was launched from the shuttle Discovery during STS-95. 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. 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 Uplink/downlink frequencies have not been established. The satellite is not currently available for uplink transmissions. At this time the command team is planning general amateur radio service in the near future. 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. 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-094.06 WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 3 HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 094.06 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, APRIL 04, 1999 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-094.06 THE FOLLOWING SATELLITES ARE IN ORBIT BUT ARE NON-OPERATIONAL AT THIS TIME: RS-16 The 435 MHz beacon (only) is operational. Attempts to command the mode A transponder 'on' have been unsuccessful to date. No additional information is available at this time. DOVE DO-17 Downlink 45.825 MHz FM 1200 Baud AFSK Beacon 401.220 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. 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. The TechSat-1B micro-satellite was successfully launched from the Russian Baikonur Cosmodrome on July 10, 1998. Last reported, 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 constructed a home page about TechSat. To view the site, point your web browser to: http://techsat.internet-zahav.net/ No additional information is available at this time. 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. 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. SedSat was last reported to be performing as it has since launch, transmitting telemetry until the batteries are depleted -- going into safe mode -- recharging batteries -- and then repeating the process. For more information on SedSat-1 visit the satellite web site at the following URL: http://www.seds.org/sedsat No additional information is available at this time. 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 for several months. ANS has learned (from HL0ENJ) that satellite downlink telemetry shows one of KO-23's battery cells to be very unstable. [ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, and KyungHee Kim, HL0ENJ, for KO-23 status information] --ANS END--- Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to ans-editor@amsat.org /EX