SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-364.01
AO-51 Configured for Earthquake/Tsunami Support

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 364.01
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
December 29, 2004
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-364.01

In an effort to lend any assistance possible to the Earthquake/Tsunami
disaster area, AO-51 will be will be configured and opened for use as a
store and forward message satellite for those in the disaster area.
Therefore the current schedule for AO-51 has been cancelled.
The planned mode change to the FM Repeater in high power will not occur.

AO-51 will be reconfigured at approximately 0305 UTC on 30 DEC 2004 to
operate as a Store and Forward PBBS.  The PBBS will still be open to
general amateur use, but amateur operators should be ready to cease BBS
operations at any moment, when we start to receive message traffic.  We
ask that all unattended PBBS operation stop until further notice.  AO-51
PBBS users may be requested to help download and forward messages.  More
information about how amateur operators can help will be forthcoming.

The FM repeater (Downlink 435.300 Mhz, Uplink 145.920 MHz) will be
turned off to allow maximum power to be used on the PBBS downlink.

The configuration for AO-51 PBBS will be:
Downlink:  435.150 MHz, FM 9600 baud PacSat BroadCast Protocol (PBBS)
Uplink:    145.860 MHz FM, 9600 baud PacSat BroadCast Protocol (PBBS)

Anyone that can help contact those in the disaster area and inform them
of the Satellite resource is encouraged to do so. Should another
configuration of AO-51 be identified as providing more benefit to those
in the disaster area, AMSAT will adjust AO-51's operating mode
accordingly.

Amsat and the Echo Command Team appreciate your help and understanding
as we try and lend assistance.

Mike Kingery
Echo Command Team
Amsat VP Opeations

[ANS thanks Mike, KE4AZN for the above information]

/EX