HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 043.01 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD FEBRUARY 12, 1994 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-043.01 Andy Freeborn (N0CCZ) Becomes A Silent Key It is with great sadness that AMSAT-NA HQ reports that an old friend of TAPR and AMSAT has become a silent key -- Andy Freeborn (N0CCZ) of Colorado Springs. Andy succumed this past week due to cancer at age 72. Andy was an Air Force pilot who retired to Colorado Springs where he became an amateur and then later involved in packet radio activities. For a number of years he was a member of TAPR's Board of Directors and he served for a couple of years as the TAPR President. In that role he did yeoman duty for AMSAT coordinating TAPR's involvement in the MICROSAT development and he helped kick off the joint TAPR/AMSAT DSP development activities. Andy will certainly be missed! [The AMSAT News Service would like to thank Tom Clark (W3IWI) for this bulletin item.] /EX SB SAT PHASE-3D FUEL TANKS ARRIVE HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 043.02 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD FEBRUARY 12, 1994 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-043.02 Phase-3D Rocket Fuel Tanks Arrive On February 8, 1994 AMSAT-DL was informed of the arrival of the six tanks for the AMSAT P3-D spacecraft. Each tank is capable of storing about 50 lbs of rocket propellant. The tanks were manufactured in Russia accord- ing to AMSAT specifications. AMSAT-DL was able to order and purchase these tanks under very favorable conditions with the help of AMSAT-UA. "The ar- rival of these tanks constitutes a major milestone in the fabrication of AMSAT's P3-D satellite. It is another shining example of the international cooperation within the P3-D project and amateur radio in general," said Dr. Karl Meinzer (DJ4ZC), AMSAT-DL President and Project Head. [The AMSAT News Service (ANS) would like to thank Peter Guezlow (DB2OS), AMSAT P3-D Project Team Member, for this bulletin. ] /EX SB SAT AMSAT TURNS 25 YEARS OLD SOON HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 043.03 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD FEBUARY 12, 1994 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-043.03 AMSAT Turns 25 Years Old Soon; WA0PTV Is Preparing AMSAT Journal Issue This spring AMSAT will turn the quarter century mark. The AMSAT Journal Editor, John Hansen (WA0PTV) is already starting to prepare an AMSAT Journal for this historic occasion. He would very much like to hear from the users of OSCAR satellites about what they feel should be included in this historic issue. He is particularly interested to hear from those who wish to contribute information, photos, or articles to this issue of the AMSAT Journal. This 25th "birthday" issue will be published as the March/April issue of The AMSAT Journal. If you feel that you would like to contribute to this "birthday" issue, please contact WA0PTV at either his INTERNET mail address of wa0ptv@amsat.org or to his home address, 49 Maple Avenue, Fredonia, NY, 14063. /EX SB SAT AO-13 OPERATIONS NET HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 043.04 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD FEBUARY 12, 1994 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-043.04 Current AMSAT Operations Net Schedule For AO-13 AMSAT Operations Nets are planned for the following times. Mode-B Nets are conducted on AO-13 on a downlink frequency of 145.950 MHz. If, at the start of the OPS Net, the frequency of 145.950 MHz is being used for a QSO, OPS Net enthusiasts are asked to move to the alternate frequency of 145.955 MHz. Date UTC Mode Phs NCS Alt NCS 20-Feb-94 0200 B 070 WA5ZIB W5IU 28-Feb-94 0430 B 068 WB6LLO W9ODI Any stations with information on current events would be most welcomed. Also, those interested in discussing technical issues or who have questions about any particular aspect of OSCAR statellite operations, are encouraged to join the OPS Nets. If neither of the Net Control Stations show up, any participant is invited to act as the NCS. /EX SB SAT IO-26 BBS RET HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 043.05 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD FEBUARY 12, 1994 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-043.05 ITAMSAT-OSCAR-26 (IO-26) Returns To Service After the software crash occurred on the 07-DEC-93, the ITAMSAT (IO-26) Command Team decided to delay the reloading of the code inorder to improve the onboard software and further analyze the Whole Orbit Data (W0D) dumps, to better understand the satellite motion and operation. On the 06-JAN-94, the final version of the code was validated by the Command Team and the BBS was re-opened to all the users. The integrated housekeeping software (IHT ver 2.1) now has WOD capabilities and weekly data dumps will be taken without affecting the BBS operations. It should be remembered by all users that the BBS call sign is ITMSAT-11 for receiving broadcasts and ITMSAT-12 for uploads. Also, the standard PB and PG ground software is needed for accessing the BBS. The downlink frequency is 435.867 MHz using PSK at 1200 baud. Albert Zagni (I2KBD), ITAMSAT Command Team member wishes everyone to "Enjoy ITAMSAT!" /EX SB SAT STRAIGHT KEY NIGHT RESULTS HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 043.06 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD FEBUARY 12, 1994 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-043.06 OSCAR Straight Key Night Shows Off The "BEST FISTS" Many thanks to all who participated in the 22nd Annual Straight Key Night on the OSCARs, 1-JAN-94. The following "Best Fist" nominations have been received: W1NU, WQ3Y and W6HDO. Although AMSAT didn't ask that logs be submitted, several participants also reported working AMSAT-NA's esteemed President, W3XO/5, in one of Bill Tynan's rare appearances on CW (PVRC members especially will appreciate the significance of this occasion). An "honorary" Best Fist nomination goes to you, Bill; let's hope that more SSB operators will follow your fine example, dust off their old pump handles, and enjoy the fun. See you all next year! 73, Ray W2RS /EX SB SAT STS-60 POST FLIGHT SYNOPIS HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 043.07 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD FEBUARY 12, 1994 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-043.07 STS-60 SAREX Post Flight Synopsis The first Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment (SAREX) flight of 1994 can be considered a resounding success. The STS-60 Space Shuttle Discovery mission, which included Astronauts Charlie Bolden, KE4IQB, Ron Sega, KC5ETH, and Russian Cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev, U5MIR concluded on Friday February 11 with a picture perfect touchdown at the Kennedy Space Center. During the mission, nearly 4000 packet connections were made with the SAREX station on Discovery by ham radio operators on the ground. Several voice contacts were also made, primarily late in the mission. True U.S.-Russian cooperation was demonstrated on this flight through on-board experimentation and operation of the SAREX station. SAREX was officially activated at 14:27 UTC on February 4 with a successful voice contact through the University of Surrey amateur radio station. Doug Loughmiller, G0SYX was the control operator to initiate this first contact with the STS-60 crew. A highly successful direct contact was completed one orbit later with a school group in Boise Idaho. The contact, held at the Discovery Center included students from several schools including the Boise Senior High School. 19 students were able to ask direct questions to Shuttle Commander Charlie Bolden. One of the SAREX mission highlights occurred at 10:42 UTC on February 6. Sergei Krikalev, U5MIR, initiated a contact with a school group at the House of Science and Technology for Youth in Moscow, Russia. This represents the first time a cosmonaut on a U.S. space shuttle has communicated with a group in Russia. Leo Lebutin, UA3CR and Valery Agabekov, UA6HZ were the prime school group coordinators for this contact. During the contact Musa Manarov, U2MIR, gave Sergei greetings from Russia. Six students were able to ask their questions to the crew on the Space Shuttle Discovery. In addition, several cosmonauts were on hand to hear the communications. The SAREX contact was also broadcast live throughout Russia on HF (80 meters, 40 meters and 20 meters) as well as on VHF. Problems with the Wake Shield Facility primary payload affected the SAREX payload somewhat. The Mars, Pennsylvania school contact, had to be rescheduled 4 times before a successful contact was made. 8 students were able to ask questions to Sergei Krikalev and Jan Davis during this contact. The students and teachers should be commended for their persistence and patience. Other scheduled contacts included the Chariton High School, in Chariton, Iowa, where 3 questions were answered and the James Bean School in Sidney, Maine, where 11 students asked questions to the crew on Discovery. The following packet message was received by AMSAT member Doug Howard, KG5OA, during one of the last SAREX passes: [2/10/94 12:11:21]W5RRR-1>QST: Greetings from Discovery on our sixth day in orbit. We enjoyed a conversation with President Clinton while he was visiting Houston Mission Control yesterday This morning we talked with our colleagues on Mir via satellite and we hope to talk with the Mir cosmonauts today with SAREX. Thanks for your interest and support of our flight. Best wishes from the crew of STS-60. FYI, unfortunately the Shuttle crew was unsuccessful in their attempts to communicate with the MIR crew using SAREX. Those of you who have heard or worked the STS-60 crew and wish to receive a QSL card need to send your signal report and an SASE or an envelope and IRCs to the following address: STS-60 QSL Education Activities Division ARRL 225 Main St Newington, CT 06111 School groups interested in communicating with the Shuttle astronauts are reminded to submit an application and proposal to the ARRL to be considered for a future contact. Final SAREX school group selections are decided approximately 6 months prior to the mission launch date. For more information, please write: Educational Activities Division ARRL 225 Main St Newington, CT 06111 School groups are always welcome to listen into a school group contact when a telebridge contact occurs. We had several schools listening to the Mars, PA contact. For more details on how to listen in through the telebridge, please contact the ARRL at the above address or Frank Bauer, KA3HDO of AMSAT. His e-mail address is ka3hdo@amsat.org The next SAREX flight, STS-59 is scheduled for April 7. It will be a high inclination (57 degree) mission with voice and packet on-board. Submitted by Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO for the SAREX Working Group /EX SB SAT WEEKLY OSCAR STATUS REPORTS HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 043.08 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD FEBUARY 12, 1994 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-043.08 Weekly OSCAR Status Reports: 12-FEB-94 AO-13: Current Transponder Operating Schedule: L QST Mode-B : MA 0 to MA 90 | Mode-BS : MA 90 to MA 120 | Mode-S : MA 120 to MA 145 |<- S transponder; B trsp. is OFF Mode-S : MA 145 to MA 150 |<- S beacon only Mode-BS : MA 150 to MA 180 | Blon/Blat 180/0 Mode-B : MA 180 to MA 256 | Omnis : MA 230 to MA 30 | Move to attitude 240/0, Apr 04 Poor Sun angle and battery testing need maximum OFF time. [G3RUH/DB2OS/VK5AGR] FO-20: The following is the current FO-20 operating schedule: From January '94 thru March '94, the analog mode and the digital mode will be on alternately for a week at a time. ANALOG MODE: 23-FEB-94 8:05 -TO- 02-MAR-94 6:40 UTC 09-MAR-94 7:05 -TO- 16-MAR-94 7:30 UTC 23-MAR-94 7:52 -TO- 30-MAR-94 8:15 UTC DIGITAL MODE: Unless otherwise noted above. [Kazu Sakamoto (JJ1WTK) qga02014@niftyserve.or.jp] AO-16: Operating normally. [WH6I] LO-19: Operating normally. [WH6I] KO-23: Up and running. All appears to be back to normal. [WH6I] KO-25: BBS is running. It appears that 145.980 MHz is the proper uplink frequency and the downlink frequency is 436.500 MHz. There are a number of images on the bird, some in a yet to be described format. [WH6I] POSAT: PoSAT is up and running. The processor seems very fast compared to the other 9600 baud birds and faster through puts are common. A note on the bird seems to imply that the "amateur experiment" will be ending soon but no are details available. PoSAT has two uplink frequencies: 145.925 & 145.975 MHz. The corresponding downlink frequencies: 435.250 & 435.275 MHz. [WH6I] IO-26: Is back up and running (1200 baud) and seeing a lot of use. [WH6I] DOVE: Just a small correction on the address on where to send your DOVE QSL and shortwave listener reports. PY2BJO reports that if you use the "extended" zip code for his address, your QSL cards and reports will arrive sooner. For completeness, his address is as follows: Dr. Junior Torres De Castro (PY2BJO), 119 Rua Macaubal, Sao Paulo, Brazil 01256-150. [PY2BJO] RS-10: With the sudden rise of Solar Flux and 28 MHz open between W and G, both RS-10 and RS-12 have been giving excellent downlink signals when well below the user's horizon. GM4IHJ reports hearing the satellites when over most continents, and DJ8DT reports hearing RS-10's 29.357 MHz beacon when the satellite was overflying Antarctica. Also, ZS6AOP is very active from grid location KG33WV and has made some spectacular contacts on RS-10. He invites all radio amateurs in the surrounding countries to listen for him on RS-10's 10M downlink. [G3IOR & ZS6AOP] MIR: G3BGM heard MIR working IK1SLD on 144.450 MHz today 03-FEB-94 at 06:21 UTC. The theory about the use of this frequency by the MIR cosmonauts was to avoid clashing with the STS-60 operations. [G3IOR] The AMSAT NEWS Service (ANS) is looking for volunteers to contribute weekly OSCAR status reports. If you have a favorite OSCAR which you work on a regular basis and would like to contribute to this bulletin, please send your observations to WD0HHU at his CompuServe address of 70524,2272, on INTERNET at wd0hhu@amsat.org, or to his local packet BBS in the Denver, CO area, WD0HHU @ W0LJF.#NECO.CO.USA.NOAM. Also, if you find that the current set of orbital elements are not generating the correct AOS/LOS times at your QTH, PLEASE INCLUDE THAT INFORMATION AS WELL. The information you provide will be of value to all OSCAR enthusiasts. /EX