****************************************************************************** * AMSAT NA News Service Bulletins * * NEWS037 06FEB88 * * [ Copyright 1988 by AMSAT NA, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ] * * [ Permission is granted for unlimited redistribution by electronic or ] * * [ other means provided credit is given to AMSAT NA News Service (ANS). ] * * [ Edited for AMSAT NA by W0RPK ] * * [ This edition was forwarded by the W0RPK-AMSAT Bulletin Board System ] * * [ operating on 515-961-3325 24-hours Ralph Wallio, W0RPK SYSOP ] * ****************************************************************************** Headlines: 1. AO-10 operations to cease immediately 2. John Browning, W6SP, resigns as AMSAT-NA director 3. PHASE-3C launch efforts continue 4. Radio RSA Amateur Radio Program 5. AMSAT Issues New PC Software QUIKTRAK 3.2 6. New FO-12 Operating Schedule posted by JARL ****************************************************************************** 1) AO-10 operations to cease immediately AMSAT OSCAR - 10 has been showing symptoms of insufficient power production during the past several days. There have been reports of the general beacon and transponder FMing and of the beacons and transponder operating in random states. As a result, AO-10 is now removed from service. All user access should stop immediately. AO-10 may be back in service in a few months. 2) John Browning, W6SP, resigns as AMSAT-NA director Increasing business time requirements have compelled John Browning, W6SP, to resign as a director and as Chairman of the Board of Directors of AMSAT-NA. John has been a significant contributor to AMSAT-NA and to the amateur radio space program. His service will be missed. 3) PHASE-3C launch efforts continue Momentum is increasing on several fronts leading to a launch of AMSAT's Phase 3C spacecraft in late spring. While the actual launch date has apparently slipped a month into late May or early June, preparations to support the launch activities are proceeding well. These support activities include planning for the launch support team from AMSAT NA and AMSAT DL in Kourou and launch activity coverage by the AMSAT Launch Information Network Service. AMSAT NA's launch support team met recently in Boulder Colorado to map out plans for their activity in Kourou. Together with the AMSAT DL team, they will accomplish the final preparations on the Phase 3C satellite after it has arrived at the Kourou launch site of the European Space Agency. They will apply thermal blankets, install the antennas, fuel the spacecraft and integrate it with the SPELDA, the large container which sits atop the Ariane 4 launcher and which supports and contains the payload. After integration, a minimum support team will remain on site to monitor the spacecraft telemetry sent through the umbilical to the monitoring facility. A 24 hour watch team will assure all telemetry values remain within tolerance. This watch will continue through to launch. Major launch-related activities will be broadcast on a world-wide ALINS prior to, during and after the launch. Local repeater groups are encouraged to re-broadcast Phase 3C ALINS traffic. Special landline ports will be available for repeater operators to patch into for live launch coverage. Additional details regarding frequencies and schedules of the various nets will be announced as soon as the schedules are firmed. Interested parties should contact Ralph Wallio, W0RPK, at his callbook address. With activity levels increasing on many fronts, AMSAT HQ is encouraging all its Area Coordinators and members to take an active part in helping make Phase 3C a success in terms of membership as well. It is especially important to promote new membership now since launch preparations and related expenses tax AMSAT's budget. New and renewing members are urgently needed to help offset rising expenses. AMSAT's financial managers advise it is certain a cutback in services will be necessary if membership and donation trends remain below necessary levels. Donations are always welcomed and may be tax-deductible. 4. Radio RSA Amateur Radio Program On Saturday, March 12, Radio RSA, the voice of South Africa, will present a special program for Radio Amateurs world-wide. Produced and presented by SA AMSAT President Hans van de Groenendaal, ZS6AKV, the program will feature Amateur Radio News from around the world including Satellite activity, DXpeditions and more. The program will air as follows: March 12 at 1845 UTC (Service for UK, Europe and Africa): 17880 kHz March 13 at 0250 UTC (Service for USA and Canada): 9580, 9615 and 6010 kHz. 5. AMSAT Issues New PC Software QUIKTRAK 3.2 A minor glitch has shown up in early versions of AMSAT's QUIKTRAK program. The glitch affects ONLY QUIKTRAK versions 3.0 and 3.1. Versions of QUIKTRAK and SUPERTRAK for the Commodore and Apple computers are NOT affected at all. Version 3.2 is now in distribution. In addition to correcting the glitch, it incorporates several new features such as EQX and apogee determination. To obtain a replacement diskette for your defective QUIKTRAK version 3.0 or 3.1, return the original program diskette ONLY in a standard diskette mailer to AMSAT HQ and a replacement, Version 3.2, will be promptly returned to you. Return mailing labels will speed the response even more. Mail to AMSAT, 850 Sligo Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, 20910. 6. New FO-12 Operating Schedule posted by JARL Mode From(UTC) Mode From(UTC) ----------------- ----------------- D Feb.1 9:19 JD Mar.1 5:31 JD 3 9:32 D 2 4:36 D 4 8:39 JD 3 5:45 JD 6 8:52 D 4 4:51 D 7 7:58 JD 5 1:53 JD 8 9:05 D 6 3:01 D 9 8:11 JA 8 1:13 JD 10 7:17 D 9 4:25 D 11 10:27 JA 10 1:27 JD 13 8:39 D 11 2:35 D 14 9:47 JA 12 1:41 JA 16 7:58 D 14 1:55 D 17 11:11 JD 17 5:22 JA 18 8:12 D 18 6:30 D 19 7:18 JD 19 3:33 JA 20 8:27 D 20 4:42 D 22 4:35 JD 21 3:47 JD(*) 25 3:55 D 22 4:55 JD 25 10:05 JD 23 4:01 D 26 7:06 D 24 5:09 JD 27 8:15 JD 26 3:21 D 28 7:20 D 27 4:28 JA 30 1:46 D 31 2:54 Mode JA Linear Transponder Mode JD Mailbox Mode D Charge The schedule may be changed at any time due to unexpected power situations. Note (*): On Feb. 28 from 03:55 through 05:57 UTC a special telemetry software package will be loaded to permit telemetry transmission every 2 seconds instead of every minute. The mailbox will be unavailable during this period but the digipeater will be operational. Telemetry reports will be appreciated. Send to JARL via the FO-12 mailbox.