************************************************************************** * * * THIS IS THE WD0GML-AMSAT-ST.LOUIS BBS 24HR 7DAY AT (314)447-3003 * * 300/1200/2400 BAUD * * Mike Parisey WD0GML SYSOP * * Norm Newman NZ0Z Co-SYSOP * * * ************************************************************************** SB ALL @ AMSAT $ANS-098.01 73 MAGAZINE SATELLITE ISSUE HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 098.01 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD APRIL 8, 1989 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT 73 Magazine May Issue Is Dedicated To OSCAR Satellite Enthusiasts Andy MacAllister, WA5ZIB, AMSAT-NA Vice-President of User Operations, has dubbed the May issue of 73 Magazine the "Hamsat" issue for good reason: this whole issue is devoted to the amateur radio satellite program. Andy points out that many of the usual columns were dropped this month inorder to make room for the numerous articles submitted about OSCAR satellites. There are a total of 18 OSCAR related satellite articles. These articles cover such important topics as software, preamps, radio equipment, and tracking devices. Also covered are simple turnstile antennas, Mode L uplink parabolic dishes, and Mode S systems. Included are discussions about future amateur radio statellites, that is, the MICROSATs and the Phase 3D programs. Andy points out that the response to his call for articles last November for OSCAR submissions was so overwhelming that it was not possible to publish all the fine articles which were submitted. Therefore, for the remaining issues of 73 Magazine this year, there will be at least two articles published each month which will deal with some aspect of amateur radio satellites. So pick up a copy of this excellent issue of 73 Magazine today. [PLEASE NOTE: AMSAT-NA will have additional copies available at the AMSAT Booth at the Dayton Hamvention and will also keep copies at Headquarters for some time.] /EX SB ALL @ AMSAT $ANS-098.02 A NEW FEATURE OF AMSAT-NA BBS HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 098.02 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD APRIL 8, 1989 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT Descriptions Of Software For OSCAR Users Available On AMSAT-NA BBS Because of the proliferation of useful software programs being offered by AMSAT-NA, AMSAT-UK, and Project OSCAR, Mike Parisey, WD0GML (System Manager for the AMSAT-NA BBS) has set up a special "menu" which users of the BBS can bring up which will provide an in-depth description of the various software packages availble today for OSCAR satellite users. These descriptions will provide information about all the features of that particular program, eg., what machine it will run on, graphics capability you will need, memory requirements, etc. By keeping this information available on the BBS, one can "browse" around and find the program that best fits your needs. Many OSCAR satellite users will be suprised at the large selection of programs that exist for IBM PCs, Commodore C-64/128s, Apples/MacIntoshes, Atari's, and the British BBC computer. Also, there are programs which offer many unusual options, such as decoding telemetry from AO-13/UO-9/UO-10, mutual satellite visability window "predictors," computing "squint angles" and satellite telemetry processing. So the next time you "check into" the AMSAT-NA BBS, follow the instructions in the "preamble" on how to bring up this new "menu." The AMSAT-NA BBS available at (314) 447-3003 at either 300, 1200, or 2400 baud. /EX SB ALL @ AMSAT $ANS-098.03 WX SAT COLUMN TO START BY N5ITU HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 098.03 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD APRIL 8, 1989 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT N5ITU To Begin Weather Satellite Column For AMSAT-NA Journal Jeff Wallach, N5ITU, who has been a long time weather satellite picture processing enthusiast, has agreed to start writing a column devoted to all aspects of processing pictures from weather satellites for the AMSAT-NA Journal. Jeff is eminently qualified for this job and he is currently serving as the Chairman of the Dallas Remote Imaging Group (DRIG) which is a group dedicated to this interesting aspect of "signal processing." Besides being dedicated to processing weather satellite imagery, the DRIG is also helping secondary school districts set up weather satellite ground stations. For many AMSAT members N5ITU should be well known: he has delivered papers at the AMSAT-NA Space Symposium on weather satellites for the past two years. Doug Loughmiller, KO5I, President of AMSAT-NA, has invited Jeff to start writing this column because OSCAR satellite users share a great deal of the "commonality" with weather satellite enthusiasts; KO5I points out that they too track and receive signals from satellites and utilize PCs in their ground stations. For many OSCAR enthusiasts, adding this additional capability to process weather pictures would not require much more equipment than a receiver which will work around 137.500 MHz, a simple AM demodulator, and some easily obtainable software. Jeff's column in each issue of the "Journal" will discuss both the hardware and software requirements to make your OSCAR station weather satellite capable. He will discuss antennas, receivers, preamps, software and all aspects of processing "automatic picture transmissions." So look for N5ITU's column starting with the second issue of the AMSAT-NA Journal. Incidently, Jeff invites all AMSAT members and OSCAR enthusiasts to check into the DRIG BBS at (214) 394-7438. /EX SB ALL @ AMSAT $ANS-098.04 SHORT BURSTS HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 098.04 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD APRIL 8, 1989 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT Short Bursts AMSAT-UK, who is sponsoring the "UOSAT-OSCAR-9 Reentry Competition," wants to remind those individuals wishing to participate that according to the rules only 5 entries or "guesses" are allowed. Send your predictions for the reentry of UO-9 into the earth's atmosphere to: "UO-9 Reentry Competition," AMSAT-UK, 94 Herongate Rd., Wanstead Park, London, E12 5EQ, England. All entries must be postmarked no earlier than 30 days before UO-9's "firery death." AMSAT-NA is now taking orders for the TAPR PSK Demodulator kits. If you haven't ordered your kit already, be sure to do so soon inorder to avoid the last minute rush to be ready when the MICROSAT/PACSATS are released for operation later this year. To order your kit today, contact AMSAT-NA Headquarters at (301) 589-6062. AMSAT-NA is looking for members in the New York and New Jersey area who willing to serve in the capacity of a AMSAT Area Coordinator. There appears to be acute "shortage" of Area Coordinators in these populous states. If you are an active OSCAR satellite user and are interested in becoming an AMSAT Area Coordinator, contact AMSAT-NA Headquarters at (301) 589-6062. The "OSCAR-13 Beginners Guide" is now available from AMSAT-NA Head- quarters. If you are a newcomer to the world of OSCAR Satellites or would like to have an excellent "reference guide" for AO-13, you can obtain of copy of the publication by contacting AMSAT-NA Headquarters at (301) 589-6062. /EX FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! THE FOLLOWING ADDED BY WD0GML-AMSAT-ST.LOUIS (314) 447-3003 24hr 7day 300/1200/2400 baud. This section may have additions through the week! UoSAT BEACON MYSTERY: Thanks to Jeff Ward G0/K8KA, the mystery of the 29.509 MHz beacon was short-lived. The following is an excerpt from Jeff's article on the UoSAT program that will be published in the May 1989 Special Satellite Issue of "73 Amateur Radio". Thanks Jeff! THE UOSAT SATELLITES - EXPERIMENTAL OSCARS by Jeff W. Ward G0/K8KA Research Fellow UoSAT Spacecraft Engineering Research Unit University of Surrey Guildford, Surrey GU2 5XH United Kingdom The UoSAT-OSCAR-9 HF beacon experiment can provide your next experience in satellite SWLing. This requires a little more planning than does simply waiting for the VHF beacon. Ask a local AMSAT member for some orbit predictions for UoSAT-OSCAR-9, and when it should be in range, listen for CW transmissions on 29.510, 21.002 or 14.002 MHz. Don't forget that Doppler shift will make the signal frequency seem higher when the satellite is coming toward you and lower when it's going away. The beacon transmits "AMSAT" in Morse code, then unmodulated carrier for signal-strength measurements, then a line of Morse telemetry. The 29-MHz beacon will be the strongest, since it is not attenuated by the ionosphere as much as the lower frequency beacons. When you've found one of the HF beacons, compare your HF Acquisition Of Signal (AOS) and Loss Of Signal (LOS) times with those for the two-meter signal. You may find that over-the-horizon propagation makes the HF signals audible longer than the VHF signals. Perhaps this will hook you on the fascination of AMSAT satellite experimentation. UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY SMALL SATELLITE CONFERENCE: The following is information concerning the AIAA/Utah State University Conference on Small Satellites, scheduled for September 25 - 28, 1989. CALL FOR PAPERS Areas of interest: * Missions/Applications * Science * Technological Advances * Experimental Design * Launch Systems * Support Systems * System Management * Marketplace Dynamics Send paper & poster abstracts by June 15, 1989 to: Dr. Frank Redd Center for Space Engineering Utah State University Logan, UT 84322-4140 801/750-3554 Commercial display space available. Contact: Mr. Larry Riley Conference & Institute Division Utah State University Logan, UT 84322-5005 801/750-1696 If interested in receiving more information and forms to use to register for the conference, contact: Veloy Dickson Center for Aerospace Technology Weber State College Ogden, UT 84408-1805 (801) 626-7272 ARRL COMMITTEE SUPPORTS NO-CODE: ARRL BULLETIN 16 ARLB016 FROM ARRL HEADQUARTERS NEWINGTON CT APRIL 5, 1989 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS AN ARRL STUDY COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO EXPLORE THE IMPLICATIONS OF A CODELESS CLASS OF AMATEUR RADIO LICENSE HAS SUBMITTED A REPORT RECOMMENDING THE CREATION OF SUCH A LICENSE AS AN ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF ENTRY INTO AMATEUR RADIO. THE ARRL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, WHICH MET ON APRIL 1, DID NOT TAKE A POSITION ON THE SUBSTANCE OF THE REPORT BUT AUTHORIZED ITS PUBLICATION IN THE MAY ISSUE OF QST AND REFERRED IT TO THE FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR CONSIDERATION. THE STUDY COMMITTEE STRESSED THAT ITS PROPOSAL IF ADOPTED WOULD NOT CAUSE ANY LICENSEE TO LOSE ANY PRESENT PRIVILEGES. IT PROPOSES A NEW CLASS OF AMATEUR RADIO LICENSE WITH A WRITTEN EXAMINATION SOMEWHAT MORE COMPREHENSIVE THAT THE PRESENT TECHNICIAN EXAM BUT WITH NO REQUIREMENT FOR A MORSE CODE EXAM. HOLDERS WOULD BE GIVEN FULL PRIVILEGES NOW AVAILABLE TO TECHNICIANS ABOVE 30 MHZ, EXCEPT THAT 2 METER OPERATION WOULD BE LIMITED TO FREQUENCIES BETWEEN 144.9 AND 145.1 MHZ AND TO DIGITAL MODES ONLY. EXAMS WOULD BE GIVEN ONLY BY ACCREDITED VOLUNTEER EXAMINERS AND DISTINCTIVE CALL SIGNS WOULD BE ASSIGNED. THE COMMITTEE REPORT DOES NOT REPRESENT LEAGUE POLICY AT THIS TIME. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS THE POLICY MAKING BODY OF THE ORGANIZATION AND AS SUCH WILL DETERMINE WHETHER THE REPORT, WITH OR WITHOUT MODIFICATIONS, WILL BECOME LEAGUE POLICY. ARRL MEMBERS, OTHER LICENSED RADIO AMATEURS, AND OTHERS INTERESTED IN AMATEUR RADIO ARE INVITED TO REVIEW THE REPORT AND TO MAKE THEIR VIEWS KNOWN TO ARRL DIVISION DIRECTORS BEFORE THE NEXT BOARD MEETING, JULY 21 AND 22. From N4HY: I URGE you to write your director TODAY and say yes because I guarantee that the opponents will be out in force. Bob AMSAT OSCAR-13 OPS NET NEWS: I'm sorry to report that my IC-471 is not yet back from the factory, so I will be unable, again, to call the Operations Net in the morning at 1300. I expect to be back on the air very soon and will resume calling the nets as soon as possible. There has been activity on the announced frequencies at the announced times and all are encouraged to meet there for informal discussions even if an official net control is not present. 73, Courtney UPDATED PSK MESSAGE FROM AO-13: Greetings! The following message was taken from the AO-13 PSK data at 0630 UTC on 3 April 1989 at the QTH of WB6GFJ. The modem used was the G3RUH AO-13 PSK Modem, Modem software was P3C.EXE, and utility program was "P3C Utility". ------------------------------------------------------------ M de VK5AF 02Apr89: *** AO-13 TRANSPONDER SCHEDULE *** Until 03May89 ! 03May89 to 14Jun89 Mode-B : from MA 100 to MA 160 ! from MA 3 to MA 160 Mode-JL : from MA 160 to MA 200 ! from MA 160 to MA 200 Mode-B : from MA 200 to MA 256 ! from MA 200 to MA 240 OFF : from MA 0 to MA 100 ! from MA 240 MA 3 Current schedule covers eclipses during 05Apr89 to 27Apr89 03Apr89: ALON/ALAT 222.0/+2.0 drift 0.016/-0.061 deg/day. ------------------------------------------------------------- 73, Ross (WB6GFJ)