SB ALL @ AMSAT $ANS-240.01 Excellent, Smooth AO-13 Ops HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 240.01 FROM WA2LQQ WARWICK, NY August 28, 1988 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT AO-13 operations were pleasant and generally uneventful this week. In "the back room" as it were, however, engineers sought answers to two puzzles: "What is the source of apparent rf energy pumping up the Mode L receiver AGC?" and "What will it take to get RUDAK running?". Meanwhile, it appears Mode S's debut is imminent. High Mode L receiver AGC levels have led AO-13 engineers to a series of tests and measurements to determine the source. The prime candidate is terrestrial radars operating in the 1.3 GHz range. The radar blanker on Mode L's 24 cm receiver is designed to suppress radar interference. AMSAT-NA and AMSAT-DL have begun a survey to determine if radar emissions are in fact responsible. The survey will run several weeks and seeks to determine if radar is the source and if so, how many radar sources are involved and where they are. Mode L users have occasionally reported sharp changes in transponder sensitivity. These preliminary observations are consistent with radar QRM assuming a very small number of radars are involved. Area Surveillance Radars (ASR) in the range of 1300 MHz are widely used throughout the world, however. AO-13's receiver is on 1269 MHz. Its radar blanker is apparently being overwhelmed by an ensemble of radars or a few very powerful ones. Amateurs with Mode L telemetry receive capability are invited to participate in a Mode L survey project to attempt to correlate Mode L receive AGC levels with the satellite's footprint and perhaps identify the source or sources of the hypothetical radar QRM. The equipment required includes a sensitive 70 cm SSB receiver and either a RTTY or PSK demodulator. The data sought includes: 1. Date/time 2. Mode L receiver AGC raw value (as transmitted) 3. Mode L transmitter output power (raw value) The 70 cm Mode L AGC is telemetry channel 1D. It is the 30th value sent. In the RTTY format, it is the last value in the first group. The Mode L output power is telemetry channel 01. It is the second value sent. See ASR# 179 or June QST, page 25. Times logged should be those sent in the telemetry stream (if PSK) or in UTC closely synchronized with WWV if the RTTY telemetry is monitored. On Mode L only, the RTTY is on for about 5 minutes at each quarter hour. The balance of the time the PSK telemetry is sent. AGC and power levels logged should be the raw telemetry values as sent in RTTY or PSK. Data should be sent to: L-Survey Project Manager John Gayman, WA3WBU, via packet, electronic mail or U.S mail. Addresses are WA3WBU @ AK3P. On GTE Telemail it's JGAYMAN/AMSAT1. Or John Gayman, WA3WBU, 1869 Valley Road, Marysville, PA, 17053. Data collection is requested from now through 15 September. Data should be submitted not later than 20 September but the sooner the better to be useful. Daily observation reports would be best. RUDAK Tests continue with no new results reported. /EX SB ALL @ AMSAT $ANS-240.02 AO-13 Operating Schedule HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 240.02 FROM WA2LQQ WARWICK, NY August 28, 1988 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT Here is the current AO-13 operating schedule. It will remain valid until September 21 but there may be deviations for specific engineering tests. Revised Operating Schedule: V3.1 19Aug88 +---------------------------------------------------------------+ | Mode | From | Thru | Remarks | Duration | | |(Inclus)| (Inclus)| | MA Minutes| |========|========|=========|==================================== | Off | MA 241 | MA 002 | Solar eclipse window | 18 48.3 | | Mode B | MA 003 | MA 099 | | 97 260.2 | | Mode L | MA 100 | MA 150 | Mode JL optional | 51 136.8 | | Mode B | MA 151 | MA 240 | | 90 241.4 | |--------+--------+---------+----------------------+------------+ | Mode S | | | Soon | | | RUDAK | | | Testing; ops pending | | +--------------------------------------------------+------------| According to G3RUH, AO-13's attitude as of 20 August was BLON=182.8 and BLAT=-0.7. James says the rate of change of the Bahn Coordinates due to natural movements of the orbit is BLON +0.0 deg/day and BLAT -0.1 deg/day. On or about 19 September, the attitude will be changed to BLON=210 and BLAT=+5 to respond to seasonal sun angle changes says DB2OS. /EX SB ALL @ AMSAT $ANS-240.03 Space Education Net Next Week HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 240.03 FROM WA2LQQ WARWICK, NY August 28, 1988 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT AMSAT's Space Education Network (SEN) project aims to provide timely information and tutorials on various aspects of space science and communications. This information will help improve individual skills in space communications and encourage a synergistic relationship among Radio Amateurs and those with an abiding interest in space sciences and technologies. SEN Project Manager K.O. Learner, K9PVW, has announced the schedule for the first SEN session to be transmitted via AMSAT OSCAR 13. According to K.O., the SEN will contain information of interest to a broad group of amateur space enthusiasts. (See BID ANS-233.02; 20Aug88) The first session will be held on September 3 and 4 UTC. The Mode B session will run from 2215 to 2315 UTC on September 3. (That's Saturday evening in the U.S.). The downlink frequency will be 145.960 MHz. The Mode L session will follow beginning at 0015 and running to 0115 UTC September 4. The downlink frequency will be 435.900 MHz. The first sessions will feature a tutorial on the Soviet Phobos mission now under way. Check-ins and participants are invited for both sessions says K9PVW. /EX SB ALL @ AMSAT $ANS-240.04 AMSAT Operations Mgt Changes HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 240.04 FROM WA2LQQ WARWICK, NY August 28, 1988 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT Ralph Wallio, W0RPK, has submitted his resignation as AMSAT's Vice President of Operations, a position he has held for several years. Ralph indicated increasing business pressures forced the difficult decision on him. He has been active in many key AMSAT activities and had a major planning and implementation role in the recent, highly successful Phase 3C/AO-13 AMSAT Launch Information Network (ALINS). His BBS system, which he has sponsored on AMSAT's behalf, has been an important member service asset used by hundreds. AMSAT President Vern Riportella, WA2LQQ, has announced that, due to the growing complexity of operations responsibilities with microsat and Phase 4 designs under way as well as full operations on AO-13, it makes sense to divide the functions held by Ralph into two new posts. These will be called Vice President of Technical Operations and Vice President of User Operations. These posts will exist on an interim basis until considered by the Board for permanent status. The new posts will be filled by Courtney Duncan, N5BF, of LaCanada, California in the Tech Ops slot and by Andy MacAllister, WA5ZIB of Houston in the User Ops slot. These are "acting VP" assignments pending Board approval of the new positions. Courtney Duncan, N5BF, is a researcher at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena. He has been a vital contributor to many AMSAT projects including one its first tracking programs, the AMS-81, which he developed with W0RPK in 1981. More recently, he has performed as a proposal manager in the joint AMSAT-NA/AMSAT-LU PACSAT project. He also is involved in the AMSAT DSP project. His major future assignments will include responsibilities for Phase 4 earth station design and network architecture. He also plans to team with other technical specialists on the upcoming AMSAT SatFox Test perhaps using DSP techniques for remote location via satellite. Andy MacAllister, WA5ZIB, is a project engineer in Houston who has written and produced his "OSCAR Notes" newsletter for several years. Recently, he has become satellite column editor for 73 magazine. Andy has been involved in satellite user operations and in charge of operating awards programs. His new role will allow him to both plan and supervise existing and new on-satellite activities such as special events and competitions such as the "ZRO-Test" receive sensitivity competition. W0RPK says he will continue to help out in AMSAT projects where needed and will assist the new VPs in their transition. The W0RPK BBS will be phased out in mid-September with the traffic being picked up by WD0GML (See related bulletin). /EX SB ALL @ AMSAT $ANS-240.05 First AO-13 ZRO Tests Slated HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 240.05 FROM WA2LQQ WARWICK, NY August 28, 1988 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT AMSAT Vice President of User Operations, Andy MacAllister, WA5ZIB, announces the first trial runs of the ZRO-Test on AO-13. The trial run is scheduled for Saturday, September 24 beginning not earlier than 2000 UTC, Andy says. The ZRO-Memorial Receive Sensitivity Station Engineering Award, or ZRO-Test for short, is a component of AMSAT's Technical Achievement Awards Program. In the ZRO-Test, participants earn award certificates and endorsements by demonstrating superior receive sensitivity of their satellite stations. They do this by copying calibrated weak signals from the satellite. The weaker the signals they can copy, the higher the grade of the award. The ZRO-Test attracted hundreds of participants on AO-10 beginning in 1985. The test is will be run on both Mode B and Mode L. Future Mode S tests are under discussion. According to WA5ZIB, the trial runs on September 24 will seek to exercise the test equipment and to determine the effects of anticipated seasonally dependent satellite attitude changes. AO-13's attitude will be changed slightly in mid-September to account for seasonal changes in the sun's position relative to the satellite's orbit. It is necessary to understand how these changes may affect the test, WA5ZIB says. Specific times for the trial runs will be announced shortly, Andy said. For a free brochure describing the ZRO-Test and how it works, potential participants are invited to send a business sized (#10 or larger) SASE with 45 cents postage to: ZRO Brochure, c/o Andy MacAllister, WA5ZIB, 14714 Knightsway, Houston, TX 77083. /EX SB ALL @ AMSAT $ANS-240.06 WD0GML To Manage New AMSAT BBS HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 240.06 FROM WA2LQQ WARWICK, NY August 28, 1988 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT AMSAT HQ announces that the W0RPK/AMSAT BBS system in Iowa will be phased out by September 15. Mike Parisey, WD0GML, of St. Charles, Missouri, will upgrade his existing system to pick up the traffic load. His system has been on line for several months picking up overflow traffic from the W0RPK system. Mike's system will now become AMSAT's primary BBS. Mike said he will be using the same software as was running on the W0RPK board so users should suffer no loss of service. Besides the normal messaging and bulletin service, Mike will have an orbit prediction program available for on-line predicts. The WD0GML/AMSAT BBS can be accessed at 314-447-3003 24 hours per day. AMSAT appreciates W0RPK's service in providing his BBS free to AMSAT members and others for several years. AMSAT thanks WD0GML for his efforts to assume this important responsibility. /EX SB ALL @ AMSAT $ANS-240.07 Orbit Sponsor Program Returns HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 240.07 FROM WA2LQQ WARWICK, NY August 28, 1988 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT AMSAT HQ announces the re-institution of the popular "Orbit Sponsor" program. For a nominal donation, you can sponsor a complete orbit of AO-13, have your name and callsign appear in ASR, these bulletins, AMSAT nets worldwide, and be read over the satellite's transponder during the AMSAT nets there. As a sponsor, you get bragging rights to that orbit (through all the modes) as sponsoring the flight of this great bird for a complete orbit; nearly half a day. In addition, you will receive a handsome certificate suitable for framing and display in your shack. Be the first on your block. Don't be the last. There are only so many orbits that can be sponsored. Get your choice by signing up early. Who will get Christmas? Who will get AO-13's birthday? Who will get your birthday. Call AMSAT HQ soon at 301-589-6062 to get signed up now for one or more AO-13 orbits. Plastic accepted. Minimum donation required. AMSAT has had OSCAR orbit sponsors on previous OSCARs thought to go back to at least AO-6 days. /EX SB ALL @ AMSAT $ANS-240.08 Cosmonauts Readied For Mission HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 240.08 FROM WA2LQQ WARWICK, NY August 28, 1988 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT (Story by KC2ZF) Four Soviet and two Afghan cosmonauts completed final medical checkups on Saturday, August 28, in preparation for Monday's launch to the Mir space station. Although the final crew selection has not been announced, all were certified ready for flight aboard the Soyuz TM-6 spacecraft due for liftoff Monday at 0523 UTC. The Soyuz and its SL-4 booster were rolled out to the pad at the Baikonur facility on Saturday. Fueling will commence early Monday morning, Moscow time. The mission is expected to last 10 days. Final crew selections will be made Sunday from the following list: Crew A Crew B Pilot-Vladimir Lyakhov Pilot-Anatoly Berezovoi Physician-Valery Polyakov Physician-German Arzamazov Researcher-Abdul Ahadnmohmand Researcher-Mohammad Dauran It is expected that CNN (Cable News Network) will carry the launch live. Interested listeners may hear the cosmonauts directly on several voice transmission frequencies. As always, East Coast listeners may listen to Mir on 143.625 FM when the station is in range of the Atlantic tracking fleet and the crew is awake. In addition, as the Soyuz TM-6 craft races towards Mir, full duplex activity from TM-6 on 121.750 MHz and Mir on 143.625 MHz may be observed. The Soyuz frequency, of course, falls within the aircraft band but will be an FM signal in contrast to the AM mode used by aircraft. This may provide listeners throughout the world with an opportunity to hear transmissions between the two spacecraft, regardless of proximity to the tracking fleet. The rendezvous and docking will occur approximately 50 hours after launch, and during this period Soyuz will be distanced from Mir by the following times in minutes--remember that these are only estimated but should prove helpful for listeners and observers alike. T+10hrs (1523z/29aug) 37" T+20hrs (0123z/30aug) 27.5" T+30hrs (1123z/30aug) 18" T+40hrs (2123z/30aug) 9" T+45hrs (0123z/31aug) 4" T+50hrs (0623z/31aug) 30 seconds The current MIR orbital elements are as follows: 1 16609U 88230.67993646 0.00027983 21498-3 0 3622 2 16609 51.6176 111.5055 0018965 303.8026 56.1477 15.71585738143513 /EX SB ALL @ AMSAT $ANS-240.09 AO-13 Mode S Tests Soon HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 240.09 FROM WA2LQQ WARWICK, NY August 28, 1988 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT AMSAT officials are considering when AO-13 Mode S will be activated. Mode S, a single channel, hard-limited, FM transponder has an uplink at 70 cm and a downlink at 13 cm (2.4 GHz). Because it has a 70 cm uplink, Mode S must be scheduled concurrent with Mode B which also has a 70 cm uplink. Because of the very narrow beam of the 13 cm Mode S downlink, Mode S must be scheduled for near-apogee when squint angles will be small enough to allow good Mode L reception. A 1.4 meter (4.6 foot) dish will provide the minimum recommended 28 dBi antenna gain for receiving Mode S. A system noise figure of not worse than 3 dB is believed adequate for Mode S. The Mode S transponder was built by AMSAT-NA by a Colorado team under the leadership of AMSAT veteran Bill McCaa, K0RZ. Bill says Mode S plans will be a topic of discussion at this weekend's VHF/UHF conference in Estes Park, Colorado. /EX SB ALL @ AMSAT $ANS-240.10 Short Bursts HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 240.10 FROM WA2LQQ WARWICK, NY August 28, 1988 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT The ARRL's new "Satellite Anthology" book is now off the presses. It features a collection of columns and articles from 31 issues of QST written by experts in the field. It is suggested as a supplement to the ever-popular Satellite Experimenter's Handbook. Also, Conference Proceedings of The 1987 AMSAT Space Symposium, are now available in a special bound edition. All are available at AMSAT HQ and ARRL bookstores. AMSAT Net Manager Wray Dudley, W8GQW, says a regular schedule of new weekly AMSAT nets on AO-13 will soon be announced. The nets will be scheduled at times when the satellite is positioned to serve AMSAT-NA members during convenient hours. Weekend evenings are prime candidates for the net which is in the planning process. Tentative frequencies include 145.970MHz on Mode B, 435.988 MHz on Mode JL and, if possible, 2400.745 MHz on Mode S. The Mode S net is highly speculative, however. Starting dates for the nets should be announced in the next week or two. The beautiful AO-13 wall poster is available at AMSAT HQ and at hamfests where AMSAT Area Coordinators sponsor booths. (See ASR #176) Recent QEX articles by AMSAT members are of interest to many. A review of automatic antenna controllers by Peter Prendergast, KC2PH, appears in the August edition. QEX is jointly published by AMSAT and ARRL for the advanced experimenter. It is part of AMSAT's publications program which includes Amateur Satellite Report (news and current events), QEX (experimenters) and the AMSAT Technical Journal (advanced engineering papers). AMSAT encourages its members to take full advantage of all its publications. Unfortunately, some minor glitches do remain in getting ASR out to members in a timely manner. Members should be assured the problem is being worked. Recently, for example, AMSAT learned to its dismay how slowly ASR is making its way through the Canadian postal system under its new mailing basis. This will be fixed shortly. Also, overseas airmailing problems persist since the "remailer" system was discontinued a few months ago. Members indulgence is sought while the complex problems of mailing ASR to 60 different nations on 5 continents is sorted out. On the positive side, ASR has been on its bi-weekly production schedule without interruption despite rising postal costs. /EX