************************************************************************** * * * THIS IS THE AMSAT-NA CBBS at ST. LOUIS MO, 24HR 7DAY AT (314)447-3003 * * 300/1200/2400 BAUD * * Mike Parisey WD0GML SYSOP * * Norm Newman NZ0Z Co-SYSOP * * * ************************************************************************** SB ALL @ AMSAT $ANS-139.01 AO-13 STAYS ON DURING PERIGEE HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 139.01 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD MAY 20, 1989 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT AO-13 Transponders To Be Operational During Perigee Until August 16th AMSAT Ground Command Stations, DB2OS, G3RUH, and VK5AGR, have been for the past several months been studying the battery conditions on AO-13 and usage of the transponders, and have decided that it is now safe to allow "perigee" operations of the transponders on AO-13 beginning May 14th and lasting until August 16th. An important factor which has influenced their decision is the fact that AO-13 will be in "full-sun" conditions for the next three month. Also, the position of the orbit with respect to the sun during this time period will provide very good sun angles for solar panel illumination. Normally there has always been a "perigee-shutdown" of the transponders but with the batteries in such good shape, the Ground Command Stations are interested in seeing how this "full-time" operation will affect the "battery power-budget." If it is found that this extended operation causes a "negative power-budget," operations during perigee will cease. As usual, listen to the General Beacon on AO-13 at 145.812 MHz for immediate updates to the operating schedule. As general rule, AO-13 users should always be cognizant of their RF power output. But during these new "perigee" operations, you should pay special attention to WATCH YOUR RF POWER OUTPUT and not use any more power than is necessary to have a return signal strength no louder than that of the General Beacon. Operators are encouraged to experiment with QRP operations during this time period in which AO-13 is passing the closest to the Earth. The following will be the operating schedules for AMSAT OSCAR-13 for the next several months. Please post this in a convenient place in your ham shack for quick reference. M de VK5AGR 14May89: *** AO-13 Transponder Schedule Update *** 14May89 to 14Jun89 Mode-JL from MA 160 to MA 200 ! Mode-B from MA 200 to MA 160 Also, for a trial period the OMNI-directional 70cm antenna will be connected to the Mode-B RCVR from MA 20 to MA 40. These changes have been introduced to enable stations who have access around perigee to experiment with perigee operation. Mode S unchanged. 14May89: BLON/BLAT 212.0/+2.4 with a drift rate of 0.016/-0.061 deg/day, respectively. O S C A R - 1 3 Date : 14Jun89 until 16Aug89 ! 16Aug89 until 16Nov89 Attitude: 180/0 ! 210/0 Mode-B : MA 0 to MA 110 ! MA 3 to MA 160 Mode-JL : MA 110 to MA 145 ! MA 160 to MA 200 Mode-B : MA 145 to MA 255 ! MA 200 to MA 240 OFF : % ! MA 240 to MA 3 Mode-S : MA 150 to MA 160 ! MA 210 to MA 222 Transponders will be in operation during the whole orbit from June 14 until Aug 16 due to excellent sunangle and power budget. No perigee operation between August and November due to perigee solar eclipses! /EX SB ALL @ AMSAT $ANS-139.02 MICROSATS LAUNCH DATE CHANGE HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 139.02 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD MAY 20, 1989 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT Arianespace Officials Now Say MICROSATs Launch Set For November 9, 1989 During this past week, Jeff Zerr (AMSAT-NA Engineer-in-Charge of Mechanical Assembly for the MICROSATs) has been in Kourou, French Guiana discussing important issues about planning and logistics with Arianespace officials concerning the up coming MICROSAT launch. Arianespace officials have now informed AMSAT-NA that the launch for the MICROSAT launch has been "pushed- back" and is now pegged for November 9, 1989. This particular mission in which the MICROSATs will fly on is commonly referred to by the French as a "call-up" mission. It is called this because the primary payload, the SPOT-2 earth resources/photo-reconnaisance satellite, is being launched is to replace the aging SPOT-1 which has been operational for several years now. The idea behind this "call-up" mission is to replace SPOT-1 ten-minutes before it dies; apparently SPOT-1 is not ready to "die" yet. OSCAR users should not be dismayed by this delay; launch delays have always been a part of every AMSAT OSCAR satellite "launch campaign." OSCAR satellite users should use this "extra" time to acquire either a G3RUH or TAPR PSK demodulator so that they can have their PACSAT stations ready, and hopefully, avoid the "last minute rush" to become operational on the MICROSATs once they are launched. AMSAT-NA will keep you informed if there are any further changes to the launch date. /EX SB ALL @ AMSAT $ANS-139.03 DOVE DOWNLINK FREQUENCY CHANGE HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 139.03 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD MAY 20, 1989 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT DOVE MICROSAT Downlink Frequency Changed To 145.825 MHz With the "impending" re-entry of UOSAT-OSCAR-9 (UO-9) predicted to occur in October, BRAMSAT President, Dr. Junior de Castro (PY2BJO) has made a decision to move the Digital Orbiting Voice Encoder (DOVE) downlink frequency to 145.825 MHz. Many satellite users will recognize this frequency as the same one in which UO-9 and UO-11 use for their voice "downlinks." Originally DOVE was designed to use 145.970 MHz as its voice downlink frequency. However, after consultation with AMSAT officials, a decision was made to change it to 145.825 MHz in order to maintain "commonality" with previous amateur radio "scientific and educational" amateur radio satellites, that is, UO-9 and UO-11. Also, it was pointed out that many schools had previously accquired simple FM receivers which were crystal controlled and only operated on 145.825 MHz. Therefore, it was BRAMSAT's desire to see this "commonality" maintained and so the DOVE downlink frequency was changed. [SPECIAL NOTE: If you are an educator or radio amateur who is interested in setting up a program at a elementry school in your area using DOVE, contact Rich Ensign, N8IWJ, 421 North Military Dr., Dearborn, MI 48124 to receive your information packet.] /EX SB ALL @ AMSAT $ANS-138.04 ARRL NATIONAL CONVENTION HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 138.04 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD MAY 20, 1989 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT AMSAT-NA To Operate a "All-Satellite, All-Mode" OSCAR Station (W1AW/5) In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the American Radio Relay League, there will be a commemorative station operation under the callsign of W1AW/5 on 2-4 June, 1989. This activity will take place at the ARRL National Convention in Arlington, Texas. The hours of operation will be from 17:00 UTC on Friday, 2 June, through 18:00 UTC on Sunday, 4 June. In keeping with the convention theme "FROM SPARK...1914-1989...TO SPACE," a "deluxe" satellite station will be set up. It is the intention of the station planners to operate this station on every pass of every Amateur Radio Satellite that comes within view of Arlington, Texas during this operating period. In the case of the UOSATS, demonstrations of bulletin and telemetry capture are planned. All modes of operations will be supported from Mode A, B, J, and L. Both AO-13 and AO-10 should be usable that weekend along with RS-10/11, FO-12, UO-9, and UO-11. Crank up your tracking programs and check your windows "of mutual visability" to Arlington, Texas, for 2-4 June,1989. For those with QT4.0 who would like to use the "mutual visibility" option, Arlington has the following location: Long=97.083W, Lat=32.750N, and Height above sea-level: 210 Meters. Icom, Tandy, Telex-Hy Gain, KC Tracker, and other manufacturers are providing support for this event. The ARRL is providing special QSLs for this event featuring the "Spark...To Space" logo. Every amateur satellite station in the country should have one of these exceptional QSLs. AMSAT-NA will be well represented in other ways at this convention. Forums on Microsats and Phase IV will be presented on Saturday by Doug Loughmiller, KO5I, President of AMSAT NA. Joining Doug will be AMSAT-NA VP for Engineer- ing, Jan King (W3GEY) and Dick Jansson, WD4FAB, to discuss the Phase IV geostationary satellite design. On Sunday, Keith Berglund, WB5ZDP, will present an introductory level satellite forum. Also on Sunday, Bill Tynan, W3XO, will give a forum on the Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment (SAREX). If you are coming to the convention, please stop by the AMSAT Booth or the Commemorative station to meet the many AMSAT volunteers who will be present. If you would like to volunteer your operating assistance for the Commemorative Station, please contact Keith Pugh, W5IU, at (817) 292-5633. Last but not least. A full size model of the AMSAT-NA PHASE IV project will be on display in the convention lobby for all interested parties to see. It will be hard to miss since it is approximently 8 ft. in diameter and was constructed by students from the Center of Aerospace Technology (CAST) from Weber State College in Ogden, UT. "See you on any of the birds during the weekend of 2-4 June, 1989." /EX SB ALL @ AMSAT $ANS-139.05 OSCAR SATELLITES NEED YOU! HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 139.05 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD MAY 20, 1989 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT All OSCAR Enthusiasts Are Asked To Support The Amateur Satellite Program This year will be a "banner" year with the launch of six, or perhaps seven amateur radio satellites. Almost every international AMSAT organization is involved in a major satellite construction effort. As radio amateurs know world-wide, amateur satellites are universal -- they are open to anyone who wishes to use them. With this unprecedented period of OSCAR construction currently happening, all AMSAT organizations need your help and support. Please try to remember the next time you hear your signal coming back from an OSCAR the literally thousands of hours of labor freely volunteered by AMSAT volunteers. In short, OSCARS satellites need your support. /EX SB ALL @ AMSAT $ANS-139.06 AMSAT SHORT BURSTS HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 139.06 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD MAY 20, 1989 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT AMSAT Short Bursts AMSAT is seeking additional Area Coordinators throughout North America. These additional members of the Field Operations organization are needed to support the expected inrush of activity and excitement centered about the launch of an additional six or seven amateur radio satellites this year. AMSAT-NA is seeking those who wish to promote the Amateur Radio Satellite program, and primarily, those experienced satellite users who will serve as "Elmers" for aspiring satellite enthusiasts. If you are interested in joining this team of "make it happen" amateurs, contact the AMSAT VP of Field Operations: Jack Crabtree, AA0P 4327 W. Bellewood Dr. Littleton, CO 80123 (303) 795-7736 Many AO-13 users are unaware that there is an AMSAT Operations Net which is conducted on AO-13 several times each month to help answer questions about OSCAR satellites and to provide information about the many exciting things going on in AMSAT. The following is a list of the times for the Ops Net. Please place this list in a convenient place in your OSCAR station so that you won't miss out on this interesting net which is offered as a service to all AMSAT members. Here is the Ops Net schedule through June: Date UTC orb-phs NCS 21 May 0200 716-188 (20 May local) 28 May 0200 731-105 (27 May local) 04 Jun 0300 746-045 (03 Jun local) 11 Jun 0000 760-152 (10 Jun local) 18 Jun 0100 775-092 W0RPK (17 Jun local) 25 Jun 0300 790-055 (24 Jun local) Nets can be held on B or JL, but if the AO-13 satellite schedule is changed such that the Ops Net falls during an "off" period, it will be rescheduled. Frequencies are 145.950 MHz up and 435.970 MHz up. All these are for AO-13, but AO-10 is sometimes used, when available. The following is the operating schedule for FO-12 for the rest of the month of May and for June: DATE MODE OPERATING PERIOD 05/21/89 JD 03:11 UTC until 11:23 UTC 05/24/89 JD 08:41 UTC until 01:37 UTC on 05/25/89 05/28/89 JD 00:56 UTC until 09:08 UTC 06/03/89 JD 05:46 UTC until 00:44 UTC on 06/04/89 06/09/89 JA 04:25 UTC until 21:20 UTC 06/21/89 JA 01:43 UTC until 18:38 UTC 06/24/89 JA 01:03 UTC until 17:58 UTC 06/29/89 JA 00:35 UTC until 15:29 UTC de DB2OS 01May89: *** AO-10 TRANSPONDER SCHEDULE *** 01May89 to 13Jul89 Mode-B : from MA 025 to MA 225 OFF : from MA 226 to MA 024 All radio amateurs who live in the Northern California area are reminded of the "Shasta SpaceCon '89" which will be held in Weed, CA on June 17th at the Student Center of the College of the Siskiyous. This all day seminar is designed to be a "beginners introduction" OSCAR satellites. Many excellent speakers from AMSAT and Project OSCAR will be present. For more information about this fine seminar, please contact Bob Dalleske, W6AMW, at (916) 964-3154. /EX FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! THE FOLLOWING ADDED BY AMSAT-NA CBBS at St. Louis (314) 447-3003 24hr 7day 300/1200/2400 baud. This section may have additions through the week! RS-10 INFO FROM RS3A: I received the following message from RS3A via packet. Don't know why UA3CR's license closed down and the info is somwhat confusing (10 time 0.4 watts gives 4 (5) watts output power of transponder, how much was it before?). I was also informed, that for general no packet operation is currently allowed in UA. I hope to get more Info soon.. 73's Peter DB2OS From: RS3A@EA4DYX To: DB2OS@DK0MAV Hello Peter! I hope this is intresting for you: Attention please ! Begining from 4th May RS10 'A'-trasponder works without limiting of output power each of subchannels ( trasponder has 10 subchannels, 4kHz each). Formerly limit was about 0.4W each of subchannels. PEP output power of trasponder is 5 Watts. You may pablish it. Greetings for family and friends from USSR ! Best Wishes and Good Bye. Leonid (RA3AT) and RS3A team. P.S. Bad news: UA3CR licence is closed now. JAS-2 SOON TO BE LAUNCHED: This week I had the chance to talk with Eduardo Diaz who runs the tracking station in Santiago Chile -- If you recall, Eduardo's station provided tracking support to the Japanese for the H-1 launch of JAS-1, EGP-1 and Ajisai. During the JAS-1 ALINS, Eduardo and I provided the real-time 15M link from Santiago into the ALINS telephone circuit and were able to "broadcast" the first JAS-1 signals to the world. Eduardo told me that the next Japanese launch they will support is another H-1 launcer scheduled for January 23, 1990 with the primary payload being the MOS-1B (Marine Observation Satellite). He also told me that he had been contacted by the JARL for amateur support since JAS-2 will be onboard the flight. He promised to send me such technical details as he had when he returns home to Santiago. 73, Tom