HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 244.01 FROM WA2LQQ
WARWICK, NY  August 31, 1988
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT

Use of AMSAT OSCAR 13 for information and members services is on the increase
as is evidenced by a survey of activity planned for the next few weeks.
Activities already planned include regular weekly nets on AO-13 open to all,
re-transmission of regular HF nets when possible, the Space Education Network,
the ZRO-Test and regular bulletin distribution via packet radio on AO-13.

According to AMSAT-VP of User Operations Andy MacAllister, WA5ZIB, the aim is
to have a full, predictable schedule of user activities for diverse operating
interests.  Andy will join a round-robin roster of AMSAT Net Control Stations
doing the weekly satellite nets.  The kick-off for the weekly satellite nets
will be this Friday evening local time.

The evening will begin with the premiere of the Weekly Mode B AMSAT Net
starting at 2330 UTC, Friday, September 2.  The Net Control downlink frequency
will be 145.970 MHz. Check-ins should call in between 145.955 and 145.965.

Beginning at 0100 UTC, Saturday, September 3, the AMSAT Weekly Mode L Net will
debut.  The downlink frequency will be 435.888 MHz.  Check-ins in the Mode L
uplink should call in between 435.875 and 435.885 MHz.  Mode J check-ins
should call in around 435.988 MHz.

Later that day, the Space Education Net debuts with an interesting program of
for space enthusiasts.  The Mode B session will run from 2215 to 2315 UTC
September 3 on a frequency of 145.960 MHz.  It will be followed at 0015 UTC on
September 4 by the Mode L session with a downlink at 435.900 MHz. Check-ins
and participants are invited to both sessions.

In the near future, AMSAT will begin distributing weekly bulletins via packet
radio on AO-13.  Initially, transmission will use the standard VHF FSK system
at 1200 baud.  Soon, however, 1200 baud PSK transmissions will join the FSK
transmissions.  Eventually, the FSK transmissions will be phased out and
bulletins will be transmitted only using the technically superior PSK method.
Bulletin sessions on Modes B, L and S are contemplated. Watch for word of the
commencement of this new AMSAT member service in the next week or two.

The first trial run of the ZRO-test will take place on both Mode B and Mode L
on September 24 according to WA5ZIB.  This trial run will be used to calibrate
the equipment and determine the effects of satellite attitude on the test
results, Andy said.

Re-transmission of the Sunday, AMSAT International 20 Meter Net will be
accomplished whenever the satellite is favorably disposed.  Although it will
not be possible next Sunday, September 4, the prospects are remarkably good
for the rest of the year according to an analysis of satellite windows.

According to WA5ZIB, various projects are in the planning stages to make using
AO-13 even more interesting than it already is.  New information services are
being developed (some of them have been mentioned above) and special operating
events will be held regularly.  A schedule will be published within the next
week. All this is to stimulate interest and member service satisfaction in
enjoying the new satellite resource.

As always, AMSAT membership will be beneficial in participating in the
operating events and obtaining current information via the satellite.

Here is the AO-13 operating schedule currently in use.  This schedule will
remain in effect until September 21 when a new schedule will be implemented.
Deviations from this schedule may occur to facilitate important engineering
tests.

  *** S P E C I A L   T E S T S  September 9.  Do not use the satellite! ***

            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 |            |
  +--------------------------------------------------+------------|

The omni antennas are enabled from MA 224 thru 032.  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.