February 2010 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

OSCAR-11 Report
by Clive Wallis 24 Feb '10

24 Feb '10

OSCAR-11 REPORT 24 February 2010 This report covers the period from 11 January to 23 February 2010. During this time the satellite was heard from 21 to 31 January and 11 to 24February. Good signals were received, and decoded. Signals have been very strong, although frequent changes in polarisation have been observed. The satellite has only transmitted when in sunlight. The next transmissions are expected around 04 March 2010. The on-board clock was 260 days slow, when last heard on 21 February. The increasing error suggests that the clock may be stopping, when the satellite is in eclipse. Sometimes, the date counter also fails to increment. Reception reports have been received from stations located all over the world including Peter Zl3TC, Jon 2M0IBO, Mike DK3WN, Adrian LU1CBG, Robert VE2PRS, Ken GW1FKY and Alan ZL2BX. Many thanks to everyone who sent email reports, posted to AMSAT-BB or updated the KD5QGR/WB4APR satellite status website. The Beacon frequencies are - VHF 145.826 MHz. AFSK FM ASCII Telemetry UHF 435.025 MHz. OFF S-band 2401.5 MHz. OFF ------------- RECEPTION REPORTS REQUESTED! I am particularly interested in reports of reception during the hours 23:00 to 06:00 and 12:00 to 17:00 UTC, especially near expected switch on or off dates. Please send reception reports to xxxxx(a)amsat.org (replace xxxxx by g3cwv) or post to amsat-bb. If you have a file, please do not send it but let me know what is available. You may also like to add your reception report to the live satellite status page, on the website set up by David KD5QGR and Bob WB4APR. The URL is http://oscar.dcarr.org/index.php The satellite transmits on 145.826 MHz., set receiver to NBFM. OSCAR-11 has a characteristic sound, rather like raspy slow morse code, sending "di di dah dah dah dah dah dah dah" sent over five seconds. If you are receiving a very weak signal, switch the receiver to CW or SSB. You should hear several sidebands around the carrier frequency, and should be able to hear the characteristic 'morse code like' sound on at least one sideband. Please note that you need a clean noise free signal to decode the signals. There is an audio clip on my website www.g3cwv.co.uk which may be useful for identification and as test signal for decoding. ------------- The satellite is now subject to eclipses during every orbit. Long term predictions indicate that eclipses will occur until 2019, when there will be some eclipse free periods until 2023. However these very long term predictions should be regarded with caution, as large tracking errors can accumulate over long periods of time. When eclipses started around 2005 the watchdog timer often switched the transmitter off before the ten day on period had finished, during parts of the eclipse cycle. When eclipses became a permanent feature of all orbits, after April 2008, the transmitter switched off within a single orbit, thus the satellite was effectively non operational. The satellite unexpectedly started regular transmissions in November 2009. It is possible that a fault has developed, which prevents the watchdog timer resetting when the power supply fails. The transmitter switches off during eclipses, and the real time clock stops during most of the eclipse. When analogue telemetry was last received, in 2005, it showed that one of the solar arrays had failed, and there was a large unexplained current drain on the main 14 volt bus. After 25 years in orbit the battery has undergone over 100,000 partial charge/discharge cycles, and observations indicate that it cannot power the satellite during eclipses. The current status of the satellite, is that all the analogue telemetry channels, 0 to 59 are zero, ie they have failed. The status channels 60 to 67 are still working. The real time clock is showing a large accumulated error, although during ten minute passes the clock increments correctly to within one second. The day of the month has a bit stuck at 'one' so the day of the month may show an error of +40 days for some dates. The time display has switched into 12 hour mode. Unfortunately, there is no AM/PM indicator, since the time display format was designed for 24 hour mode. The spacecraft computer and active attitude control system have switched OFF, ie. the satellite' attitude is controlled only by the passive gravity boom gradient, and the satellite is free to spin at any speed. The watchdog timer now operates on a 20 day cycle. The ON/OFF times have tended to be very consistent. The average of many observations show this to be 20.7 days, ie. 10.3 day s ON followed by 10.4 days OFF. Listeners to OSCAR-11 may be interested in visiting my website. If you need to know what OSCAR-11 should sound like, there is a short audio clip for you to hear. The last telemetry received from the satellite is available for download. The website contains an archive of news & telemetry data which is updated from time to time. It also contains details about using a soundcard or hardware demodulators for data capture. There is software for capturing data, and decoding ASCII telemetry. The URL is www.g3cwv.co.uk . If you place this bulletin on a terrestrial packet network, please use the bulletin identifier $BID:U2RPT147.CWV, to prevent duplication. 73 Clive G3CWV xxxxx(a)amsat.org (please replace xxxxx by g3cwv)

1 0

antennas for AO-51 V/S
by John Heath 24 Feb '10

24 Feb '10

Enjoy V/S on AO-51 Visit www.uk.amsat.org and go to the shop. There you will find an easy build complete kit for a patch antenna ideal for AO-51 73 John G7HIA

1 0

drake 2880
by Jim 24 Feb '10

24 Feb '10

Has any one used the Drake 2880 downconverter on the air. I have 2 of them 1 I did the mod on and one that has not has any thing done to it. Jim K7UDG

5 4

IAC 2009 Video - Space Education
by Trevor . 24 Feb '10

24 Feb '10

A video made at IAC 2009 - Space Education through Nano/Pico Satellites - is available and features Martin Sweeting G3JYO and Roland Coelho WH7BE It can be seen at http://www.southgatearc.org/news/february2010/space_education.htm 73 Trevor M5AKA Daily Amateur Radio News (Email/RSS): http://www.southgatearc.org/ Email Your News To: editor at southgatearc.org Or Upload Using Form At: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/your_news_1.htm ----

1 0

Re: AO-51 V/S
by Andrew Glasbrenner 24 Feb '10

24 Feb '10

In about 30 minutes, 2145z. 73, Drew KO4MA -----Original Message----- >From: graham mcphee <gemcphee(a)bigpond.com> >Sent: Feb 22, 2010 2:25 PM >To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-51 V/S > >Could I have an indication when AO-51 will change to V/S mode please >Graham >VK2AYE >_______________________________________________ >Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

6 8

How to add HO-68 to Nova?
by Michael J. Wolthuis 24 Feb '10

24 Feb '10

Can anyone tell me how to add HO-68 to Nova so it will auto download the keps and so I can use Nova to predict passes for it? I checked under HO-68 and XW-1. Mike kb8zgl

2 1

uni trac
by Hank Kucharski 24 Feb '10

24 Feb '10

Hi....... I have been trying to get my uni trac back up and running and have a problem with getting the keps correct. I had this thing working several years ago and now on a new computer it is giving me trouble. I know someone out there is using uni trac and I am looking for some help. I wish to use uni trac in unison with nova. Where are users getting the correct kep file from? I emailed zl2amd and have not received any response from him. any help would be appreciated. ............tnx............ Hank, N8ANR

2 1

LAPAN-ORARI Satellite
by Wisnu YB0AZ 24 Feb '10

24 Feb '10

LAPAN-ORARI Satellite: Since the signing of the Cooperation Agreement between the ORARI and LAPAN on November 5th 2008 in Jakarta, we agreed to develop the technology of radio and satellite communications. ORARI Headquarter have formed the AMSAT-ID and is assigned to collaborate with a team of LAPAN to cooperate in the development of INASAT (Indonesia Satellite) which will have content (payload) Voice Repeater and APRS Digipeater, but the journey has changed the plan to build a satellite that is part of the plan to build one satellite to two satellites and satellite given the LAPAN-ORARI and LAPAN-A2. LAPAN-ORARI satellite is a satellite that will take FM voice transponder UHF / VHF frequency 145.880MHz and 435.880MHz and Digipeater APRS frequency 145.825MHz. Also LAPAN-ORARI satellite will emit green light laser for attitude determination. Planned for a launch into a 650km LEO with low (8 degree) inclination from India as a secondary payload with "Megha-Tropique". LAPAN-A2 satellite is a satellite development of LAPAN-Tubsat satellite and will use the S band (non amateur frequency) for video surveillance and the UHF amateur frequency for telemetry. The plan the two satellites will be launched in middle of year 2011. Wisnu Widjaja YBØAZ is a responsible operator on the request frequency coordination for the two satellites to the IARU Satellite Coordinator and was approved on December 23rd, 2009. Progress work on LAPAN-ORARI and LAPAN-A2 satellites currently are in the stage of assembly and testing of components. On the internet widely available information on these satellites, more information at http://www.lapan.go.id http://www.orari.or.id http://www.amsat-id.net http://lapantubsat.org http://www.amsat.org.uk/iaru/finished.asp So, hopefully this information can be useful for the member of ORARI and amateur radio throughout the world about LAPAN ORARI and LAPAN A2 satellites. Organisasi Amatir Radio Indonesia (ORARI) Best 73 and thanks Wisnu Widjaja YBØAZ Vice Secretary General, International Affairs Coordinator and IARU Liaison of ORARI

1 0

Re: AO-51 V/S
by Bob- W7LRD 24 Feb '10

24 Feb '10

Hello >From the upper left corner of the U.S. We're using a 36"X30" primestar dish with a 5 turn helix feed- to a transystem 3731AA downconverter- to 50 feet of RG6 coax- then the bias tee-then a variable attenuator-the tunable IF is a old TS-700A with the tx disabled so that in the heat of battle (oooops) I don't tx into the dc. The old 700 has a real good noise blanker for shutting down local wifi and cordless phone snapping and popping. AO-51 S band signals are quite strong, though I'm sure the three foot dish helps. It was great on AO-40 (sobsob). I have tried a handheld helix with a Keps downconverter, not as strong as the dish but very useable. A couple of pictures are attached. Not many of us on mode V/S, we can actually have a conversation. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle, Wa. gelo Glorioso" <n5uxt(a)hotmail.com>, "Andrew Glasbrenner" <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com>, "Bob- W7LRD" <w7lrd(a)comcast.net>, "Graham Shirville" <g.shirville(a)btinternet.com> Cc: amsat-bb(a)AMSAT.Org, "Leo P Swatloski" <w7jpi(a)sunncast.net> Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 3:29:14 PM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-51 V/S Hi Angelo, Running S-mode on AO-51 is fun and great to work. For the benefit of BB readers that are new to S-band, can you share the specifics of your system that results in S9+60 readings? Dish, downconverter, preamp, coax, noise level in the shack, what you're using for IF (what rig), etc.? Thanks! I think users will be curious. 73! Mark N8MH At 04:59 PM 2/23/2010 -0600, Angelo Glorioso wrote: >Hi Graham, > > I have to agree with you.. Very little fading like in the past. It reached >the S9 + 60 on the S meter. Made contacts with N5AFV from his car and >KC9ELU. Traffic >got heavy near the end of the pass with a few 7 landers. I was even able to >make a contact with N1RCN on AO-51 with about .5 degrees elevation today. > > The good old gal is working great!! :-) > > >73 de Angelo > > > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Graham Shirville" <g.shirville(a)btinternet.com> >To: "Angelo Glorioso" <n5uxt(a)hotmail.com>; "Bob- W7LRD" <w7lrd(a)comcast.net>; >"Andrew Glasbrenner" <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> >Cc: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> >Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 4:39 PM >Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-51 V/S > > >> Hi all, >> >> It is amazing just how strong the AO51 S Band signal is with even a small >> dish on the ground. >> >> I understand that the S Band PA is probably producing just less than I >> watt of RF so I really really hope that our long delayed ESEO spacecraft >> will get off the ground before too long. This is scheduled to have a U/S >> FM transponder with a 3 watt PA so should be workable with even smaller >> dishes! >> >> More info on ESEO can be seen here >> http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/satellites/satInfo.php?satID=78&retURL=satel… >> >> 73 >> >> Graham G3VZV >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Angelo Glorioso" <n5uxt(a)hotmail.com> >> To: "Bob- W7LRD" <w7lrd(a)comcast.net>; "Andrew Glasbrenner" >> <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> >> Cc: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> >> Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 4:19 PM >> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-51 V/S >> >> >>> Signal here reached the usually S9+60db at 5 degree elevation on the >>> western >>> pass. Sounded good. Just need to get rid of my hmmm on the signal. :-( >>> >>> >>> >>> ----- Original Message ----- >>> From: "Bob- W7LRD" <w7lrd(a)comcast.net> >>> To: "Andrew Glasbrenner" <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> >>> Cc: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> >>> Sent: Monday, February 22, 2010 6:06 PM >>> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-51 V/S >>> >>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Last pass signals were s9 + 20 max on a three foot dish/3731aa >>>> downconverter >>>> >>>> 73 Bob W7LRD >>>> >>>> CN87 >>>> >>>> Seattle >>>> ----- Original Message ----- >>>> From: "Andrew Glasbrenner" <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> >>>> To: "Andrew Glasbrenner" <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> >>>> Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >>>> Sent: Monday, February 22, 2010 3:41:14 PM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific >>>> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-51 V/S >>>> >>>> We are in mode V/S now. I'm slightly concerned we may have hit the low >>>> voltage trip during the last pass while I was trying to get some >>>> telemetry, so reports of S reception would be appreciated. >>>> >>>> 73, Drew KO4MA >>>> AMSAT-NA VP Ops >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >>>> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite >>>> program! >>>> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >>>> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite >>>> program! >>>> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >>>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >>> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite >>> program! >>> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >> >> > >_______________________________________________ >Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

1 0

HO-68 SSB 24-02 13:10 UTC
by jp-byj-free 23 Feb '10

23 Feb '10

Hi. Tomorrow 24-02 13h10-21 UTC for Western Europe very good pass of HO-68 in linear transponder ( VE1-2-3-4 and W1-2-3-4-8-9-0? and FG? ) I hope for some good QSO S'73 Jep

1 0