I have tried to hear the mode A and B beacon a few times over the last few weeks, and did not hear anything. I noticed the same thing during the last non-eclipse period earlier this year as well. The mode-B beacon seems to be easy copy when there's eclipses, leaving me to wonder if maybe the beacon/telemetry system only works for so long, or maybe it gets turned-off by some means. I have never heard the mode-A beacon. I once heard the mode-B beacon sending repetitive "hihi" at extremely fast speed(60-plus WPM!), although I can't remember if it was during a non-eclipse period or not. It normally sends sequences of three-by-three telemtry data beginning with "hihi", just like FO-29 does now.
I also wonder if any command station have tried any commands on AO-7 in recent times, to see if it responds to commands such as beacon on/off, telemetry beacon speed, or transponder-mode switch?
Auke
----- Original Message ----- From: "Joseph Holman" joehol@windows.microsoft.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Saturday, November 01, 2008 7:23 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-7 tonight - would like to receive
Any AO-7 users available tonight to help me with a receive experiment on my end?
I'm setting up a new station and would like to hear something on AO-7.
I read that the beacon may or may not be on all the time - is this true?
During the last pass right now, I did not hear a beacon around 145.975 - should I be?
Joe, AD7D. _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@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
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