Hi Ron,
Many of those reports of nothing heard are when it is in darkness, which is expected. However there are also daylight reports from seasoned operators of the same. Speaking unofficially, AO-85 appears to be on its last legs. The last telemetry was from ZL1WN on the 12th. Ross is in an ideal location with long periods of illumination and few users, allowing the batteries to recover as much as possible. I have copied passes as recently as the 25th where the analog COR mode was working perfectly. Other passes, it was not possible to bring it up at all. With the very marginal power levels, no telling what mode, including off, it might be in. :) It has surprised us in the past, however, so keep watching it.
73,
Alan WA4SCA
<-----Original Message----- <From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ronald <Parsons via AMSAT-BB <Sent: Saturday, December 28, 2019 3:08 PM <To: amsat-bb [email protected] <Subject: [amsat-bb] Has AO-85 finally bit the dust? < < Last heard report was almost 2 days ago. Before that, the downlink <frequency was wobbling < +- 5-10 kHz. < <Ron W5RKN <_______________________________________________ <Sent via [email protected]. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available <to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions <expressed <are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT- <NA. <Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite <program! <Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb