AFAIK there is no telemetry available to decode spin rate from, but my hunch from experience with AO-51 is that the spin is very, very slow. What we see is a combination of blocking of the downlink antenna by the body of the spacecraft, and with portable ops especially, mismatched polarity on the downlink. The best option is to be able to twist the antenna to peak the signal many times through the pass.
With SO-50's particular implementation of PL, it's also VERY useful to have full duplex to both peak your signal, and know if you are getting in or QRMing anyone.
SO-50 is sort of like the old Russian RS birds. We don't know a lot about the bits and pieces, but are sure glad it's there and working!
73, Drew KO4MA
On 4/1/2012 2:50 PM, [email protected] wrote:
Hello AMSATers,
SO-50 with it's lower ERP and apparent spin make it a more difficult bird for the handheld guys to keep up with but not at all impossible. I have been curious though if anyone has information as to what the spacecraft/antenna orientation is and what is the spin rate if any and how that affects workability? I find myself explaining the quirksof this bird to folks and would like a little more intelligent set of answers. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
73 de Tom, N5HYP, today in DM93 _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. 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