Hello all,
Mike Rupprecht DK3WN has reported no signal from AO-16 as of 1200UTC on 3 May 2008. Again, a reasonable explanation for AO-16 to cease transmitting is that the increasing eclipse periods are too long to sustain operations at the previous transmitter output setting. As you are witnessing, the sustainable power budget is being determined empirically by me, with "best guess" settings. We are in uncharted territory here, folks!
When AO-16 is silent, as it is right now, the batteries continue to charge with minimal current being drawn to sustain the vital functions of the satellite (CPU). Thus, it is in a safe resting state at the moment, and the batteries continue to charge when in sunlight. Thanks to a brilliance in design, construction, and coding, the bird is hardy and excellent at self-preservation.
Rest assured that I will investigate and get some telemetry from AO-16 as soon as my schedule, and the satellite's visibility at my QTH, cooperate. Perhaps that will be as soon as this afternoon; but it may be tomorrow.
In the meantime, please do not transmit to AO-16 until further notice. Attempts to uplink to the satellite in voice mode compete and complicate my ability to command the bird. Your cooperation will be appreciated.
I'll provide updates via this list when more information becomes available.
73 on behalf of the command team,
Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]