PCSAT-1 has been recovered as it entered better sun angles.
PCSAT-1 should remain NORMAL OPS for the next few weeks until it experiences an overload and resets. Then we lose it till December. So we ask that all users please adhere to these fundamental principles:
1) No unattended operations 2) No connections to or through PCSAT-1 3) UI digipeating and APRS packets only typically at 1 minute rates or so 4) Watch pcsat.aprs.org for live activity 5) Use the path of VIA PCSAT-1 or VIA ARISS 6) Minimize all packets after dark!
Enjoy PCSAT-1 and APRS! Make contacts, QSO, enjoy!
Just remember that ACKS are pretty useless and only add QRM to the channel. So do not expect ACKS via the satellite. If you see your outgoing packet digipeated by PCSAT-1 a few times then you should ASSUME that the other person got it and delete it yourself. By the same token, if someone sends you a message, then ANSWER him in kind, so that he knows you got it.
See web page PCSAT.APRS.ORG or Google for PCSAT.
De WB4APR, Bob US Naval Academy Satellite Lab
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Robert
Bruninga
Sent: Monday, September 25, 2006 9:42 AM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] PCSAT-1 Recovery and OPS
AMSAT-BB:
Users please refrain from any packets TO or VIA W3ADO-1.
We are trying to recover PCSAT-1 (NO-44). We only have one
shot
per day at a given lattitude and a given orbit when the sun angles are just perfect.. We were trying to recover today and would have been successful, but there were other signals on
the
air. These packets consumed all available power while we
were
trying to connnect the command link and made the link impossible.
We ask that ALL USERS not send any packets via the W3ADO-1 default callsign. This callsign means PCSAT-1 is in RESET condition and is power negative. If we can recover it this week, then PCSAT-1 will be useable for several weeks, but we only have a few day window during which this recovery is possible. This can only work if there is no contention on the uplink.
Please do not use W3ADO-1 in any way until it has been receovered. If you see the callsign PCSAT-1, then you are welcome to use it. But until then, we need every single
packet
worth of power to try to get in on the command link and get it set up for users.
So if it is using W3ADO-1, then that means it has not been set to low power mode and has not been receoverd. If it is using PCSAT-1, then that means we have turned it over to users.
I am glad to see users interested in using the bird. We are hopeful that we can recover it this week and then maybe get a few weeks of continuous use out of her. As always, unattended beacons are not welcome at this time.
See pcsat.aprs.org
Thanks
Bob WB4APR
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: