Drew's response is correct. In addition the camera software ignores images that do not appear to be of Earth and during eclipse so if left on for a longer period, it would essentially waste repeater opportunities by running high speed data that only contains the small satellite/experiment telemetry. It should keep repeating the last good image until it changes modes or again sees Earth and captures a new image but we considered that to be of lesser value vs. the power required to maintain 100% duty cycle especially in eclipse, and the loss of the use of the repeater in the southern hemisphere while in camera mode.
Jerry Buxton, NØJY
On 7/7/2019 22:08, Andrew Glasbrenner via AMSAT-BB wrote:
It was necessary as a consequence of our original imaging license from NOAA. We could not image anything other than the surface of the earth, and since the satellite is stabilized with a bar magnet, the camera points up in the southern hemisphere. 45 minutes on an ascending pass means the camera is off by the time it is pointed the wrong way. That's the reason as far as I remember it. Jerry or Burns might be along to correct me if my memory is faulty.
You may have some shot at receiving the signal as the ascending passes over the US go over the pole and down over China and western Japan. I can add some of those passes if you will be ready to copy.
73, Drew KO4MA