18 Sep
2017
18 Sep
'17
6:50 p.m.
Just a note that AO-7 has been reliably in Mode B for the past several days. For the past several months, AO-7 has had a tendency to flip from Mode B to Mode A even in the presence of only modest uplink signals, likely due to poor illumination on the solar panels. As the seasons have progressed, it appears that the illumination situation has improved. Get on and make some QSOs! This would be a particularly good time to set up skeds for extreme range QSOs.
According to DK3WN's illum software, from October 15th through November 21st, AO-7 will be in constant sunlight. During this period, the 24 hour timer will function and the satellite will spend 24 hours in Mode B then 24 hours in Mode A. Get those 10 meter antennas ready!
73,
Paul, N8HM