Hello all,
after Robert-G8ATE's report on Amsat-BB, this evening I tried together with my friend Dimitris, SW1JGW, a test on FO-29.
Well, yes indeed, the Satellite is active again ! Just after the AOS we heard clear the Beacon, and then I had a nice QSO with SW1JGW (21:36Z) ! After that I changed my frequency a bit lower and I had a 2nd QSO with DL6HP (21:38 Z).
Both, Dimitris and I, we were QRP ! 5 Watts for Uplink were enough for excellent return signals on Downlink. By using QRP we tried to avoid any overloading of the bird.
The Satellite was really Booming, always 55 - 59 with "crystal audio". However, at 21:38 my return-signal rapidly decreased, but even much lower it was easily readable. After that I interrupted my TX and I return onto Beacon frequency. Q5 now, but still "clear" !
Later I noticed that on my tracking software, precisely at this time the Satellite came on a new Eclipse ! So, probably the old-Batteries are not strong enough in order to support the same Downlink-power in eclipse, like that on Sunlight. Also I observed some FMing at this point and I lost the signal before the LOS, but on this direction I have not "clear horizon" (but High buildings), so I can't say with accuracy if the Satellite was still "ON" or not. Sorry !
Anyway, the FO-29 is back again ! Great news !
CU on FO-29 !
73 de Mak, SV1BSX
Email: sv1bsx "AT" yahoo .gr URL : http://sv1bsx.50webs.com