Hello All,
According to projections, the next 100% illumination period for AO-51 has begun. Hopefully for the next week or two we can run both transmitters ON at reasonable power. The PL tone isn't needed (and hasn't been for the last few weeks).
FM Digital PBBS, U Uplink: N/A Downlink: 435.150 Mhz FM
FM Repeater, V/U Uplink: 145.920 Mhz FM Downlink: 435.300 Mhz FM
Even though AO-51 "sees sunlight" all the time, it doesn't "see" the sun equally throughout an orbit. So, we are going to keep the power management software running in hopes that we can optimize the transmitter power output and keep the battery temperatures down.
The way it is currently configured, AO-51 can run in one of three states, depending on available battery power: 1) HIGH 435.300 at 550 mW and 435.150 at 420 mW 2) MEDIUM 435.300 at 420 mW and 435.150 at 300 mW 3) LOW which currently sets both transmitters effectively to OFF
It is very likely that users will see the transmitter power going up and down some as the battery voltage goes up and down. We hope it's not too often, and adjustments will be made after collecting some telemetry over the next few days. Our goal has always been to keep it ON and useable as much as possible, and we'll do our best to continue that tradition.
Activity reports over the next few weeks to http://oscar.dcarr.org/ (or to me at n8mh AT amsat.org if Ao-51 appears to be OFF) will be very much appreciated.
And finally--telemetry files (KISS format preferred) from around the world will be greatly appreciated for the next few weeks!
On behalf of the AO-51 Command Team,
Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]