FYI, Drew KO4MA

AO-16 PACSAT Update December 3, 2007

After several months of silence, Amsat Oscar 16 (PACSAT) was commanded back ON on November 8, 2007. The satellite is transmitting on TX A at 437.024 MHz (+/- Doppler). Please note this transmitter is LHCP (left hand circular polarity).

Recent attempts to reload the AO-16 satellite operating system and housekeeping tasks have thus far been unsuccessful. Harold Price, NK6K, Jim White, WD0E, Bruce Rahn, WB9ANQ, and Mark Hammond, N8MH are analyzing dumps of the spacecraft memory. This analysis and additional testing will continue for the next week or two before additional attempts to reload the spacecraft are attempted.

AO-16 is, however, very alive and sending MBL telemetry! Thanks to all who have submitted MBL telemetry data. Please continue to send your AO-16 MBL telemetry files in KISS format to: telemetry AT quagliana DOT com. Thanks to Douglas Quagliana, KA2UPW for serving as telemetry coordinator. The AO-16 Command Team is especially interested in telemetry collected while AO-16 transitions into and out of eclipse.

Announcement: Mike Rupprecht, DK3WN, has just released the AO-16 PACSAT MBL telemetry decoder! This very fine decoder may be downloaded from: www.dk3wn.info/files/ao16mbl.zip The program is intuitive, and the output of the KISS telemetry files in graphic format is excellent. Now, AO-16 "telemetry hunters" can view the MBL telemetry files. Thank you, Mike, DK3WN, for the speedy development and release of this useful telemetry tool.

Further announcements and updates from the AO-16 Command Team can be expected in the coming weeks.

Submitted by Mark Hammond, N8MH (on behalf of the AO-16 Command Team).