Hi Marv,

For the last several weeks AO-16 has been in an orbit that prevents its operation for extended periods. Currently the satellite transmitter won't stay up for more than a minute or two at a time. We are seeing cooler internal temps, and this causes the satellite to reset. What you were hearing was me commanding the PSK transmitter ON and then the satellite shutting itself off (or resetting itself...) When my schedule permits I try to turn the bird ON during afternoon/early evening passes over the east coast of the US. I can't make every day or every pass, but I do what I can. In reality, the bird isn't staying UP long enough to be much use--and you saw that today.

Sadly it looks like this is the way the bird will be for the next several years--unless something in the satellite changes (aging, radiation, etc.) for the better! In all likelihood, it might actually get worse.

To all users: If you hear the satellite "humming", it is in the digital mode. Please do not transmit to the satellite while it is in the digital mode. Rather, wait for the humming to go away and listen for the characteristic carrier, which means that the bird is in "voice mode" and will then support voice operations.

73,

Mark N8MH AO-16 Command Station

Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-16 @ the 21:16 pass

• From: "racer5039" <mailto:[email protected]racer5039@xxxxx>
• Date: Sat, 28 Feb 2009 16:31:05 -0600

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Was it just me or was AO-16 having a problem? It was a very high pass for me @ the 21:16 pass. I could hear a tone of some kind and then it would drop off. No tone or anything I had one conteact but I don't think I got the call right. Think I may have a radio problem...:( Marv. N0FJP

Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]