Hi

I was asking myself lately if there was any new news about P3E project and launch. Here is some info's i get on AMSAT-DL web site.

AMSAT Phase 3E, abbreviated P3E, will become the new satellite to enable stable communications from continent to continent for radio amateurs. The satellite, which is already under construction, should be ready for launch in mid-2007. With its transponders for 145, 435, 1268 and 2400 MHz, it continues the successes of its predecessors AO-10, AO-13 and AO-40. Radio amateurs, who were already active via those satellites, can be active over P3E immediately. Newcomers often already have at hand the most important elements for making radio contacts over the satellite.

P3E is currently being built under the direction of AMSAT-DL by an international team, including groups from Finland, Belgium, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Hungary, AMSAT-NA (USA/Canada) and AMSAT-UK (Great Britain). The mechanical satellite structure is nearly finished and is being prepared for integration of electronic modules. An extensive test phase is planned to start in the spring of 2007.

This info,s is dated on 2006-09-08.

More info's at http://www.p3e-satellite.org/index.pl

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Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE