Some people have reported difficulty getting into the BrnoUniversity PSK31 HF uplink on PSAT(NO84) and we just realized that such reports could be valuable data that we have been ignoring.!

For our next HFSAT we want to explore how often the ionosphere bends the uplink down below the satelite and any given station is unable to get in even though their tracking program shows them the satelite is in view. We just realized we can get all this data simply by monitoring the PSAT transponder and when people see AOS and LOS.

WHen we are looking for success (DX via the transponder) it is human nature to ignore passes that didn't work. But in this case, that is the science data that is more interesting.

But then there is also another problem with "negative reslts" is that you have now way of knowing if the resason you got negative results was becuase of a vist by Murphy or because in fact, the negative effect you are looking for was the cause.

So the best data is from a relatively high pass where you domt start seeing your downlink until the satelite gets above X degrees elevation and then gets strong and then fades out below Y elevation on the other side.

An ideal report might be something like:

DATE, STARTTIME, AOS angle, Max angle/AZ, LOS angle, ENDTIME, SUn AZ/EL

The sun direction will be helpful in explainign difference in AOS and LOS elevation angles.

Its just an idea if aonyone wants to dabble in some Ham Science...

Bob, WB4APR