Hello, everyone,
I watched DEFLI-C3 just now, listen to it and try to decode with RASCAL.
During this pass, the sound suddenly went out about 11:27UTC.
The LOS was about 11:32UTC.
I could not decode any data.
What happened?
Masahiro SANADA JI1IZR
Hello, Sanada-san --
Delfi has no batteries on board; it works entirely from its solar panels. It appears that at present it sometimes gets in an attitude, or position, where its panels do not generate sufficient voltage (or current?) and it shuts down. In addition, sometimes the audio quality of the BPSK transmission degrades; I've assumed that this is a related problem.
Often, it will restart half a minute later, so keep listening to the pass.
I believe that this is a problem the control team understands and is going to try to address, but naturally they are being very cautious.
A longer pass helps a great deal with getting used to tuning the signal. Start by tuning for the strongest signal on your s-meter, then tweak it from there. Don't keep moving the tuning around, because RASCAL needs some time to get a lock.
73, Bruce VE9QRP
On Thu, May 8, 2008 at 8:39 AM, ji1izr/Masahiro SANADA ji1izr@jamsat.or.jp wrote:
Hello, everyone,
I watched DEFLI-C3 just now, listen to it and try to decode with RASCAL.
During this pass, the sound suddenly went out about 11:27UTC.
The LOS was about 11:32UTC.
I could not decode any data.
What happened?
Masahiro SANADA JI1IZR
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Bruce and the rest of BB
You are right: we know about this and the two are related. See an earlier report from Wouter Jan Ubbels PE4WJ on the BB I quote: " 2. We are aware of the transmitter distortion and drop outs occurring. These two are related, and are not related to the transmitter itself, but are the result of a power / attitude issue combined with the way our Electrical Power System works. Thanks to all your reports we now have a clear view of what is happening, and are in the process of taking corrective actions while the s/c is over our groundstation. We are taking these actions step by step so the phenomenon will continue to occur over the coming days. Your reports on this phenomenon are welcome. " Unquote
So we are working on it and taking it VERY VERY slow. we do not want to loose the bird! Everyone keep sending in DATA and pass reports, it is very valuable to us! Thanks!
best 73
Wouter Weggelaar PA3WEG (Proud!) Delfi-C3 Team member
On Thu, May 8, 2008 at 5:20 PM, Bruce Robertson ve9qrp@gmail.com wrote:
Hello, Sanada-san --
Delfi has no batteries on board; it works entirely from its solar panels. It appears that at present it sometimes gets in an attitude, or position, where its panels do not generate sufficient voltage (or current?) and it shuts down. In addition, sometimes the audio quality of the BPSK transmission degrades; I've assumed that this is a related problem.
Often, it will restart half a minute later, so keep listening to the pass.
I believe that this is a problem the control team understands and is going to try to address, but naturally they are being very cautious.
A longer pass helps a great deal with getting used to tuning the signal. Start by tuning for the strongest signal on your s-meter, then tweak it from there. Don't keep moving the tuning around, because RASCAL needs some time to get a lock.
73, Bruce VE9QRP
On Thu, May 8, 2008 at 8:39 AM, ji1izr/Masahiro SANADA ji1izr@jamsat.or.jp wrote:
Hello, everyone,
I watched DEFLI-C3 just now, listen to it and try to decode with RASCAL.
During this pass, the sound suddenly went out about 11:27UTC.
The LOS was about 11:32UTC.
I could not decode any data.
What happened?
Masahiro SANADA JI1IZR
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
participants (3)
-
Bruce Robertson -
ji1izr/Masahiro SANADA -
wouter weggelaar