Any chance that it will be available for use for the Scout-O-Rama Special Event station (K9BSA) this Saturday, 5/10?

George, KA3HSW

-----Original Message-----

From: "Mark L. Hammond" n8mh@embarqmail.com Sent: May 5, 2008 6:33 AM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-16 currently silent and resting 11:15UTC 5May2008

Hello all,

The weekend presented a chance to gather some telemetry on AO-16. The telemetry looks nominal. Recently, the satellite seems to go silent on a nearly daily basis. Increasing eclipse periods remain a likely explanation, but we remain open to other explanations at this point.

To this end, I have turned AO-16 OFF for a few days to rest and ensure that its batteries will be given a chance to become fully charged. Following its several day rest period, we'll try to conduct more tests to better determine what type of operations that AO-16 is currently able to support.

Please do not transmit to AO-16 until further notice.

73 on behalf of the command team (and Happy Cinco de Mayo!),

Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]