The RAFT Radar Transponder has been detected. See plot: http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/craft/XP217-PE1ITR4feb07.JPG

Although the 4 milliwatt RAFT Radar Fence oscillator was designed to be heard by the collosal 2 mile long 30 dB gain receive antenna of the Radar Fence across the southern USA, PE1ITR was able to detect the oscillator on his own ground station.

We are still welcoming GOOD OSCAR class AMSAT stations near the RADAR fence across the southern USA (Arizona through Texas to Georgia) who have good 2 meter beams, to command on the RAFT Radar fence transponder so that we can make our first Radar Fence detection. RAFT requires a good 2m beam station to operate it.

The primary objective is for RAFT's radar xponder to HEAR the radar fence as it flies through it. Since this is not detectible here at USNA due to our latitude, we are dependent on volunteer ground stations in the southern USA to activate the RAFT transponder at precisely the correct time to make this detection. There is only one good pass per station in the evening hours and so it is slow going.

But the detection above, gives great confidence in the primary objective..

For more on RAFT's radar Fence Transponder which is a model for future small satellites to be able to detect their own passage through the fence, see the main RAFT web page about half way down the page: http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/raft.html

To see the overall ANDE-RAFT and MARScom operations page see: http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/ande-raft-ops.html

And we still need good ANDE data from the Southern Hemisphere so we can detect the spin rate. Right now, ANDE is in the dark in the Northern Hemisphere. We need data from the Southern Hemisphere. ANDE only wakes 2 seconds every 16 seconds to listen for activity. IF it hears any packets, then it will stay awake for the next minute. While it is awake, it can be used just like PCSAT-1 as an APRS digipeater by all users. And while it is awake, we will also be able to hear telemetry which is what we need.

Hopefully all the 145.825 Igates are listening.

Bob, WB4APR USNA Satellite Lab