SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-283.01 ANS Special Bulletin - AO-51 Configuration for Robot 36 SSTV

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 283.01

From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.

October 9, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-283.01

This weekend (October 11-12) AO-51 will operate in a special mode in anticipation of Richard Garriott's visit to the ISS. Richard's launch is currently scheduled for October 12th, with docking at the ISS on October 14th. Richard plans on being very active from the ISS ham station, including extensive operation with Slow Scan Television (SSTV).

In preparation for this event, AO-51 will be configured with dual repeaters for the weekend of October 11th and 12th. The primary repeater on AO-51 will be configured with an uplink on 1268.700 FM and downlink of 435.300 FM, and will be designated for this period as an SSTV repeater.

Users are encouraged to exchange SSTV images in ROBOT 36 mode, as an opportunity for others to practice receiving SSTV images from space before the ISS activity. Please keep the images transmitted to space-related themes, and to the ROBOT 36 mode. Polite and cour- teous operation among those sharing the uplink is crucial to the success of this mode.

Concurrently, there will be a QRP voice repeater running on 145.880 FM uplink and 435.150 FM downlink. Users are asked to use 10 watts or less, and omnidirectional or handheld antennas only.

Good luck receiving SSTV images this weekend, and from the ISS during Richard Garriott's flight.

AO-51 Primary Repeater, Robot 36 SSTV Mode: 1268.700 MHz FM Uplink 435.300 MHz FM Downlink

AO-51 Secondary Repeater: 145.880 MHz FM Voice Uplink QRP 435.150 MHz FM Voice Downlink

73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations

/EX