SB NEWS @ AMSAT $SPC0307
* SpaceNews 07-Mar-94 *
 
BID: $SPC0307
 
 
                               =========
                               SpaceNews
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                        MONDAY MARCH 7, 1994
 
 
SpaceNews originates at KD2BD in Wall Township, New Jersey, USA.  It is
published every week and is made available for unlimited distribution.
 
 
* AO-13 MODE S REPORT *
=======================
With its new operating schedule, AO-13 is now seeing increased activity 
during its Mode BS and S periods from users of the 2.4 GHz transponder.  
With 4 hours available per orbit, listeners to the S band transmitter are 
enjoying strong signals and noise free reception.
 
Antennas are mainly small dishes from 0.6m to 1m diameter although some 
stations are successfully using loop Yagis.  With a 1m dish on receive and 
a single 19 element yagi on 435, good results can be achieved with 10 to 20 
watts.
 
Stations having good signals on 2.4 GHz last week included:
 
N2IQU   G0ONA   ZS6JT   VE3GTF  JA7EC   PT9FH   OE6DGV   TI5RLI  VK6BMD
 
[Info via David, G0MRF]
 
 
* RS SATELLITE NEWS *
=====================
The following information is supplied by Andy, RK3KPK, the operator of RS3A, 
the RS satellite command station:
 
RS10: Operating normally in Mode A: 145.860 -145.900 MHz uplink
                                     29.360 - 29.400 MHz downlink
             Autotransponder "Robot" .........145.820 MHz uplink
                                              29.403 MHz downlink
Very good activity CW from DL,YO,G, HB - (swl RK3KPK),
Also it is possible to use special channel...145.850 MHz uplink
                                          ... 29.350 MHz downlink
 
RS12: Operating normally in Mode K:  21.210 - 21.250 MHz uplink
                                     29.410 - 29.450 MHz downlink
             Autotransponder "Robot" .........21.130 MHz uplink
                                          ... 29.454 MHz downlink
 
Please send QSL cards for "Robot" contacts to RK3KPK direct (SAE + I.R.C.):
Andrey Mironow, ul. V-Voloshinoj, d.11, kv.72
station Perlovskaya, 141014, Russia, CIS   
 
or via DF4XW.
 
RS15: We are waiting for the launch of this satallite this spring.
      The main frequencies of RS15 are: 
                                  Mode A:      145.857 - 145.897 MHz Uplink
                                                29.357 -  29.397 MHz Downlink
                                Beacon 1:       29.398 MHz
                                Beacon 2:       29.351 (???) MHz
      Power beacons low/high....................... 0.4 - 1.2 Watt
      Output of transponder ....................... about 5 Watts
      Inclination.................................. about 67 degrees
      Height of orbit.............................. 2,300 Km
      Weight of satellite.......................... about 50 Kg                                     
      Antenna...................................... dipoles
      Memory of RS................................. about 2 Kb
      
RK3KPK would like to hear about your DX contacts via the RS satellites.
For example, Andy had a DX contact with YV3... via RS6 in 1982!!!  A QSL is 
fine.  Has anyone had better DX?
                                  
Comments to Andy should be directed via his packet radio address: 
RK3KPK@RK3KP.RUS.EU or RK3KPK@RS3A.RUS.EU.
 
 
* DOVE OSCAR-17 NEWS *
======================
The DOVE spacecraft continues to transmit satellite telemetry and news items
using an AX.25 packet radio format.  Shlomo, 4X4LF, in Israel provided the
following beacon reception:
 
DOVE-1>BRAMST [02/20/94  19:33:28] <UI>:
19th Feb 1994
 
DOVE reports have been received from :
 
KB4CYC KB5YVF KB7QLY KC1WD  KC2SF
KC3H   KC4ZRH KC6ROL KB2BD  KD4GAR
KD4GHQ KD4SHL KD4UPF KD6NEW KI0G
KM6JV  KMA1JL KR5J   KX7L   LA5VX
 
This will change in 3 Days
 
[vk7zbx]
 
Too bad they got my callsign wrong.  :-) 
 
 
* FO-20 SCHEDULE *
==================
The FO-20 command station announced that a slight malfunction in the onboard 
command system had been detected.  As a result, analog mode operation 
arranged from 09-Feb-94 will be performed on schedule, but there is a 
possibility of interruption due to satellite ground station control.
 
The present schedule is as announced before:
       
Analog mode:
             09-Mar-94 07:05 -to- 16-Mar-94 07:30 UTC
             23-Mar-94 07:52 -to- 30-Mar-94 08:15 UTC
 
Digital mode: Unless otherwise noted above.
 
[Info via Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK]
 
 
* THANKS! *
===========
Thanks to all those who sent QSL cards, letters, and messages of 
appreciation regarding SpaceNews, especially:
 
        KC1CO   N2SMP   
 
 
* FEEDBACK/INPUT WELCOMED *
===========================
Mail to SpaceNews should be directed to the editor (John, KD2BD) via any
of the following paths:
 
FAX      : 1-908-747-7107
PACKET   : KD2BD @ N2KZH.NJ.USA.NA
INTERNET : kd2bd@ka2qhd.ocpt.ccur.com  -or- kd2bd@amsat.org
 
MAIL     : John A. Magliacane, KD2BD
           Department of Engineering and Technology
           Advanced Technology Center
           Brookdale Community College
           Lincroft, New Jersey  07738
           U.S.A.
 
 
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/EX