SB NEWS @ AMSAT $SPC0328
* SpaceNews 28-Mar-94 *
 
 
BID: $SPC0328
 
 
                               =========
                               SpaceNews
                               =========
 
 
                        MONDAY MARCH 28, 1994
 
 
SpaceNews originates at KD2BD in Wall Township, New Jersey, USA.  It is
published every week and is made available for unlimited distribution.
 
 
* ITAMSAT PROBLEM *
===================
Earlier this month, the PSK modulation on the primary ITAMSAT transmitter 
became more and more difficult to decode.  A residual carrier and lower 
output power seem to indicate a failure in the PSK balanced modulator, 
being worse at the current low power setting.  Increasing the power level
makes the demodulation better but is not acceptable due to power budget 
constraints.  Ground controllers decided to switch to the secondary PSK
trasmitter on 435.822 MHz.  The first two passes over Italy confirmed the 
correct operation of the spacecraft and WOD are being taken to analyze the 
performance of the satellite in this new configuration.  The BBS is working 
as usual and status bulletins are uploaded to the satellite.
 
73 de ITAMSAT (IO-26) Command Team
 
[Info via Alberto E. Zagni, I2KBD]
 
 
* CLEMENTINE IMAGES AVAILABLE *
===============================
Recent images of the Moon that were downlinked by the Clementine spacecraft 
are available by ftp or email across the Internet.  For those with ftp 
access, simply ftp to clementine.s1.gov [128.15.32.9] and look in the 
directories under pub/clementine/images.  For those with email only, send 
a message to ftpmail@clementine.s1.gov with a blank subject line and text 
of "help" only.  The email server can provide directory listings and 
uuencoded binary files such as GIF images.
 
[Info via Walt, KE3HP]
 
 
* OSCAR-13 MODE-S EXTRA BEACON *
================================
In response to requests, the Mode-S session now includes 2 MAs beacon at 
the start.  Mode-B is unaffected.  The revised schedule is:
 
M QST *** AO-13 TRANSPONDER SCHEDULE ***  1994 Mar 19-Apr 04
Mode-B  : MA   0 to MA  90 |
Mode-BS : MA  90 to MA 120 |
Mode-S  : MA 120 to MA 122 |<- S beacon only
Mode-S  : MA 122 to MA 145 |<- S transponder; B trsp. is OFF
Mode-S  : MA 145 to MA 150 |<- S beacon only
Mode-BS : MA 150 to MA 180 |        Alon/Alat 180/0
Mode-B  : MA 180 to MA 256 |
Omnis   : MA 230 to MA  30 | Move to attitude 235/0, Apr 04 
 
 
[Info via James Miller G3RUH @ GB7DDX.#22.GBR.EU]   
 
 
* FO-20 SCHEDULE *
==================
The FO-20 command station announced that FO-20 will be placed in Mode JA
(Analog transponder mode) during Field Day 1994 (25-Jun-94 18:00 UTC through
26-Jun-94 18:00 UTC).
 
The current operating schedule is as follows:
       
Analog mode:
                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 BY1QH and K7YHA for the high praise SpaceNews received in articles
appearing in the April 1994 issues of 73 and Worldradio magazines!  Also
thanks to WA1QYM and DL3HRT for their recent messages of appreciation.
 
 
* MESSAGES de KD2BD *
=====================
G8MWF: Please re-send your WXSAT article.  I lost the disk I had it saved
to.  :-(
 
 
* 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.
 
 
       <<=- SpaceNews: The first amateur newsletter read in space! -=>> 
 
/EX