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- Date: Thu, 23 Dec 93 04:30:44 PST
- From: Ham-Space Mailing List and Newsgroup <ham-space@ucsd.edu>
- Errors-To: Ham-Space-Errors@UCSD.Edu
- Reply-To: Ham-Space@UCSD.Edu
- Precedence: Bulk
- Subject: Ham-Space Digest V93 #119
- To: Ham-Space
-
-
- Ham-Space Digest Thu, 23 Dec 93 Volume 93 : Issue 119
-
- Today's Topics:
- * SpaceNews 20-Dec-93 *
- AEA DSP-2232 Software Update?
- ANS-345 BULLETINS
- HF freqs for Shuttle Audio
- HF shuttle audio feed
- Mars Probe
- Need contacts on AO-21 for WAS
-
- Send Replies or notes for publication to: <Ham-Space@UCSD.Edu>
- Send subscription requests to: <Ham-Space-REQUEST@UCSD.Edu>
- Problems you can't solve otherwise to brian@ucsd.edu.
-
- Archives of past issues of the Ham-Space Digest are available
- (by FTP only) from UCSD.Edu in directory "mailarchives/ham-space".
-
- We trust that readers are intelligent enough to realize that all text
- herein consists of personal comments and does not represent the official
- policies or positions of any party. Your mileage may vary. So there.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Date: Fri, 17 Dec 1993 10:30:56 MST
- From: news.service.uci.edu!usc.edu!math.ohio-state.edu!cyber2.cyberstore.ca!nntp.cs.ubc.ca!cs.ubc.ca!alberta!nebulus!ve6mgs!usenet@network.ucsd.edu
- Subject: * SpaceNews 20-Dec-93 *
- To: ham-space@ucsd.edu
-
- SB NEWS @ AMSAT $SPC1220
- * SpaceNews 20-Dec-93 *
-
- BID: $SPC1220
-
-
- =========
- SpaceNews
- =========
-
-
- MONDAY DECEMBER 20, 1993
-
-
- SpaceNews originates at KD2BD in Wall Township, New Jersey, USA. It is
- published every week and is made available for unlimited distribution.
-
-
- * ITAMSAT-OSCAR-26 NEWS *
- =========================
- After examining the memory dumps taken from IO-26, Alberto Zagni I2KBD
- and Harold Price NK6K have decided to begin the uploading of the high-level
- software to restore IHT (Itamsat Housekeeping Task) capability.
-
- The cause of the crash is still unknown. I2KBD and NK6K are working on
- the memory dumps, but the crash destroyed part of the internal logs kept
- by the high-level software. Since the crash happened as one of the
- Command Stations in Milan was uplinking to the satellite using a new ground
- software (which has not yet been fully tested), there is chance that this
- was the cause of the crash.
-
- The ITAMSAT Command Team has decided not to turn the BBS on after the
- reloading of the software. The Team will start some WOD data collection
- in order to fully optimize the energy budget onboard the satellite.
- This will enable IO-26 to have higher power settings on the downlink.
- Stay tuned on the downlink for any late news!
-
- The ITAMSAT Command Team would like to thank again Harold Price NK6K
- for the great help in debugging the memory dumps and the Eyesat Command
- Team for helping during the initial recovery.
-
- ITAMSAT Command Team can be reached via Internet as i2kbd@amsat.org
- or ik2ovv@amsat.org, and on Compuserve HAMNET.
-
- 73 de Luca Bertagnolio IK2OVV
- ITAMSAT Command Team
-
-
- * AO-21 NEWS *
- ==============
- After corresponding with Peter, DB2OS, Rick, VE4AMU reports that picture
- transmissions may be coming to OSCAR-21 soon. These transmissions will
- be WEFAX compatible, so equipment currently used by ground stations to copy
- Meteosat and NOAA satellites will work with AO-21 transmissions. Image
- uploads to the satellite will be through control stations and will use JPEG
- compression.
-
- [Info via VE4AMU]
-
-
- * OSCAR SKN '94 *
- =================
- YOU'RE INVITED TO THE 22ND ANNUAL "STRAIGHT KEY NIGHT ON OSCAR"
-
- As you know, ARRL has for many years sponsored Straight Key Night on
- New Year's Eve and New Year's Day; it is expected to do so again in 1994.
-
- On New Year's Eve, 1972 (January 1, 1973 UTC), a few of us on the AMSAT
- 75-meter net decided that we would try to combine the best of the old and
- the new in Amateur Radio by operating in Straight Key Night on what was
- then the brand-new communications satellite, AMSAT-OSCAR 6. Since then,
- proud brasspounders have kept the tradition going by operating CW on OSCAR
- using straight keys for at least a little while on every New Year's Day
- (UTC) when there's been an OSCAR to work.
-
- You're most cordially invited to join in the 22nd annual celebration.
- It's entirely informal and unofficial; there are no rules, no scoring and
- no need to send in a log. Just call CQ SKN in the CW passband segment of
- any OSCAR satellite between 0000 and 2359 UTC on January 1, 1994, or answer
- a CQ SKN call from another station. This year, we're changing things a
- little: we'll also count QSOs made via the oldest, largest and most
- reliable communications satellite, OSCAR Zero, otherwise known as the moon.
- AMSAT didn't build it, but we can adopt it! Of course, all SKN operating
- must be done with a straight hand key.
-
- Just as in the ARRL HF version of this event, we're conducting a search
- for the OSCAR SKN operator with the best fist. Please send in a nomination
- of someone you worked; we'll announce the winner or winners via packet
- bulletin. Last year's winners were KB6A, W6HDO and W8JAQ. Nominations may
- be sent To Ray Soifer via packet to W2RS @ WA2SNA.NJ.USA.NA, from Europe
- to W2RS @ GB7HSN.#32.GBR.EU, via Internet to w2rs@amsat.org, or by mail via
- his Callbook address.
-
- [Info via Ray, W2RS]
-
-
- * SEASONS GREETINGS *
- =====================
-
- /\
- //o\
- /o/\x\
- /x/\o\
- /o//\\\\
- ////x\\\o\
- ////o\\\o\
- /ox///\\\\\\
- ///o///\o\x\\\
- /x//o//\\\\ox\
- /o//////\\o\x\\\
- /////x///\\\\\o\\\
- 00
-
- de John, KD2BD
-
-
- * THANKS! *
- ===========
- Thanks to all those who sent messages of appreciation regarding SpaceNews,
- especially:
-
- KZ1Z N3QQB VE4AMU Robert Lyda
-
-
- * 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
-
- --
- John A. Magliacane, KD2BD * /\/\ * Voice : 1-908-224-2948
- Advanced Technology Center |/\/\/\| Packet : KD2BD @ N2KZH.NJ.USA.NA
- Brookdale Community College |\/\/\/| Internet: kd2bd@ka2qhd.ocpt.ccur.com
- Lincroft, NJ 07738 * \/\/ * Morse : -.- -.. ..--- -... -..
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Date: Mon, 20 Dec 1993 12:01:52 -0600
- From: library.ucla.edu!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!cs.utexas.edu!oakhill!val!afarm!fredmail@network.ucsd.edu
- Subject: AEA DSP-2232 Software Update?
- To: ham-space@ucsd.edu
-
- The update was released on Dec 15 or so. It does have up/down control.
- Call AEA for ordering. I think it is $30 plus s/h.
- Ron W5RKN
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1993 12:20:08 GMT
- From: netcomsv!netcom.com!marcbg@decwrl.dec.com
- Subject: ANS-345 BULLETINS
- To: ham-space@ucsd.edu
-
- From: Dave Cowdin <cowdin@pogo.den.mmc.com>
- Subject: ANS-345 BULLETINS
- Newsgroups: local.amsat
- Date: Sun, 12 Dec 1993 17:19:59 -0700 (MST)
-
- SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-345.01
- AO-13 FACES LONG ECLIPSE PERIODS
-
- HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 345.01 FROM AMSAT HQ
- SILVER SPRING, MD DECEMBER 11, 1993
- TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
- BID: $ANS-345.01
-
- AO-13 Experiences Long Solar Eclipse Which Affect Transponder Operations
- James Miller (G3RUH) of the AO-13 Command Team reports that because of the
- long duration of the solar eclipse periods that AO-13 is experiencing, they
- have been forced to severely curtail transponder operations. Some of the
- eclipse periods have been as long as 2 hours. Battery bus voltage has
- become so low that the net affect has been that there has been no battery
- charging from orbit to orbit. The safety threshold on the battery bus
- voltage is currently set 12.6 volts. When the bus voltage drops below 12.6
- volts, the on-board computer shuts down the beacon and brings all the other
- subsystems on AO-13 to a "low-power" state. Currently, with the trans-
- ponders and telemetry beacons turned-off, the total current consumption on
- AO-13 is around 1 ampere. In attempt to remedy this low battery voltage
- problem, the Command Team has made an spacecraft attitude re-adjustment to
- Bahn Longitude 245 degrees and a Bahn Latitude of -5 degrees. But under
- the current solar eclipse circumstances, even this has not been sufficient
- to solve the problem of low battery voltage. So it was necessary to take
- even further steps including turning off all transponder operations on
- AO-13 until between Friday December 10 and Monday December 13, 13-DEC-93
- around 03:28 UTC. It is hoped that this will bring AO-13 through this
- difficult time period, however, there is no guarantee that the above
- actions will be enough. It should be noted that AO-13's batteries are now
- 5 years old and the Command Team feels that is may be necessary to take a
- close look at the battery charging software and presets to determine if
- they need to be adjusted for the age of the batteries.
-
- It is requested that all AO-13 users keep a close "ear" to the telemetry
- beacons which can be heard on a downlink frequency 145.812 MHz or 2400.646
- MHz for the latest information on the transponder schedule.
-
- The Command Team is always interested in hearing from the user any
- "constructive feedback" about AO-13 transponder operations.
-
- The AO-13 Command Team ccurrnetlu consists of the following:
-
- Peter DB2OS @ DB0FAU
- James G3RUH @ GB7DDX
- Graham VK5AGR @ VK5WI
-
- [The AMSAT News Service (ANS) would like to thank G3RUH for the information
- which went into this bulletin item.]
-
- /EX
- SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-345.02
- IO-26 SUFFERS OBC CRASH
-
- HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 345.02 FROM AMSAT HQ
- SILVER SPRING, MD DECEMBER 11, 1993
- TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
- BID: $ANS-345.02
-
- IK2OVV Explains the IO-26 On-Board-Computer (OBC) Crash
-
- After 45 days of uninterrupted BBS service on IO-26, on 8-DEC-93 at
- approximately 11:30 UTC, ITAMSAT IO-26 suffered a crash during a pass over
- Europe. IO-26 is now in an undefined status, with its trasmitter on but no
- MBL telemetry; the Command Team will try to regain control of the satellite
- in the next passes over Europe. The cause of the crash is still unclear;
- the Command Team is investigating on some new software used to access the
- BBS services. In the past, some other MICROSATs crashes were due to bugs
- found in the user software. ITAMSAT Command Team, while recommending users
- not to uplink to the satellite at this time, would like to receive reports
- about IO-26, especially regarding the presence of just the HDLC flags on
- the downlink or some sort of telemetry, either MBL or PHT style. However,
- after examining the memory dumps taken from IO-26, Alberto Zagni (I2KBD)
- and Harold Price (NK6K) have decided to begin the uploading of the high-
- level software to restore IHT (ITAMSAT Housekeeping Task) capability.
- The cause of the crash is still unknown; I2KBD and NK6K are working on
- the memory dumps, but the crash destroyed part of the internal logs kept
- by the high-level software. Since the crash happened as one of the Ground
- Command Stations in Milan was uplinking to the satellite using a new ground
- software (which has not yet been fully tested), there is chance that this
- was the cause of the crash. The ITAMSAT Command Team has decided not to
- turn the BBS on after the reloading of the software; the Team will start
- some Whole Orbit Data (WOD) collection in order to fully optimize the
- energy budget onboard the satellite. This will enable IO-26 to have higher
- power settings on the downlink. It is estimated that the high-level
- software will be working by this soon; stay tuned on the downlink for any
- news!
-
- The ITAMSAT Command Team would like to thank again Harold Price (NK6K)
- for the great help in debugging the memory dumps and the Eyesat Command
- Team for helping during the initial recovery.
-
- ITAMSAT Command Team can be reached via Internet as i2kbd@amsat.org
- or ik2ovv@amsat.org, and on Compuserve HAMNET.
-
- 73 de Luca Bertagnolio IK2OVV
- ITAMSAT Command Team
-
- /EX
- SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-345.03
- AMSAT OPS NET SCHEDULE
-
- HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 345.03 FROM AMSAT HQ
- SILVER SPRING, MD DECEMBER 11, 1993
- TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
- BID: $ANS-345.03
-
- Current AMSAT Operations Net Schedule For AO-13
-
- AMSAT Operations Nets are planned for the following times. Mode-B Nets
- are conducted on AO-13 on a downlink frequency of 145.950 MHz. If, at the
- start of the OPS Net, the frequency of 145.950 MHz is being used for a QSO,
- OPS Net enthusiasts are asked to move to the alternate frequency of 145.955
- MHz.
-
- Date UTC Mode Phs NCS Alt NCS
-
- 3-Jan-94 0200 B 160 WA5ZIB N7NQM
-
- Any stations with information on current events would be most welcomed.
- Also, those interested in discussing technical issues or who have questions
- about any particular aspect of OSCAR statellite operations, are encouraged
- to join the OPS Nets. In the unlikely event that either the Net Control
- Station (NCS) or the alternate NCS do not call on frequency, any
- participant is invited to act as the NCS.
-
- **************************************
-
- Slow Scan Television on AO-13
-
- SSTV sessions will be held on immediately after the OPS Nets a downlink
- on a Mode-B downlink frequency 145.960 MHz.
-
- /EX
- SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-345.04
- WEEKLY OSCAR STATUS REPORTS
-
- HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 345.04 FROM AMSAT HQ
- SILVER SPRING, MD DECEMBER 11, 1993
- TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
- BID: $ANS-345.04
-
- Weekly OSCAR Status Reports: 11-DEC-93
-
- AO-13: Current Transponder Operating Schedule:
- L QST *** AO-13 TRANSPONDER SCHEDULE *** 1993 Nov 15-Jan 31
- Mode-B : MA 0 to MA 95 ! / Eclipses, max
- Mode-B : MA 95 to MA 180 ! OFF Dec 07 - 24. < duration 136
- Mode-B : MA 180 to MA 218 ! \ minutes.
- Mode-S : MA 218 to MA 220 !<- S beacon only
- Mode-S : MA 220 to MA 230 !<- S transponder; B trsp. is OFF
- Mode-BS : MA 230 to MA 256 ! Blon/Blat 240/-5
- Omnis : MA 250 to MA 150 ! Move to attitude 180/0, Jan 31
- [G3RUH/DB2OS/VK5AGR]
-
- FO-20: The following is the FO-20 operating schedule:
- Analog mode: 15-Dec-93 07:41 -to- 22-Dec-93 8:05 UTC
- Digital mode: otherwise noted above. [JJ1WTK]
-
- IO-26: ITAMSAT sufferred a system crash after 45 days of flawless
- operations. The command team is gathering data to try to determine
- the source of the problem. They state that the transmitter is on,
- but the BBS is not open.
-
- AO-16: Operations are normal. [WH6I]
-
- LO-19: Operations are normal. [WH6I]
-
- KO-23: Functioning normally. There have been some questions regarding
- image files. When WH6I see some images on KITSAT, he trys to list
- them, but files on that satellite are only active for maybe 5-6
- days depending on how much new material is uploaded. Therefore, by
- the time this status report makes it to the ANS status report,
- the files may be gone. Satellite image files on KITSAT have names
- in the form KAI?xxxx where ? is either W or N to indicate a WIDE
- or NARROW view image. The "xxxx" is a serial number. These files
- are about 350Kbytes large and can be seen in the directory in PB by
- hitting F4 to see the list of files generated by the satellite.
- They are usually in pairs with a wide and narrow view file. These
- files are downloaded just like anyother file. The program DISPLAY
- which is often up on the birds willdisplay these images, and it will
- display whatever there is in the xxxx.ACT file of the image, so that
- you can look at a partial download and decide if it is worth
- pursuing. [WH6I]
-
- RS-10: After a period of inactivity, the RS-10 QSO robot is QRV again. The
- downlink is approx 29.403 MHz, and uplink is +/- 145.820 MHz. If
- you are "into" the robot receiver, your CW from the few KHz wide
- passband will be retransmitted on the robot's fixed frequency. The
- speed of your CW response is not important; it just needs to be
- steadily and cleanly sent. K0BJ notes that he just changed from a
- vertical dipole to a J-pole. It seems so far to be about as bad
- with QSB as the dipole, but the J-pole did seem to peak more in the
- longer, low-elevation parts of the pass. The next experiment K0BJ
- will perform is with a turnstile antenna.
-
- POSAT: CT1ENQ would like to inform that the Portuguese satellite (POSAT) is
- now prepared for amateur radio use. Please contact Portuguese AMSAT
- group, AMSAT-PO, for more information.
-
- The AMSAT NEWS Service (ANS) is looking for volunteers to contribute weekly
- OSCAR status reports. If you have a favorite OSCAR which you work on a
- regular basis and would like to contribute to this bulletin, please send
- your observations to WD0HHU at his CompuServe address of 70524,2272, on
- INTERNET at wd0hhu@amsat.org, or to his local packet BBS in the Denver, CO
- area, WD0HHU @ W0LJF.#NECO.CO.USA.NOAM. Also, if you find that the current
- set of orbital elements are not generating the correct AOS/LOS times at
- your QTH, PLEASE INCLUDE THAT INFORMATION AS WELL. The information you
- provide will be of value to all OSCAR enthusiasts.
-
- /EX
- --
- Marc Grant
- marcbg@netcom.com
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1993 19:15:50 GMT
- From: library.ucla.edu!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!sgiblab!darwin.sura.net!jabba.ess.harris.com!mlb.semi.harris.com!dw3f.ess.harris.com!rstackho@network.ucsd.edu
- Subject: HF freqs for Shuttle Audio
- To: ham-space@ucsd.edu
-
- Does anyone have a freq for HF monitoring of Shuttle Feed?
-
- Please E-mail me directly as I have no direct USnews.
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Date: 22 Dec 93 19:13:00 GMT
- From: ogicse!emory!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!jabba.ess.harris.com!mlb.semi.harris.com!dw3f.ess.harris.com!rstackho@network.ucsd.edu
- Subject: HF shuttle audio feed
- To: ham-space@ucsd.edu
-
- Does anyone know of a freq for HF monitoring of Shuttle Audio Feed?
- Please E-mail me directly since I cannot get directly onto News.
- thanks!
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Date: 15 Dec 93 19:28:38 GMT
- From: agate!howland.reston.ans.net!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!cs.uiuc.edu!news1.oakland.edu!vela.acs.oakland.edu!prvalko@ucbvax.berkeley.edu
- Subject: Mars Probe
- To: ham-space@ucsd.edu
-
- Anytime I hear Uri Geller's name I recall the night he was on Johnie
- Carson's show with "The Amazing" Randi.
-
- Randi and Carson (a respected magician in his own right) set up a bunch
- of items to "test" Geller's real abilities. Carson's crew made sure
- that Geller's henchmen had no access to the equipment prior to the
- program and Geller was humiliated, unable to do even the simplest of his
- so-called powers. He blamed his performance on nervousness, or the
- alignment of the planets or some other hogwash.
-
- If psycics really want to be taken seriously, they would all band
- together and locate JUST ONE of those kids on the milk cartons.
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Date: 22 Dec 1993 17:27:49 GMT
- From: orca.es.com!cnn.sim.es.com!nu.sim.es.com!kohlwey@uunet.uu.net
- Subject: Need contacts on AO-21 for WAS
- To: ham-space@ucsd.edu
-
- Since it looks like AO-21 may be changing modes soon (SpaceNews,
- MONDAY DECEMBER 20, 1993); it's time that I finish Working All States
- on this bird.
-
- I have DELAWARE, IDAHO, MISSISSIPPI, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT and WYOMING left.
-
- I would like to hear from anyone who is willing to give me a contact on AO-21
- from one of these states. If you can't but know someone on the birds from
- these states please e-mail me who they are. If you talk to them ask them to get
- on AO-21!
-
- The uplink is on 435.015 FM and downlink is around 145.990 FM. I have worked
- several mobil stations. A 4 element yagi and 35 watts should get you in on
- the best passes.
-
- 73, Randy, N7SFI
-
- -----------------------------------------------------------
-
- E-MAIL n7sfi@amsat.org
-
- ------------------------------
-
- End of Ham-Space Digest V93 #119
- ******************************
- ******************************
-