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BID: $SPC0607
=========
SpaceNews
=========
MONDAY JUNE 7, 1993
SpaceNews originates at KD2BD in Wall Township, New Jersey, USA. It
is published every week and is made available for unlimited distribution.
* ARSENE NEWS *
===============
This is the official announcement by Radio Amateur Club de l'Espace that
ARSENE satellite is open for mode S traffic starting Tuesday June 1st,
1993. Linear transponder uplink frequency is 435.100 MHz +/- 8 KHz.
Downlink frequency is centered on 2446.54 MHz. All modes can be used: CW,
SSB, etc... Any report of a QSO via ARSENE is welcome. The Doppler
effect can shift the downlink frequency by a few KHz. The suggested procedure
is to find the actual frequency of the 2446.47 MHz beacon and then make
the correction to find the downlink frequency. Uplink power should not
exceed 500 W to 1KW EIRP as there is a strong AGC into the UHF receiver.
Mode S should remain open until the next announcement.
The VHF telemetry is OFF because ARSENE team is studying the thermal
and energy budgets of mode S while the satellite is inclined at 45 degrees.
At the same time, serious investigations are starting to try to understand
why VHF packet mode is not working. It is hoped that some actions will
be suggested after these investigations.
The keplerian elements for ARSENE are correct in the last AMSAT bulletin
and are repeated here.
ARSENE
1 22654U 93 56 B 93145.00000000 .00000000 00000-0 00000-0 0 85
2 22654 1.0950 130.8800 2939760 137.2680 355.5380 1.42273540 242
Satellite: ARSENE
Catalog number: 22654
Epoch time: 93145.00000000
Element set: 8
Inclination: 1.0950 deg
RA of node: 130.8800 deg
Eccentricity: 0.2939760
Arg of perigee: 137.2680 deg
Mean anomaly: 355.5380 deg
Mean motion: 1.42273540 rev/day
Decay rate: 0.0000e+00 rev/day^2
Epoch rev: 24
Checksum: 214
[Info via Bernard Pidoux, F6BVP]
* AMSAT-OSCAR-13 NEWS *
=======================
L QST *** AO-13 TRANSPONDER SCHEDULE *** 1993 May 31 ->
Mode-B : MA 0 to MA 256 This is a temporary schedule
Omnis : MA 250 to MA 60 while magnetorquing from 210/0
to 120/0 is in progress. When
the Sun angle degrades the ON period will be shortened to
about 160 MA counts centred on best squint, and possibly to
55 MA counts during the poorest Sun angle. Please monitor the
beacon for the latest information. JRM/PG/GRR
M de G3RUH 1993 May 31. Magnetorquing to ALON/ALAT 120/0 via
180/15, 160/15 has commenced. This is a large and slow re-
orientation, as perigee eclipses steal 50% of each torquing
session, and so will take about 10 days. Transponder
performance will sometimes be poor. Magnetorquing is not an
exact science, and when the Sun angle reaches more than the
target maximum of 40 degrees, the mode-B transponder will have
to be restricted to 55 MA counts for a few orbits. 73 James.
N QST 1993 May 31. The transmitter section of Oscar-13's mode-L
transponder appears to have stopped working. No cause has been
established for this. The AGC and Power Output telemetry
both read #FF, and the TX temperature is as per an off
condition. It has exciter power, but possibly not PA power.
Fortunately the mode-L receiver works fine; in conjunction with
mode-S telemetry provides a greatly superior command link than
does mode-B. Thinking continues. 73 G3RUH/DB2OS/VK5AGR.
* MIR NEWS *
============
G3BGM has had several recent conversations with the Mir cosmonauts
who report they have changed frequencies from 145.550 MHz to 145.850 MHz
after much searching for a less congested frequency.
However, it should be pointed out that the new frequency of 145.850 MHz
is within several OSCAR satellite uplink and downlink passbands, so
caution should be excercised when communicating with the Mir cosmonauts
of their new frequency.
In other news, sources indicate that tape recordings made in Mir of Amateur
Radio contacts with ground stations have been played over Moscow Radio.
[Info via G3RWL]
* AMATEUR RADIO NEWS *
======================
On May 7 Joint Resolution S.J. 90 was introduced in the U.S. Senate
by Sen. Charles Robb of Virginia. It's a bill recognizing the
achievements of radio amateurs.
Robb, saying that words without deeds are empty, went further. The
resolution, supporting amateurs "as national policy," urges "adoption of
rules and regulations that encourage the use of new technologies within
the Amateur Radio Service."
It also "urges that any regulations which are necessary at any level of
government be crafted in ways that facilitate and encourage amateur radio
operation as a public benefit ... without limiting the decision-making
capability of any agency -- local, State or Federal.
Robb was joined in introducing the resolution by Senators Akaka of Hawaii,
DeConcini of Arizona, Pressler of South Dakota, and Shelby of Alabama.
Robb noted amateurs' dedicated public service during communications
emergencies, their "expertise" as "technical innovators," and their
development of "practical and affordable alternatives to complicated
expensive new equipment from the laboratories."
The resolution also cites amateurs' pioneering work in satellite
communications and "low-cost, practical data transmission by radio."
The resolution urges the FCC to adopt rules and regulations to "encourage
the use of new technologies within the amateur radio service," and says
"reasonable accommodation should be made for the effective operation of
amateur radio from residences, private vehicles and public areas, and that
regulation at all levels of government should facilitate and encourage
amateur radio operation as a public benefit."
[Info via ARRL Headquarters]
* THANKS! *
===========
Thanks to all those who sent messages of appreciation regarding SpaceNews,
especially:
N1MDZ W2UH LU6FRT N6BIS AF9A Jon A. Dainty
* 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
UUCP : ...catfish.ocpt.ccur.com!ka2qhd!kd2bd
PACKET : KD2BD @ NN2Z.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