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HAM RADIO INFORMATION SHUTTLE AMATEUR RADIO EXPERIMENT (SAREX) SAREX-II-01 is a secondary payload on STS-35, currently scheduled for launch on May 9, 1990. It will be located in the Aft Flight Deck of the Space Shuttle Columbia. Ron Parise, WA4SIR, the Payload Specialist and astronomer on Columbia will be the Astronaut ham operator, using Configuration C, explained in the Payload Description section below. SAREX-II-02 is a secondary payload on STS-37, currently scheduled for launch on November 1, 1990. It will be located in the Aft Flight Deck of the Space Shuttle Atlantis. Ken Cameron, KB5AWP, the pilot of Atlantis will be the Astronaut ham operator, using Configuration D, explained in the Payload Description section below. The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the customer on the SAREXII payloads. NASA gave its authorization for SAREX operations for the following reasons: To encourage our youth to become excited about science and technology, and To familiarize large numbers of the general public with manned space flight NASA's intent in making astronauts available for SAREX operations is to involve the largest possible numbers of people, particularly youngsters, in Amateur Radio and the US space program. With Amateur Radio Clubs and hams, our astronauts will speak over the ham airwaves directly with large groups of students, showing teachers, parents and communities how Amateur Radio energizes youngsters about science, technology, and learning. You can easily become a part of this activity in your local schools, as the astronauts will operate the SAREX equipment on the 2-meter band. You will be able to send and receive messages via packet for periods of about 12 hours daily. The astronauts' work schedules will determine your chances for a voice or television message, but Ron and Ken may have an hour or more each day for these modes. The Johnson Space Center's Amateur Radio Club station, W5RRR, in Houston, Texas, will re-transmit astronaut's signals to WA3NAN, at Goddard Space Flight Center, in Greenbelt, MD (near Washington, DC), and to W6VIO, at the Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, CA. These stations, plus W1AW and several VHF and UHF repeater groups, will re-transmit the signals on most amateur bands so that you and the students can copy the communications. You will hear NASA Mission Commentary, frequent bulletins to advise listeners of astronaut-planned transmissions, and all amateur two-way voice and amateur television transmissions with the shuttles. Using a simple hand-held transceiver, you can open the world of science to hundreds of youngsters. Students themselves can take part in the shuttle flight via a packet message, and some will even be able to talk directly to the astronauts in orbit. ARRL and AMSAT are co-sponsoring these exciting missions, with AMSAT heading up technical operations. Hundreds of Amateur Radio operators have already been working behind the scenes for months. The ARRL takes the lead with information and educational support. ARRL Educational Activities Branch (EAB) and NASA HQ will create lesson plans for teachers. All you need to provide is a 2-meter rig or a packet radio setup. If you are a teacher or instructor, contact ARRL EAB to get everything you will need and regular news updates. If you are a parent or a grandparent, contact ARRL EAB and a local school. EAB will send you materials, including ways to convince teachers and school administrators that Amateur Radio is an important discipline the school should take advantage of on a full-time basis. This a tremendous opportunity for you to showcase SAREX 1990 and Amateur Radio to kids of all ages in a big way. Plan on being a part of it; contact ARRL EAB now and give your best to our exciting hobby and to our hope for tomorrow: America's youth. The above info can be found in the February 1990 ARRL magazine QST on page 46. Write to Rosalie White, WA1STO, the ARRL Educational Coordinator at ARRL Headquarters Phone (203) 666-1541, Ask for Rosalie 225 Main St. Newington, CT 06111 Listen to the ARRL Bulletins on W1AW (see QST for CW and voice bulletins) on a daily basis; and to the AMSAT International Satellite Nets on Tuesdays, 3.840 MHz, 0130Z to 0300Z, and on Sundays, 14.282 MHz, 1800Z to 2100Z, +/- QRM. See preliminary Keplerian elements for ASTRO-1, SAREXII-01 and GRO, SAREXII-02 at end of this message. PAYLOAD DESCRIPTION AND MISSION OVERVIEW This section contains a general payload description and a mission overview. It is not intended to specify requirements or constraints that should be specified in other sections. Payload Description Configuration A - SAREX-II configuration A consists of a suite of amateur radio equipment, much of which was flown previously on STS-51 F and prior to that as a reduced capability configuration (configuration B) on STS-9. Configuration A is comprised of a low power handheld Frequency Modulation (FM) transceiver, a pare battery set, an Interface (I/F) module, an SAREX headset assembly, an equipment assembly cabinet, a Television (TV) camera and monitor, a Payload General Support Computer (PGSC) and an antenna capable of being mounted in one of the Orbiter's flight deck windows. The equipment assembly houses power supplies, a Slow Scan Television (SSTV) converter, a packet radio Terminal Node Controller (TNC) and switches and displays necessary to control the equipment as well as connectors to connect it to other equipment comprising configuration A. SAREX-II configuration A is capable of communicating with amateur radio stations within Line Of Sight (LOS) of the Orbiter in any one of three modes, e.g., voice, SSTV or data. In the latter two modes, the equipment can be operated either attended or unattended. In the attended method of operation, the operator manually provides the equipment with TV pictures (using the TV camera) or computer data (using the PGSC keyboard) and observes the TV picture on the monitor or printed text via the PGSC screen. In the unattended method of operation, the operator sets up the equipment, turns the equipment on and selects the operating mode. The operator then attends to other duties with only occasional observation of the SAREX-II equipment operation. The function of each of the SAREX-II configuration A equipment suite is summarized as follows: a. Handheld transceiver - Receives and transmits FM voice, SSTV or packet radio signals in the two meter (144 to 146 MHz) Amateur Band. b. I/F module - Serves to provide a means of interconnecting the SAREX-II equipment with the standard crew microphone/headset or the SAREX headset assembly and standard crew personal tape recorder. The I/F module also interconnects the handheld transceiver with the equipment assembly cabinet. c. Equipment assembly cabinet - Houses the SSTV converter, packet radio TNC, power supplies and switches, displays and connectors. 1. SSTV converter - Takes normal TV from the camera or Shuttle TV distribution system and makes still pictures which can be transmitted in a voice bandwidth radio circuit and takes still TV frames transmitted up on a voice bandwidth radio circuit and converts them for viewing on a standard TV monitor. 2. Packet TNC - Interconnects a computer with a radio transceiver so that data to and from the computer is transmitted to and received from other stations in bursts of characters using a special amateur developed protocol. This protocol includes error correction and station addressing features. d. TV camera - Allows scenes in the Orbiter as well as external scenes available through the various windows to be televised and sent to the SSTV converter. e. TV monitor - Allows viewing of TV pictures from the SSTV converter. f. Antenna - Permits the radio signals to and from the handheld transceiver to be transmitted and received through one of the Orbiter's windows while limiting the leakage of Radiofrequency (RF) energy into the cabin. g. PGSC - Serves as a data terminal for the packet radio portion of the experiment. h. Associated cables - Interconnect the various pieces of equipment making up the SAREX-II configuration A suite of equipment. i. SAREX headset assembly. j. Personal tape recorder - to record contacts. Configuration B - SAREX-II configuration B consists only of the handheld transceiver, I/F module, spare battery set, SAREX headset assembly, personal tape recorder, and the window antenna. It is capable only of exchanging voice communications with amateur stations within LOS of the Orbiter. Configuration B can be operated only in the attended mode. Configuration C - SAREX-II configuration C consists of the handheld transceiver, I/F module, PGSC, spare battery set, window antenna, packet module, SAREX headset assembly, personal recorder, and the required cable assemblies. The packet module contains a power supply and packet TNC. The power supply provides power for the TNC and the handheld transceiver. The TNC interconnects with a radio transceiver so that data to and from the computer is transmitted to and received from other amateur rado stations. Configuration C is capable of operating in either the voice or data mode in communications with amateur stattions within LOS of the Orbiter. This configuration can be operated in the attended mode for voice communication and either the attended or automatic mode for data communications. Configuration D - SAREX-II configuration D is the same as configuration A except that a Fast Scan Television (FSTV) module is added to the antenna assembly. The FSTV module contains a receiving RF preamplifier and a video decoder that provides NTSC video for SAREX-II. This configuration communicates with amateur stations within LOS of the Orbiter in one of four modes, e.g., voice, SSTV, data, or FSTV. The voice mode is operated in the attended mode while SSTV, data, or FSTV can be operated in either the attended or unattended mode. Note 1: This band is also part of the Amateur Satellite Service frequency allocations established on a worldwide basis by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). Mission Overview Integrated Ground Operations.- After the payload is initially prepared, it is transported to the Orbiter integration facility. The payload is installed in the Orbiter at the launch pad. Flight Operations.- Operation in-flight will be limited to usage during off-duty hours by licensed crewmembers. Upon completion of in-flight operation activities, the equipment will be returned to its flight stowage position(s) for landing. Postlanding.- After landing, the payload is removed from the Orbiter and returned to the customer at JSC. MISSION OPERATIONS The mission operations section includes a definition of requirements and constraints by mission phase. Payload Control Parameters The payload control weight and payload control dimensions define the maximum weight and dimensions of the payload for NSTS mission planning purposes. A payload may not exceed its control weight or control dimensions without NSTS approval. The payload control weights are as follows: Configuration A 60 lb (27.21 kg) Configuration B 35 lb (15.90 kg) Configuration C 45 lb (20.41 kg) Configuration D 70 lb (31.75 kg) All configuration A and D payload equipment, except the window antenna, will be stowed in one and one half middeck locker volumes. The window antenna will be stowed in the Orbiter window shade bag. All configuration B and C payload equipment, except the window antenna, will be stowed in one half locker volume. The window antenna will be stowed in the Orbiter window shade bag. For configurations A, C, and D a PGSC can be used to provide the middeck SPOC function which would eliminate the requirement to carry a second SPOC. In this configuration SAREX-II would be operated on a non-interference basis with SPOC requirements. Operational Requirements and Constraints The following payload operational requirements and constraints will be used in the flight planning and implementation of the STS/payload mission. Requirements that impose flight design and/or crew activity constraints will be implemented to the extent practical within primary payload objectives or mission objectives as determined by the NSTS. Launch Readiness - Prelaunch Constraints: a. The payload will be in final lift-off configuration when installed in the Orbiter. At this time, the payload will be capable of sustaining this configuration indefinitely without access or NSTS support. Launch Commit Criteria: The payload will not constrain launch. On-orbit.- All SAREX-II operations will be conducted in the 2 m (144 to 146 MHz) Amateur Satellite Service band utilizing FM with a nominal frequency deviation of 5 kHz. The specific frequencies to be used are contained in annex 1. Operating times for the SAREX-II payload will be such as to not interfere with any other planned mission activities. The payload operating times will be logged via the standard crew personal tape recorder or the PGSC, as appropriate. The customer will identify the desired ground locations expected to be used for SAREX-II payload operations prior to the flight. PRELIMINARY SAREX ELEMENTS STS-35, ASTRO-1 Epoch time: 90129.25347223 9 May 90 -6:05:00:000 UTC Element set: JSC-006 Inclination: 28.4690 deg RA of Assending Node: 130.7008 deg Space Shuttle Flight Eccentricity: .0005720 STS-35 Pre-launch flight Arg of perigee: 246.6067 deg profile Keplerian Elements Mean anomaly: 119.6564 deg Launch: 5/9/90 04:50 UTC Mean motion: 15.71792660 rev/day Decay rate: 3.1 E-04 rev/day 2 W5RRR Epoch rev: 2 NASA Johnson Space Center STS-37, GRO, SAREXII-02 Epoch time: 90305.68520255 1 Nov 90 16:26:41:500 UTC Element set: JSC-002 Inclination: 28.4616 deg Space Shuttle Flight RA of Ascending Node: 99.7418 deg STS-37 Pre-launch flight Eccentricity: .0010911 profile Keplerian Elements Arg of perigee: 295.9904 deg Launch: 11/1/90 15:10 UTC Mean anomaly: 73.6488 deg Mean motion: 15.37258192 rev/day W5RRR Decay rate: 2.3 E-04 rev/day 2 NASA Johnson Space Center Epoch rev: 2 Element sets provided by Gil Carman, WA5NOM, JSC ARC, W5RRR President Watch for updates on the ARRL and AMSAT Packet BBS and the Nets. Ed Stluka, W4QAU 2/27/90 Note to amateur radio operators: If Shuttle transmissions are being rebroadcast in your area, give us the frequencies in a note when you log off NASA Spacelink. We'll add your note to this document. Response(s) to the note above: ========NASA/SPACELINK MESSAGE======= 10-MAR-89 14:30:04 From: N6GOZ Logged on port: @CON5 ---------MESSAGE FROM USER----------- AS AN ADDITION TO YOUR HAM RADIO FREQUENCIES INFORMATION YOU MIGHT INCLUDE TH E FACT THAT PEOPLE IN THE GREATER SAN FRANSISCO BAY ARE AND SACRAMENTO CAN VI EW THEMISSION VIA THE W6NKF AMATEUR TELEVISION REPEATER ON MT.DIABLO WHICH OP ERATES ON 427.250 MHZ WITH THE ANTENNA POLARIZATION BEING VERTICAL.THOSE WITH CABLE READY TV'S VCR'S OR CABLE CO MPANY BOXES CAN TUNE THIS EQUIPMENT TO CH ANNEL 58 IN THE CATV FORMAT AND BY HOOKING UP AN OUTSIDE TV ANTENNA SHOULD BE ABLE TO RECEIVE THE TELECAST.THIS MAKES THE SERVICE AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC INCLUDING SCHOOLS,COLLEGES ETC. ============END OF MESSAGE=========== ========NASA/SPACELINK MESSAGE======= 11-MAR-89 18:29:30 From: RYAN Logged on port: @CON3 ---------MESSAGE FROM USER----------- SHUTTLE AUDIO IS RETRANSMITTED IN THE MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA ON 145.150 MHZ DURING ALL SHUTTLE FLIGHTS. ADDITIONALLY, DURING SOME FLIGHTS, THE AUDIO IS ALSO RETRANSMITTED BY THE 3M ARC REPEATER (WB0BQG/R) ON 147.12 MHZ. ============END OF MESSAGE=========== ========NASA/SPACELINK MESSAGE======= 17-MAR-89 08:39:57 From: DAVERANSOM Logged on port: @CON3 ---------MESSAGE FROM USER----------- IN THE LOS ANGELES AREA, SHUTTLE AIR-TO-GROUND MAY SOMETIMES BE HEARD ON VHF AT 145.46 MHZ. ============END OF MESSAGE=========== 17-MAR-89 08:40:54 ---------MESSAGE FROM USER----------- THE WB4LA REPEATER LOCATED IN DAYTON, OH ON THE FREQUENCY OF 145.11 REBROADCASTS NASA SHUTTLE COVERAGE FROM NASA SELECT. ============END OF MESSAGE=========== 04-MAY-89 19:00:02 HERE IN THE PHOENIX AREA WE ARE RECEIVING SHUTTLE COMMUNICATIONS ON 449.000 MHZ. ============END OF MESSAGE=========== 06-MAY-89 01:15:27 HELLO WAYNE HARRELL WD4LYV WITH THE COASTAL PLAINS AMATEUR RADIO CLUB WE HAVE SHUTTLE AUDIO ON THE WD4EVD REPEATER IN SOUTH GEORGIA REPEATER IS LOCATED AT ASHBURN GA. NEAR I-75 147.285 IS THE FREQ. ============END OF MESSAGE=========== 05-MAY-89 18:58:12 ---------MESSAGE FROM USER----------- DURING STS MISSIONS, NASA SELECT AUDIO IS AVAILABLE ON AMATEUR RADIO REPEATER WD6BNO/R TRANSMITTING ON 52.22 MHZ WITH COVERAGE IN THE CENTRAL SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY, CALIFORNIA. COVERAGE INCLUDES BAKERSFIELD TO STOCKTON. ENJOY!! ============END OF MESSAGE=========== 06-MAY-89 00:42:19 ---------MESSAGE FROM USER----------- HERE IS A FREQUENCY TO ADD TO YOUR HAM LISTINGS OF NASA REBROADCASTS. THE AMES AMATEUR CLUB RE-BROADCASTS NASA SELECT AUDIO ON 145.580 MHZ 2M FM. THE SIGNAL ORIGINATES FROM THE NASA-AMES RESEARCH CENTER IN THE HEART OF THE SILICON VALLEY, MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA. NASA SELECT VIDEO IS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LINE-OF-SIGHT TO BLACK MOUNTAIN VIA AMATEUR TV. FOR ATV DETAILS MAIL TO: AMES AMATEUR CLUB, P.O. BOX 73, MOFFETT FIELD, CA., 94035-0073. ============END OF MESSAGE=========== 10-OCT-89 15:24:36 ---------MESSAGE FROM USER----------- JOHNSON SPACE CENTER SUPPLIES A NASA SELECT AUDIO ON 146.64 MHZ 2M FM (W5RRR REPEATER). ============END OF MESSAGE=========== 10-OCT-89 18:07:44 ---------MESSAGE FROM USER----------- FROM WB4CXD- SHUTTLE AUDIO CAN BE HEARD IN BIRMINGHAM, AL ON 145.38 (DIRECT) AND VIA N4AHN REPEATER ON 145.15 MHZ. ============END OF MESSAGE=========== 10-OCT-89 22:23:49 ---------MESSAGE FROM USER----------- MESSAGE FOR HAM RADIO SECTION: .. IF VISITING THE "MILA" (MERITT ISLAND LAUNCH AREA) AT CAPE CANAVERAL, YOU CAN HEAR LAUNCH, AND AIR-TO-GROUND ON THE K4GCC REPEATER AT 146.94 MHZ. THIS IS A HAM RADIO REPEATER WHICH CARRIES THE "USUAL INANE HAM CHATTER" UNTILL SOMETHING COMES DOWN THE NASA SELECT AUDIO FEED. THEN THE FEED OVERRIDES THE REPEATERS INPUT FREQUENCY, AND THE NASA FEED IS BROADCAST. SO DON'T GET FRUSTRATED THAT THESE RATCHET- JAWS ARE HOGGING THE AIR, IT JUST MEANS NOTHING IS HAPPENNING YET. ============END OF MESSAGE=========== 11-OCT-89 12:57:11 ---------MESSAGE FROM USER----------- NASA SELECT IS ON 444.3 (NN0V) AND 146.40 IN THE CEDAR RAPIDS IOWA AREA. FOR THIS MISSION (STS34) IT HAS BEEN ON 444.3 ONLY. WE KNOW OF QUITE A FEW LISTENERS FOR THIS; ALSO MAY BE ON COX CABLE CH 13 (KTS). ============END OF MESSAGE=========== 18-OCT-89 21:16:09 ---------MESSAGE FROM USER----------- WE WILL BE RETRANSMITTING STS-32 AUDIO IN MAIN VIA HAM RADIO ON 224.84 MHZ K1MON/R MT AGAMENTICUS , YORK MAINE AND 146.925 KA1SSZ/R PORTLAND MAINE ============END OF MESSAGE=========== 16-DEC-89 06:28:36 ---------MESSAGE FROM USER----------- NASA SELECT AUDIO IS REBROADCAST IN THE LOS ANGELES AREA ON THE FOLLOWING FREQUENCIES: 145.46 MHZ 224.04 MHZ 448.825 MHZ NASA SELECT VIDEO IS REBROADCAST FROM THE MT. WILSON REPEATER K6KMN AT A FREQUENCY OF: 1241.25 MHZ ============END OF MESSAGE=========== 21-DEC-89 16:43:13 ---------MESSAGE FROM USER----------- IN WASECA, MINNESOTA,NASA SELECT AUDIO CAN BE FOUND ON 147.45 MHZ. VIDEO IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON 427.25 MHZ. ============END OF MESSAGE=========== 02-JAN-90 23:55:15 ---------MESSAGE FROM USER----------- A "CLEAN" (NO CHATTER OR OTHER TRAFFIC) RETRANSMISSION OF NASA SELECT AUDIO CAN BE HEARD IN THE LOS ANGELES AREA ON 52.640 AND 448.825. THE SAME SIGNALS ARE SUPPLIED T224.940 AND TO THE CACTUS SYSTEM. THE CACTUS SYSTEM USUALLY CARRIES THIS FEED TO THE FOLLOWING AREAS AND FREQUENCIES. SANTA BARBARA 449.000 SAN JOSE 443.550 SAN DIEGO 448.625 & 448.675 EAST DESERT 448.650 LOS ANGELES 449.000 & 448.650 BLYTHE 448.975 PHOENIX 449.000 & 448.975 TUSCON 448.625 SW/SE NEW MEXICO 449.000 ; 448.975 ; 448.675 ; 448.650 ; 448.625 EL PASO 448.650 LAS VEGAS 449.000 CEDAR CITY 448.650 SALT LAKE 448.625 SOME OF THE MORE OUTLYING STATIONS MAY NOT COVER ALL THE MISSION BUT USUALLY ARE ON LINE DURING LAUNCH AND LANDING. OTHER AMATEUR TRAFFIC WILL BE HEARD ALONG WITH THE MISSION AUDIO. DE WA6CDR ============END OF MESSAGE=========== 07-JAN-90 03:56:19 ---------MESSAGE FROM USER----------- IN REGARD TO NASA SELECT REBROADCASTS, IN CENTRAL MINN, 149.200 MHZ ON A BEAM ANTENNA TOWARDS MPLS WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH GOOD COVERAGE WITHIN APPX 120 KM OF MPLS. THIS WAS NOT FOUND TO BE CONSISTANT, AND RECEPTION IN ST. CLOUD WAS FAIR. ============END OF MESSAGE=========== 19-FEB-90 12:22:57 ---------MESSAGE FROM USER----------- NASA SELECT MAY NOW ALSO BE HEARD ON THE 146.790 WA8KZR HAM REPEATER IN GREENVILLE OHIO. ============END OF MESSAGE=========== 11-MAR-90 10:45:13 ---------MESSAGE FROM USER----------- IN THE NORTHERN CALIF. AREA SPACE SHUTTLE CAN BE HEARD ON 154.530 MHZ. ON THE WA6IEO REMOTE BASE. 12 WATTS TRANSMITTING FROM AN ALTITUDE OF 3200 FEET. ============END OF MESSAGE=========== 19-MAR-90 00:03:41