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1988-10-03
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Posted: Sun Oct 2, 1988 3:05 PM GMT Msg: GGII-3765-6623
From: VRIP
To: IS
Subj: ANS.275
SB ALL @ AMSAT $ANS-275.01
AMSAT Weekend News Part 1
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 275.01 FROM WA2LQQ
WARWICK, NY October 1, 1988
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
SPACE OPERATIONS
AO-13 operations continue normally after the first major schedule change was
placed in effect September 21. The new attitude (Bahn Longitude 210, Bahn
Latitude +5) is mandated by the position of the sun relative to AO-13's
orbital plane. The new schedule essentially slides the Mode L operating period
about 20% later in the orbit. This is because the satellite will be nadir
pointing (looking directly at the earth's center) later in the orbit.
Previously, AO-13 was nadir pointing at apogee.
The new operating schedule, subject to minor tweaking for Mode S, will likely
remain in effect until late Autumn.
Operating experience with the new schedule and attitude suggest ways of
planning your operating activities to minimize the effects of spin modulation.
On Mode B, spin modulation becomes a significant factor when the satellite is
off-pointed from a ground station using circular polarization when the
off-pointing (or squint angle) exceeds about 40 degrees. Stations using
linear polarization have a much lower squint angle tolerance. Again it's been
demonstrated being able to switch from right hand to left hand circular
polarization is very helpful. Best Mode B operating seems to occur when
looking west at the satellite late in the orbit.
ENGINEERING TESTS
The first AO-13 Mode S transponder tests were successfully performed September
17. AO-13 Mode L radar QRM tests performed September 9 were inconclusive. The
test will be repeated soon. No further word has been received on RUDAK
testing.
OPERATING ACTIVITIES AND USER INTERESTS
* SEN Schedule *
The next session of the Space Education Net (SEN) has been scheduled for
Saturday October 8, 1988. The Mode L session will run from 2230 to 2315 UTC.
The Mode L downlink frequency will be 435.900 MHz. The Mode B session will
follow from 2330 to 0015 (9th) UTC. The downlink frequency will be 145.960
MHz.
AMSAT is considering moving the SEN to Wednesday evenings in the U.S. The SEN
would appreciate comments from interested stations. Contact K9PVW.
Test transmissions of Slow Scan TV will continue on this session of the SEN.
Listen for WA4GSS transmitting the standard 8 second SSTV format 10 kHz above
the voice net frequency at 145.970 MHz. Later tests will include high
resolution color SSTV. The SEN encourages all stations not equipped for SSTV
to invite another amateur to bring his scan converter to an AO-13 station.
The addition of video will add a new dimension to the Space Education Nets.
Additional Net Control Stations are needed for the SEN. If you would like to
assist the SEN in this important position please volunteer today. Contact
K.O. Learner, K9PVW at P.O. Box 5006, Kokomo, IN 46904 or via packet @KD9QB
with your SEN questions or comments or to volunteer to assist the SEN.
Check-ins and participants are invited for both sessions.
* Balloon Launch *
Another in a series of balloon-borne radio experiments is on tap from the
mid-west. Bill, WB8ELK, says the next flight of a helium filled balloon
carrying Amateur Radio equipment has been re-scheduled for launch from
Greensburg, Illinois, at 8:00 AM Eastern time, October 8. A 2 meter CW beacon
will transmit on 144.340 MHz using vertical polarization. A fast-scan TV
signal will be transmitted on 439.250 MHz using horizontal polarization. Last
spring, a similar balloon attained an altitude in excess of 100,000 feet. Its
radio beacons were heard from Canada to Iowa. Support nets will operate on
3871 kHz and perhaps 7155 kHz. The beacons will operate under the callsign
W9PRD.
/EX
SB ALL @ AMSAT $ANS-275.02
AMSAT Weekend News Part 2
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 275.02 FROM WA2LQQ
WARWICK, NY October 1, 1988
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
OPERATING ACTIVITIES AND USER INTERESTS (Continued)
* Chicken Little II *
AMSAT'S Chicken Little II (CL2) contest continues with entrants hopeful of
predicting the precise time of the reentry of COSMOS 1900. The spacecraft is
currently in an orbit which experts suggest will bring about its destruction
by mid-October and there have been serious concerns as to the on board nuclear
reactor. The Soviets have been maintaining that the primary and secondary
ejection devices will provide adequate protection from radioactive debris
reaching the Earth's surface.
On Saturday, October 1, TASS announced that the primary safety device had
activated at 0008 Moscow Standard Time, shutting down the reactor and boosting
it to a stable orbit of 720 km. While the threat of radioactivity is no
longer a factor, the spacecraft continues in its descent and the correct
prediction will earn one AMSAT member a new GaAsFET pre-amp.
Here are the CL-II rules:
1. The winner is the individual who most accurately predicts the date and
time of reentry.
2. Enter as many times as you care to. Only one guess per entry letter or
postcard. Entry must include name, address, callsign and AMSAT member
number along with your guess to the nearest second.
3. Entries must be postmarked not later than seven calendar days prior to
the official re-entry time.
4. Use of government resources is prohibited except that publicly available
orbital data is OK.
5. Decision of the judges is final. No entries will be returned and are the
property of AMSAT.
6. Entries must be mailed to AMSAT, CL-II, P.O. Box 27, Washington DC, 20044.
To assist in tracking COSMOS 1900, orbital elements will be included in the
normal AMSAT Orbital Prediction Bulletin releases until de-orbit. The
following is a recent set:
Object 18665 (87-101A)
Ref Epoch: 88272.90792702
Drag: 0.00581528
Inclin: 64.9522
RAAN: 205.3271
Eccen: 0.0013850
ArgPer: 279.5949
MA: 80.3761
MM: 16.35995825
Rev: 4694
INTERNATIONAL AMSAT NEWSFRONT
Special callsign ZS6RSA will be on the air Saturday, October 8 from 0900
UTC through October 9 at 0300 UTC. QSO's will be relayed on RADIO RSA
transmission at the following Times:
0930 UTC in Dutch
1030 UTC in German
1145 UTC in English
1445 UTC in English
1730 UTC in German
1830 UTC in Dutch
1845 UTC in English
1945 UTC in English
Sunday, October 9
0245 UTC in English to USA and Canada
From 0900 UTC till 1500 UTC special guest will be Michael Meerman PA3BHF.
ZS6RSA will operate on OSCAR 13 from 1545 to 1700 UTC Mode B on 145.950 MHz.
Other amateur frequencies include : 7050, 14200, 21250, and 28500 kHz. A
special QSL card will be issued.
ZS6SAT will be acting as a gateway station during the Scout Jamboree on the
air October 15 from 0800 to 1300 UTC. The frequency will be approximately
145.950 MHz This facility will allow many young Radio Amateurs with VHF
licences only to speak to other scout groups around the world.
/EX
SB ALL @ AMSAT $ANS-275.03
AMSAT Weekend News Part 3
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 275.03 FROM WA2LQQ
WARWICK, NY October 1, 1988
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
WORLD SPACE NEWS SUMMARY
* Shuttle Coverage *
The U.S. is back in the manned space business with a rousing success scored
launching shuttle Discovery, STS-26. Launch took place at 1537 UTC, Thursday,
September 29. The launch trajectory was completely normal and the worrisome
solid rocket boosters performed as designed. Six hours and 13 minutes after
liftoff the crew of Discovery deployed the 5,000 pound TDRS-C Tracking and
Data Relay Satellite. An hour later the first of two kick motor burns boosted
TDRS-C to a higher orbit. Later, a second burn circularized the orbit over
the equator. Check-out of the TDRS is now under way. TDRS-A, launched by
shuttle in 1983 is now positioned over the Equator north of Brazil. TDRS-B
was lost in the Challenger accident in 1986.
Extensive on-air coverage has been provided America's return to manned space
activity. The NASA-Select channel on SATCOM 2R, transponder 13, has provided
spectacular views of earth from Discovery as it passed over various tracking
stations. Many cable TV stations around the country have opted to carry the
mission video. WA3NAN, the club station at the Goddard Space Flight Center,
has covered the launch on HF from the start. Their operating frequencies are
3860, 7185, 21395 and 28650 kHz. On VHF FM, they may be heard on 147.45 MHz.
San Francisco Bay area residents have access to full-mission video courtesy of
two ATV repeaters according to Mike Scott, N6GOZ. The Mount Diablo and Black
Mountain ATV repeaters will carry the video from the NASA Select channel on
427.25 MHz. Amateurs with cable-ready commercial TVs can view the ATV
repeaters by attaching an antenna to the cable TV connector and tuning to
cable channel 58.
Discovery is scheduled to land at Edwards AFB, CA, on Monday, October 3 at
1635 UTC after doing a de-orbit burn over Australia on orbit 64.
Here is a usable element set for tracking STS-26.
Ref Epoch: 88 274.86371685
Set# JSC-005 (Per WA5NOM)
Inclin: 28.4868
RAAN: 65.8217
Ecc: 0.0032605
ArgPer: 180.0937
MA: 349.9518
MM: 15.84776718
Decay: 4.1E-04
Rev: 21
/EX
SB ALL @ AMSAT $ANS-275.04
AMSAT Weekend News Part 4
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 275.04 FROM WA2LQQ
WARWICK, NY October 1, 1988
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
WORLD SPACE NEWS SUMMARY (Continued)
* Soviet Shuttle *
In other world space news, the Soviet Union released the first photos of its
space shuttle this week. Called VKK by one Soviet official, the photos were
released by TASS about the time Discovery was originally expected to lift off.
The photos revealed the Shuttle with its CCCP markings against an evening sky
with the Energiya, strap-on liquid boosters, and gantry clearly visible.
Western observers were not surprised to see similarities between the two
craft, as the Soviets had already disclosed that the designs followed similar
patterns. However, the "carbon copy" likeness did surprise many and as one
analyst pointed out, even the paint schemes are nearly identical prompting
the remark that "imitation is the highest form of flattery."
Soviet space officials have suggested that the Shuttle may be launched by the
end of this year and that it will be unmanned, but no date has been announced
and they have acknowledged that there are technical problems causing delays.
MEETINGS
* AMSAT Symposium *
Preparations are accelerating for the AMSAT Sixth Space Symposium says
organizer Byron Lindsey, W4BIW. The Symposium will be held at the Atlanta
Airport Marriott Hotel November 11, 12 and 13 and is being organized by AMSAT
in cooperation with the Atlanta Radio Club. Registration may be accomplished
by mail. The address is:
Space Symposium
Box 29221
Atlanta, GA, 30359
The meeting will be held at the Airport Marriott Hotel, 4711 Best Road,
College Park, GA. Rooms may be reserved by calling the hotel at 404-766-7900.
Discounts may be obtained by mentioning the Space Symposium when reserving.
The discounted price is $65 per night.
Air fare discounts have been arranged with Delta Airlines. Reservations are
being handled by GIT Travel Agency. Call 800-228-1777 for airline
reservations.
A Symposium package deal including registration, Saturday lunch and the
banquet is available. Tours have been arranged to the Cable New Network (CNN)
facility in Atlanta. Register early to insure placement.
Featured speakers include Leonid Labutin, UA3CR, and Geoffrey Perry of
England's Kettering Group. Papers for the symposium may be submitted to
ARRL's Mary Weinberg until October 4. More details in subsequent bulletins.
Meanwhile, you may contact W4BIW at 404-636-7452 in Decatur for further
information.
SHORT BURST ITEMS
G3RUH points out an error in our recent discourse on the AMSAT day number.
James correctly points out that 1988 Jan 01 = Amsat Day 3652. However, 1988
Sep 10, which is day-of-year 254 equates to Amsat Day 3652 + 254 - 1 = 3905,
and not 3906 as stated. Thanks to sharp-eyed James M for this correction!
Looking for a way to support AMSAT? This may be your ticket. AMSAT has
re-instituted its traditional orbit sponsor program for support of operations
by satellite users. AMSAT HQ has the details: 301-589-6062.
First Day Club certificate requests continue to arrive. Due to numerous late
submissions, certificate mailing will be delayed slightly.
Mike Parisey, WD0GML, says his BBS system is now operational on 2400 as well
as 1200 and 300 baud. He also now has a tracking program up and running on
the board. The BBS system is located near St.Louis and can be accessed at
314-447-3003.
/EX
SB ALL @ AMSAT $ANS-275.05
AMSAT Weekend News Part 5
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 275.05 FROM WA2LQQ
WARWICK, NY October 1, 1988
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
SATELLITE OPERATING SCHEDULES
Here is the AO-13 operating schedule currently in use. Deviations from this
schedule may occur to facilitate important engineering tests.
Operating Schedule: V4.0 Effective 21Sep88
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| Mode | From | Thru | Remarks | Duration |
| |(Inclus)| (Inclus)| | MA Minutes|
|========|========|=========|====================================
| Off | MA 241 | MA 002 | Solar eclipse window | 18 48.3 |
| Mode B | MA 003 | MA 150 | | 148 397.0 |
| Mode L | MA 151 | MA 200 | Mode JL optional | 50 134.1 |
| Mode B | MA 201 | MA 240 | | 40 107.3 |
| Mode S | | | Test window TBA* | |
| RUDAK | | | Status unknown | |
+--------------------------------------------------+------------|
*The new Mode S test window is To Be Announced.
RS-11 will be operating Tuesday thru Friday on Mode KA and weekends on Mode A.
There is no RS-10 operation currently.
* FO-12 *
Here is the FO-12 operating schedule for September as provided by JARL.
Mode Beginning
Date Time
D 03 Oct 0113
JA 04 2325
D 06 0032
JA 08 1339
D 09 2258
JD 12 1406
DI 13 1312
JD 15 1325
DI 16 1231
JD 18 1245
DI 19 1151
JD 21 2016
D 22 1922
JA 26 0936
D 27 1043
JA 29 0855
D 31 0909
JD = Digital mode
JA = Analog mode
D = All systems off
DI = Systems off except CPU and memory
The transponders will be off at other times. The actual operating schedule may
change due to unexpected situations such as variations in available power.
Mode JA Beacon: 435.795 MHz. Mode JD Beacon: 435.910 MHz.
/EX