Date: Thu, 23 Dec 93 04:30:44 PST
From: Ham-Space Mailing List and Newsgroup <ham-space@ucsd.edu>
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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
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