****************************************************************************** * AMSAT NA News Service Bulletins * * NEWS023 23Jan88 * * [ Copyright 1988 by AMSAT NA, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ] * * [ Permission is granted for unlimited redistribution by electronic or ] * * [ other means provided credit is given to AMSAT NA News Service (ANS). ] * * [ Edited for AMSAT NA by WA2LQQ. ] * * [ (N)=New story; (U)=Updated story; (R)=Reprieved story ] * * [ This edition was forwarded by the W0RPK-AMSAT Bulletin Board System ] * * [ operating on 515-961-3325 24-hours Ralph Wallio, W0RPK SYSOP ] * ****************************************************************************** Headlines: 1.(N) Ariane Third Stage Testing Glitch To Delay Launch 2.(U) Software Glitch Precipitates Recall 3.(N) Badge Craftsman K6MFJ On Road To Recovery ****************************************************************************** 1.(N) Ariane Third Stage Testing Glitch To Delay Launch The European Space Agency's V-22 launch has slipped a month to late May or early June because of an Ariane 4 third stage qualification test failure. The stage must now be returned to the factory for re-work. European sources indicate the minimum turnaround time to be about 3 weeks. For its planning, AMSAT NA is now pegging the launch to be around June 1. Planning for the Phase 3C AMSAT Launch Information Network Service, ALINS, continues under the leadership of Ralph Wallio, W0RPK, AMSAT Operations Vice President. Major launch-related activities will be broadcast on a world-wide network prior to, during and after the launch. Local repeater groups are encouraged to re-broadcast Phase 3C ALINS traffic. Additional details regarding frequencies and schedules of the various nets will be announced as soon as the schedules are firmed. Interested parties should contact W0RPK at 1250 Highway G24, Indianola, Iowa 50125. Please include an SASE. Deadline for coordination is now May 1 but there are only a limited number of ports available so they will be assigned to repeaters on a first-come, first-served basis. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 2.(U) Software Glitch Precipitates Recall A minor glitch has shown up in versions of AMSAT's QUIKTRAK program. However, the problem is much more limited than at first feared. The glitch affects ONLY QUIKTRAK versions 3.0 and 3.1. Versions of QUIKTRAK and SUPERTRAK for the Commodore and Apple computers are NOT affected at all. They run just fine says Bob McGwier, N4HY. The problem involves processing the day of the year in 1988 and other Leap Years. The problem first manifests when entering Keplerian data for 1988. To obtain a replacement diskette for your defective QUIKTRAK version 3.0 or 3.1, return the original program diskette ONLY in a standard diskette mailer to AMSAT HQ and a replacement, Version 3.2, will be promptly returned to you. Return mailing labels will speed the response even more. Mail to AMSAT, 850 Sligo Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, 20910. In summary, the glitch affects ONLY QUIKTRAK 3.0 and 3.1 running under Microsoft DOS on IBM and clone PCs. AMSAT apologizes for any inconvenience and appreciates your support as always. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 3.(N) Badge Craftsman K6MFJ On Road To Recovery At least two thousand AMSAT callsign badges are proudly displayed on the chest or caps of members around the world. Virtually all of these badges were crafted by Wendell Rice, K6MFJ, of Rosamond, California. Wendell had been AMSAT's badge supplier for many years. His dedication to AMSAT provided AMSAT with a low unit cost allowing AMSAT to garner a modest profit to pay routine expenses. Now AMSAT HQ has been saddened to learn fate has dealt Wendell successive tragedies. He lost his wife late last year and suffered a partially paralyzing stroke both within a short period. Now on the road to recovery, but unable to use his left arm, Wendell lives at a new QTH and is unable to get on the air for lack of antennas. AMSAT encourages all members to send words of encouragement to K6MFJ and, if a small team local to him can manage it, to help Wendell get back on the air at the new Rosamond QTH. To send your well-wishes to him, simply send a note on a QSL to: Wendell Rice, K6MFJ, P.O. Drawer U, Rosamond, CA, 93560. He'll appreciate it! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * RECENT NEWS IN REVIEW ===================== Headlines: 4.(U) Phase 3C Performance Data Reveals Vast Mode JL Improvement 5.(U) Phase 3C Launch Info Campaign Seeks Authors 6.(U) Nordski Plans On Track 7.(U) AMSAT Dues Increase Effective March 1 8.(R) Field Operations Begins Convention Support Planning For 1988 9.(R) Short Bursts 10.(U) AO-10 Ops Schedule 11.(U) FO-12 Ops Schedule * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 4.(U) Phase 3C Performance Data Reveals Vast Mode JL Improvement Performance measurements are being released which suggest major link improvements on Phase 3C especially Mode JL. The Mode L link in particular will be especially attractive since uplink power requirements will be reduced significantly from AO-10. Mode JL on Phase 3C combines uplinks on 24 cm and 2 meters to yield a downlink at 70 cm. The Mode L uplink is the 24 cm to 70 cm portion of the Mode JL transponder. Other Modes employed by Phase 3C are Mode B, RUDAK and Mode S. Preliminary data suggests the Phase 3C Mode L uplink power requirements could be as much as 5 dB better than the best that was hoped for from AO-10. In practice that would mean a minimum uplink power in vicinity of 350 watts EIRP (25 dBW). As little as 10 watts from an exciter to a single loop yagi should be sufficient if the estimates are correct. If Mode JL lives up to its pre-launch estimates, it could set off a tidal wave of interest in low power including portable Mode JL satellite operation. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 5.(U) Phase 3C Launch Info Campaign Seeks Authors A campaign to inform the general Amateur Radio community about Phase 3C and how to use it after launch has been announced by AMSAT. Articles will be submitted to all the major domestic ham radio magazines in an effort to provide as much usable information on Phase 3C as possible. Prospective authors are sought to help with this project. With target magazines requiring articles by mid-to-late February, authors are needed immediately. In order to make all known Phase 3C information available in a usable packet, AMSAT is compiling a Phase 3C press kit. This kit contains all major technical specifications on the Phase 3C satellite, recommended typical ground station requirements and a stock of photographs and tables suitable for submission to the magazine with your article. Press kit photos are being printed by Mike Parisey, WD0GML, from inputs provided by W4PUJ, N5AHD, WB0RLY, AMSAT DL and WA2LQQ. Unfortunately, these press kits are in extremely short supply and thus can be made available ONLY to those who promise in advance to write an article on an agreed topic and schedule. Due to the limited time available, prospective authors are asked to call AMSAT HQ immediately to register. Volunteers will be contacted within 24 hours and arrangements will be made for topic selection and magazine placement. This project definitely has a short fuse. Authors should come forth immediately by calling AMSAT HQ Monday through Friday at 301-589-6062 and simply leave your name, callsign and telephone number where you can be reached. Here's your chance to help let every Amateur know what enjoyment lies ahead with the exciting new Phase 3C super bird. Act today! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 6.(U) Nordski Plans On Track Preparations for the Skitrek and Nordski Projects continue as the kickoff date draws near. Martin Sweeting, G3YJO, says preparations are complete and the team at Surrey, England stands in readiness for the first tests. Tests of the Digitalker using dummy data were planned for the week of 18 January and may continue for the next week as well. Nordski will provide navigation information to the North Pole Skitrekkers using an unprecedented hybrid link from the SARSAT/COSPAS satellites to Surrey's UoSAT OSCAR 11. UO-11's Digitalker will announce the trekker's position using its voice synthesizer on the 145.825 MHz FM downlink. The actual 90 day mission begins about March 1. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 7.(U) AMSAT Dues Increase Effective March 1 AMSAT Headquarters has announced that a member dues increase will go into effect March 1. Effective March 1st, the new rates are: U.S. Domestic members: $29 Canada and Mexico: $36 Other foreign: $42 Beginning March 1, all overseas annual members will receive ASR directly from AMSAT via Air Mail. Previously, re-mailers had helped in distribution by re-mailing from their locale. However, the additional delays incurred and complaints from members concerning the re-mailing process has resulted in the change in overseas mailing method and rates. Overseas Life Members may opt to have their ASR sent by Air Mail by remitting the additional postage costs. Annual members should renew early to beat the dues increase. You may renew for several years in advance. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 8.(R) Field Operations Begins Convention Support Planning For 1988 AMSAT Field Operations VP Doug Loughmiller, KO5I, points out that with the new year, the convention planning cycle begins anew. This year new systems and procedures are being put into effect. First, at least 30 days lead time will be required for adequate support of major conventions. Second, Field Operations is establishing an AMSAT Speakers' Bureau to respond to and coordinate requests for AMSAT speakers and representatives at conventions and meetings. Please report all speaking invitations to: AMSAT Speakers' Bureau, c/o Doug Loughmiller, KO5I, 620 Fairway Dr., Paris, Texas, 75460. Similarly, if you are an event sponsor and desire an AMSAT speaker for the event, contact KO5I to coordinate your event. All AMSAT Regional and Area Coordinators are urged to help make the 1988 convention year, focusing on the successful launch of Phase 3C, the best in AMSAT history. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 9.(R) Short Bursts In a surprise announcement, Lyle Johnson, WA7GXD, has resigned as President of TAPR, the Tucson Area Packet Radio group. He cited intense professional and family pressures in announcing his resignation recently. Johnson has been recognized for his creative talents since TAPR's founding. Recently he was leading a joint TAPR-AMSAT design team working on a state-of-the-art computer for AMSAT's PACSAT project. AMSAT profoundly regrets Lyle's departure from the scene but understands and empathizes with his reasoning and wishes him well. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 10.(U) AO-10 Ops Schedule Here is the AO-10 operating schedule for the next period. According to AO-10 command station ZL1AOX, the sun angle will diminish to unusable levels two weeks sooner than expected. Consequently, the schedule has been revised to curtail AO-10 use after February 14. AMSAT OSCAR 10 Transponder Operating Schedule ============================================= Revised 16Jan88 +---------------------+-------------------------------+ | Time Frame | Mode B Operating Times in MA | +---------------------+-------------------------------+ | Jan 18 thru Jan 31 | 0 thru 169 and 231 thru 255 | | Feb 01 thru Feb 14 | 0 thru 179 and 241 thru 255 | +---------------------+-------------------------------+ As always, please insure you use the lowest uplink power levels so as to insure satellite health as well as good communications. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 11.(U) FO-12 Ops Schedule Here is the operating schedule for FO-12 for the next several days: Operating schedule for FO-12 Mode From (UTC) To (UTC) -------------------------------- JD 23 11:21 24 12:28 JA 26 12:41 27 11:47 JA 28 10:53 29 12:01 JA 30 11:07 Feb 1 09:19 The transponders will be off at other time. The schedule may be changed at any time due to unexpected power situations. FO-12 had been off the air for about four days beginning January 17 when heavy Mode JD use dragged the battery down to a preset shutdown threshold. Operation was scheduled to resume on January 21. ******************************************************************************