[AReU] AO40 Status

[w4tas]

The Alon, Alat is 0, 40 now. What that means is that AO40 is usable only on
the last part of the orbit and very close to the Earth.

This might be a good time for some folks to test their receiving system as
signals will be very-very good.

It will not take a great receiving system to work good. In fact I believe
that a
good 30 turn helix, home brew horn or 18 inch. dish with helix or patch feed
would work very well.

Be prepared for large Doppler shifts and a relatively short access "window".
The transponder is on from MA 120 to MA 240 at present but the conditions
are good for only the last part of the period.

I estimate that good conditions will exist from MA 200 to MA 240 when this
part of the orbit is in range of Brandon. Be aware that, although this
occurs
two times a day, it only occurs for us here in Brandon about every second
or third day.

If anyone wants to have a tracking sheet just let me know.

BTW the orbit is favoring Brandon heavily tomorrow evening between
6:30 PM and 9:30 PM. The azimuth will be between 230 and 240 degrees
and the elevation will be between 45 and 32 degrees. The Doppler will be
+13 KHz at 6:30 PM and + 14 KHz at 9:30 PM. The range is about 25,000
km so don't use much uplink power on "U" band or Leila will get you.

73 and good luck,

Tony