[K3PZN-List] Re: ECHO Launched [K3PZN-List Digest, Vol 6, Issue 9]

Tue Jul 13 10:36:14 EDT 2004

AO-51 (AMSAT OSCAR-Echo satellite) Scoop

Hi Curt and all,

To answer your question, if you could hook up with someone with a
dual-band radio then you are in for a real treat!

The new satellite has many features and operating modes, including
a dual-band FM repeater.  The FM frequencies are given below the
keps (satellite tracking elements) I offer below.

The AMSAT Command Team is carefully checking off the tests and
measurements that are part of the commissioning process.  They ask
everyone to be patient because AO-51 is not yet open for use.  Any
transmissions aimed at AO-51 by other than command stations will
slow down the process and delay the day when it is open for all
to use.

There is free software available from the AMSAT web site to
copy telemetry on your 440 MHz FM radio.

I hope to start my own experiments on AO-51 from Carroll County
shortly after the satellite is declared open.  Other club members
are invited to try too and compare notes!  I will start with
something *other* than my OSCAR-13 class station: an HT and a
hand-held Arrow antenna.  Then I might try a station "opposite" to
this.  That is, instead of low power with a modest gain antenna,
try a mobile dual-band radio with a little more power but with a
lower gain antenna, namely, a regular mag-mount vertical.  I'll
compare the results and chat with you on the club repeater!

Keep up with late-breaking news by visiting http://www.amsat.org/
on a regular basis.  Don't forget the resources from our last local
AMSAT meeting at http://www.patkilroy.com/amsat-dc/ either -- click
the link under Rick Hambly, W2GPS, for his Echo presentation.

For anyone new to satellites (or APRS) you simply must go to
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/information/faqs/ for some really
good scoop.

Read more of my cut 'n' paste below.

Cheers,

Pat
N8PK

Current Keplerian Elements

AMSAT ECHO
1 28375U 04025K   04193.05659373  .00000051  00000-0  28581-4 0   154
2 28375  98.2587 262.2555 0084327 180.1696 179.9480 14.40372655  1509

[ Updated 11 July, 2004 - 15:00z ]

http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/EchoFAQ.php

Excerpt from this pre-launch FAQ:

12. Have Echo's operating frequencies been chosen yet?

ECHO's Standard Operating Modes are:

Analog
435.225 MHz FM Voice Downlink,
145.920 MHz FM Voice Uplink + 67 Hz PL tone

Digital  9600 bps, AX.25, PACSAT Protocol mailbox
435.150 MHz FM Downlink and Telemetry in the digital stream
145.860 MHz FM Uplink

13. Are the VHF receivers crystal-controlled or agile?

They are crystal controlled.

14. Have VHF channels been selected yet? What are they?

Yes. 145.860, 145.880 and 145.920. Each of these has a second frequency 
that can be used if we need to move for some reason. Those frequencies will 
be published only if we actually plan to use them in the future. The fourth 
receiver will be dedicated to command and control and its frequency will 
not be published.

More info at http://www.amsat.org/

2004 Space Symposium Registration - LOCAL FOR US !!!!

AMSAT will hold it's 2004 Space Symposium and 35th Anniversary Celebration 
October 8-10, 2004 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Arlington VA.  Agendas, 
information and registration forms for the 2004 Symposium are now available 
on the website.  You can find more information in the Symposium section on 
AMSAT.ORG.

Additional reading: The Echo Book

Find more information in the new book "Echo - Operation, Development and 
Specifications" by G. Gould Smith, WA4SXM. You can place an order by 
calling the AMSAT office toll free at (888) 322-6728.

At Saturday 04:00 AM 7/10/2004, Curt Milton, WB8YYY, wrote:
>Subject: Re: [K3PZN-List] ECHO Launched
>Date: Fri, 9 Jul 2004 08:58:30 -0700 (PDT)
>Message: 1
>
>Pat,
>
>FB on another bird in orbit!  I have not been
>satellite active since the RS-series went out of
>business ....
>
>Just curious what is needed to use this bird on voice?
>
>2m uplink -- let's see i got an FM rig that outputs
>25w or so and a little beam with 8 dB gain.  How far I
>am I off of what is needed ??  Of course less antenna
>gain would be better so one would not need to point
>the beam!
>
>440 downlink - nothing in my shack for this band -
>guess I would need to buy a rig and buy/make an
>antenna.
>
>Just curious if an earth station for echo can be put
>together on a shoestring budge?  Maybe if voice works
>then i might be interesting in seeing what it takes
>for a modem.
>
>Curt
WB8YYY

====================================================================
Patrick L. Kilroy                                                WK
Integration & Test (I&T) Manager        301-286-1984 voice
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center        301-286-1673 fax
Building 5, Mail Code 568               Patrick.L.Kilroy at nasa.gov
Greenbelt, Maryland  20771              http://simsat.gsfc.nasa.gov
====================================================================

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