Ham Radio/Ham Radio CD-ROM (Emerald Software) (1995).ISO/news/amsat318/amsat318.txt

Text File | 1987-11-17 | 13.3 KB | 272 lines

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*                      AMSAT NA News Service Bulletins                       *
*                             NEWS318A 14Nov87                               *
*                                 Revision A                                 *
*  [ Copyright 1987 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 ]  *
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Headlines:

1.(N)     AMSAT OSCAR 10 Returns To Service November 16
2.(U)     AMSAT Annual Meeting and Space Symposium Held In Michigan
3.(N)     AMSAT Board Authorizes PACSAT Project
4.(N)     Atlanta To Host 1988 AMSAT Annual Meeting and 6th Space Symposium
5.(N)     Phase 3C Launch Preparations Accelerate
6.(N)     JARL Bandplan Would Jeopardize 70cm Satellite Activity

Summary:

1. AMSAT OSCAR 10 is ready for its return to general use on November 16 says
the command and control team.  Very long eclipses will moderate use but
generally favorable results are expected.

2. The AMSAT Annual Meeting, Space Symposium and Board Meeting was held near
Detroit recently.  New Board members were announced.  Re-elected were W3GEY
and W6SP.  Newly elected were W3XO and N4HY.  The 1988 AMSAT Officers were
elected.

3. A "crash program" to develop, build and launch an Amateur Radio PACSAT
has been authorized and funded by the Board.  Operations could begin in less
than a year.

4. Atlanta Georgia will be the site of the 1988 AMSAT Annual meeting, the
Board has said.  The Board ruled after hearing from organizer Byron Lindsey,
W4BIW, of Georgia.

5. Preparations for the launch of Phase 3C are speeding up as the long-sought
launch approaches early next year.

6. A draft 70 cm bandplan could spell trouble for Mode B satellite users if
it's put into effect by JARL.

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1.(N)     AMSAT OSCAR 10 Returns To Service November 16

As previously announced, AO-10 will return to service November 16.  Only Mode
B operation will be possible.  Very long eclipses will be occurring and
operation during those periods is expressly prohibited to protect the
spacecraft battery.  The timing of the eclipses will vary in the coming weeks.
This will, in turn, cause changes in the operating schedule.  Users will need
to keep in close contact with official news sources to insure they are aware
of current and planned operating schedules.

Here is the AO-10 operating schedule for the next few weeks:

                AMSAT OSCAR 10 Transponder Operating Schedule
                =============================================
           +---------------------+--------------------------------+
           | Time Frame (1987)   |   Mode B Operating Times in MA |
           +---------------------+--------------------------------+
           | Nov 16 thru Nov 23  |    0 thru 59  and 131 thru 255 |
           | Nov 24 thru Nov 30  |    0 thru 69  and 141 thru 255 |
           | Dec 01 thru Dec 07  |    0 thru 89  and 161 thru 255 |
           | Dec 08 thru Dec 14  |    0 thru 99  and 171 thru 255 |
           +---------------------+--------------------------------+

As always, please insure you use the lowest uplink power levels so as to
insure satellite health as well as good communications.

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2.(U)     AMSAT Annual Meeting and Space Symposium Held In Michigan

The AMSAT NA Annual Meeting and Space Symposium was held the weekend of
November 7th and 8th at the Southfield Hilton Hotel in Southfield, Michigan
just north of Detroit. Nearly 200 space enthusiasts attended the meeting which
is the high point in the AMSAT NA annual calendar.

The 1988 Board of Directors election results were announced as follows:

             Mr. Jan King,         W3GEY,  908 votes (Re-elected)
             Mr. John Browning,    W6SP,   745       (Re-elected)
             Mr. William Tynan,    W3XO,   680       (Elected)
             Dr. Robert McGwier ,  N4HY,   606       (Elected)
             Dr. John Henry,       VE2VQ,  578       (First Alternate)
             Mr. Andy MacAllister, WA5ZIB, 450       (Second Alternate)
             Dr. John Champa,      K8OCL,  425.

Awards for meritorious achievement were presented to, KO5I, WB5PMR, W5IU,
AA0P, W3IWI, N4HY WD4FAB and N5AHD.

Among the major prize winners were: Dr. Junior DeCastro, PY2BJO, won the ICOM
275A radio for having the highest score in the member recruitment contest.
Winner of the ICOM 475A Grand Banquet prize was Greg Barr of the National
Space Society. The winner of the drawing for the autotracking system prize
raffle for member renewal was Fred Rollyson, WB6CNO, or Moorpark, California.
Fred had renewed for 2 years and won an autotracking system worth over $1,000
including computer, Encomm interface, Mirage/KLM antennas and Kenpro rotors.

Prize donors, in addition to ICOM, included Mirage/KLM, Advanced Receiver
Research, Henry Radio, Advanced Electronic Applications, Cushcraft and ARRL.

The Board of Directors met on November 7 and 8.  Many major decisions were
taken which will affect AMSAT significantly in both the short and long terms.
These matters will be covered in ASR as soon as the meeting minutes are ready
for publication.  Here are some highlights.

Officers elected included:

   John Browning, W6SP, Chairman of the Board
   Vern Riportella, WA2LQQ, President
   John Champa, K8OCL, Executive Vice President
   Jan King, W3GEY, Vice President, Engineering
   Ralph Wallio, W0RPK, Vice President, Operations
   Bill Tynan, W3XO, Vice President, Manned Space Projects
   Doug Loughmiller, KO5I, Vice President, Field Operations
   Art Feller, KB4ZJ, Treasurer
   Martha Saragovitz, Secretary

A major Bylaws review presentation was made by Ray Soifer, W2RS.  Some final
refinement will be made by Ray at the Board's request and the final draft will
be reviewed for approval in the Spring 1988 Board Meeting.  A member dues
increase will be necessary in 1988, the Board said.

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3.(N)     AMSAT Board Authorizes PACSAT Project

On November 8, the AMSAT Board of Directors learned from Vice President of
Engineering Jan King, W3GEY, that it may be possible for AMSAT to develop and
provide an Amateur Radio packet radio satellite much more quickly than
previously thought.  The Board responded by authorizing an extraordinary
program to take advantage of any one of several "target of opportunity"
launches that may present themselves within the next 24 months.

A packet radio satellite, generically called a PACSAT, has been an objective
for nearly a half decade since AMSAT and TAPR developed the concept around the
time the TAPR TNC was being developed 5 years ago.  Since then the PACSAT
concept has been exploited in military, scientific and commercial payloads.
Recently, VITA announced it had received a grant to develop and operate a
PACSAT in the private sector, public service domain.  It does not at this time
appear the VITA/PACSAT will be in the Amateur Radio service according to
reliable sources.

According to W3GEY, several fertile launch opportunities are now evident.
These include opportunities within calendar 1988 and 1989 he said.  The Board
authorized the formation of a PACSAT Team and funded a virtual "crash program"
at $50,000 to take advantage of any feasible launch that may be compatible
with the PACSAT system and mission designs. In allowing pursuit of the "target
of opportunity" launch, the Board said, in effect, that AMSAT wants to develop
a PACSAT on a priority basis for a short term project.  According to Tom
Clark, W3IWI, one of the original architects of the PACSAT concept, a major
portion of the PACSAT design is already complete and prototype hardware
construction will begin immediately.

An immediate need for support for this crash program is now evident.  All
packet radio enthusiasts will be welcome to use PACSAT when it is launched
possibly within the next year.  But attainment of this very ambitious schedule
hinges on sufficient financial support up front. A special AMSAT/PACSAT Fund
has been established to finance this important program.  AMSAT, P.O.  Box 27,
Washington D.C. 20044.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

4.(N)     Atlanta To Host 1988 AMSAT Annual Meeting and 6th Space Symposium

In its meeting recently in Southfield, Michigan, AMSAT's Board of Directors
heard a proposal of its Southeastern Regional Coordinator Byron Lindsey,
W4BIW, to hold the 1988 Annual Meeting in Atlanta.  The Board voted favorably
on the proposal.  Thus, the 1988 Annual Meeting and the 6th Annual AMSAT Space
Symposium will be held in Atlanta at a date to be determined shortly.  Target
date is around veteran's day, November 11, 1988.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

5.(N)     Phase 3C Launch Preparations Accelerate

The Phase 3C spacecraft will undergo an intensive series of tests in the
second half of November.  The tests are being performed in the facilities of
AMSAT DL in Marburg and other facilities AMSAT DL has obtained in West
Germany.  The tests include the critical shake and vibration tests, the spin
balance procedure and an additional thermal vacuum test.  The tests are being
performed now based on an estimated launch date of March 15 for the Ariane
V-22 mission.  On paper, V-22 remains scheduled for February 1988.  In
AMSAT-NA, AMSAT Launch Information Network Service (ALINS) plans are going
ahead full speed under VP Operations Ralph Wallio, W0RPK.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

6.(N)     JARL Bandplan Would Jeopardize 70cm Satellite Activity

A preliminary draft of a Japanese Amateur Radio League (JARL) 70 cm bandplan
has raised the hackles of satellite operators in Japan and elsewhere.  The
plan would permit FM terrestrial operation in the 435 to 438 MHz range in
Japan.  This sub-band is widely recognized as a satellite-use only band. Use
by terrestrial FMers could cause widespread disruption especially to Mode B
satellites like AO-10 and Phase 3C.  Mode B uplinks are in the 435 to 436 MHz
range.

The move by JARL staff was puzzling to many because JARL is both a signatory
of the IARU Region 3 bandplan which recognizes the satellite sub-band and
because JARL is thought to be a strong supporter of the Amateur Satellite
Program.

The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Secretary Dave Sumner, K1ZZ, is
looking into the situation at AMSAT's request.  A progress report will be
issued next week.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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                            RECENT NEWS IN REVIEW
                            =====================

Headlines:

7.(R)     FO-12 Schedule
8.(U)     Short Bursts

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7.(R)     FO-12 Schedule

Here is the operating schedule for FO-12 for the next few days:

                    Operating schedule for the FUJI/FO-12

                       Mode  From (UTC)      To   (UTC)
                       --------------------------------
                       JA Nov14   8:41  --    16   6:53
                       JD    18   9:09  --    19   6:13
                       JD    20   7:21  --    21   6:26
                       JD    22   5:32  --    23   6:40
                       JA    26   6:00  --    27   5:05
                       JA    28   4:11  --    29   5:19

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

8.(U)     Short Bursts

AMSAT members are urged to dig in and support the Phase 3C Insurance Fund
Campaign as explained in ASR 160.  AMSAT urgently needs to raise $10,000 to
insure Phase 3C and assure this most powerful of Amateur satellites does not
fly unprotected.  Please help now.  Read ASR 160 and support this effort now.
As of November 14, the fund had nearly reached the $4,000 level.  Don't miss
out on this opportunity to support your future hopes on Phase 3C!

                                     ***

Arianespace had planned to launch its next mission, V-20, November 18.  If
this is accomplished and the V-21 launch is accomplished in January as
scheduled, AMSAT's Phase 3C, manifested aboard V-22, could be launched as
early as February of next year.  Late word from Europe suggests V-20 may be
delayed slightly due to problems at the ground control facility possibly
associated with the primary V-20 payload, Europe's TV-SAT.


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