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Text File | 1988-01-28 | 20KB | 367 lines

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*                      AMSAT NA News Service Bulletins                       *
*                             NEWS016 16Jan88                                *
*  [ 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          ] *
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Headlines

1.(N)     3C Launch Date Hovers At May 1st While Preps Swing Into High Gear
2.(N)     Phase 3C Performance Data Reveals Vast Mode JL Improvement
3.(N)     Phase 3C Launch Info Campaign Seeks Authors
4.(N)     Software Glitch Precipitates Recall
5.(N)     TAPR President Resigns Suddenly; Cites Personal Pressures
6.(N)     Nordski Plans On Track With February Test Announced
7.(N)     AMSAT Dues Increase Effective March 1
8.(N)     Shuttle Engine Backup Design Retrieved To Salvage Launch Schedule

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1.(N)     3C Launch Date Hovers At May 1st While Preps Swing Into High Gear

News from Europe this week indicates the European Space Agency's V-22 launch
has slipped slightly to late April or early May but the date should lock-up
soon with the completion of the Ariane 4 third stage engine qualifications.
AMSAT organizations around the world are accelerating many programs aimed at
launch support, user support, pre-launch user information distribution and
media coverage.

Planning for the Phase 3C AMSAT Launch Information Network Service, ALINS,
continues under the leadership of Ralph Wallio, W0RPK, AMSAT Operations Vice
President.  Regularly scheduled AMSAT nets and a series of special pre-launch
bulletin broadcasts will provide last-minute information in the week just
before launch.  Post-launch information will be available during several
nightly AMSAT nets and daily bulletin broadcasts.  Realtime launch coverage,
from the final thirty minutes of countdown through shutdown of the Ariane 4
third stage, will be broadcast on various ham bands throughout the world.
ARRL Headquarters station W1AW will join a team of AMSAT stations to provide
unprecedented coverage of the launch.  Additional details regarding
frequencies and schedules of the various nets will be announced as soon as the
schedules are firmed.

Local repeater groups are encouraged to re-broadcast Phase 3C ALINS traffic.
While the morning (Kourou time) launch of V-22 should provide good coverage on
several HF bands, direct feeds from the ALINS teleconference bridge to
repeater links will be available upon request and prior coordination only.
Interested parties should contact W0RPK at 1250 Highway G24, Indianola, Iowa
50125.  Please include an SASE.  Deadline for coordination is April 15 but
there are only a limited number of ports available and they will be assigned
to repeaters on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Phase 3C satellite has completed its program of testing in Marburg, West
Germany and, after some last minute fine-tuning, will be prepared for shipment
soon to Paris and then on to the airport at Cayenne, French Guiana.  From
there it will be trucked by special vehicle to the ESA launch site at Kourou.

The V-21 launch which precedes V-22 had an estimated launch date of March 4
when Arianespace briefed AMSAT recently.

In related news, commitments for launch insurance have now been made and all
AMSAT members are encouraged to share in this important activity. Substantial
launch insurance donations have been made by AMSAT-UK, SA-AMSAT and BRAMSAT.
Now it's your chance to help.  If you haven't already done so, send in a
modest contribution to the Phase 3C launch insurance campaign. It's needed now
to avoid having to cut back on other services to fund the launch insurance.

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

2.(N)     Phase 3C Performance Data Reveals Vast Mode JL Improvement

With the completion of testing of the Phase 3C spacecraft in Marburg, West
Germany recently, some early performance measurements are being released which
suggest major link performance improvements.  According to AMSAT DL President
Karl Meinzer, DJ4ZC, the Mode L link in particular will be especially
attractive since uplink power requirements are 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.

Prior to launch, AO-10 Mode L uplink power requirements were placed in
approximately the 1 to 2 kW Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) range or
30 to 33 dBW EIRP.  However, the failure of a bias regulator in the Mode L
power amplifier caused it to operate well off of its optimum design bias
point.  Consequently, uplink power requirements increased by about 10 dB
meaning that uplinks in the order of 10 to 20 kW EIRP were required for
success.  The increased uplink requirement strongly constrained the expected
Mode L use and it never reached the popularity expected of it.

Now, however, preliminary data from AMSAT DL 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).

According to DJ4ZC, a 25 dBW EIRP uplink should result in a 10 dB average
signal-to-noise ratio under ideal conditions.  With this improved uplink
requirement, Phase 3C Mode L could experience even sharper growth than
that expected for AO-10.  As little as 10 watts from an exciter to a single
loop yagi should be sufficient if the estimates are correct.  This assumes a
moderately long loop yagi yielding 18 dBi gain which is easily attainable.

Thus, 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.

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

3.(N)     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 at a time when the
general awareness of Phase 3C will peak in mid-spring. Regular press releases
to the Amateur Radio media will assure a high profile for this important
event.

Prospective authors are sought for the project which kicks-off immediately.
With the 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 will contain 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.  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.
General Phase 3C information brochures will be made generally available to
AMSAT members in the near future, however.

Topics suitable for articles include Phase 3C operating practices, bandplans,
schedules, ground stations, orbital topics, spacecraft hardware and so forth.
Between 1 and 2 dozen authors are needed to quickly produce a like number of
articles.  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!

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

4.(N)     Software Glitch Precipitates Recall

A minor glitch has shown up in versions of AMSAT's QUIKTRAK and SUPERTRAK
programs for the IBM-PC and the Commodore 64 computers.  The problem involves
processing the day of the year in 1988 and other Leap Years.  The W0SL, VR-85
and other AMSAT programs are believed to be unaffected by the glitch.

The problem first manifests when entering Keplerian data for 1988.  When
entering the reference epoch in the Julian day form, that is for example,
16.12345678, the program incorrectly converts this to January 17 rather than
January 16 as expected.  To avoid this problem, manually convert the Keplerian
element reference epoch into the form:

                              DD/MMM/YY hh/mm/ss

          For example:          19Dec87 051033

Then enter the reference epoch in this form.  Alternatively, you may opt to
continue to use 1987 Keplerian elements until the fix is installed.  As a
further alternative, you could use 1988 elements and then go back through the
element editor to subtract one day to compensate for the glitch.

To obtain a replacement diskette for your defective SUPERTRAK or QUIKTRAK
program, return the diskette in a standard diskette mailer to AMSAT HQ and a
replacement 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 the SUPERTRAK and QUIKTRAK programs.
AMSAT apologizes for any inconvenience and appreciates your support as always.

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

5.(N)     TAPR President Resigns Suddenly; Cites Personal Pressures

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 last week.  The resignation was
totally unanticipated even by those working with him on a day-to-day basis.

Johnson has been recognized for his creative talents since TAPR's founding.
Indeed, he has been one of the most widely recognized and respected talents in
all of Amateur Radio and his reputation is legend around the world.  He had
been instrumental in the development of packet radio and has been widely
honored as making some of the major technical contributions to the hobby in
this decade.

Recently he was leading a joint TAPR-AMSAT design team working on a
state-of-the-art computer for AMSAT's PACSAT project.  According to AMSAT
Engineering VP Jan King, Lyle's sudden departure leaves a gaping hole in this
critical program that will not easily be filled.  Johnson continues as TAPR
President in caretaker status until the TAPR Board selects his replacement.

AMSAT profoundly regrets the circumstances which have led to Lyle's sudden
departure from the forefront of Amateur Radio technology but understands and
empathizes with his reasoning and wishes him well.

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

6.(N)     Nordski Plans On Track With February Test Announced

Preparations for the Skitrek and Nordski Projects continue apace with John
Henry, VE2VQ, meeting with Canadian External Affairs Ministry officials
January 14.  He says progress is good towards getting the Canadian SARSAT
program interfaced to the Nordski Project.  Initial trials of the system are
now contemplated for early February with follow-up tests as required.

Meanwhile, Martin Sweeting, G3YJO, says preparations are complete and the team
at Surrey, England stands in readiness for the first tests.  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.

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7.(N)     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 members will receive ASR directly from AMSAT
via Air Mail.  Previously, re-mailers had helped in distribution by remailing
from their locale.  However, the additional delays incurred and complaints
from members has resulted in the change in overseas mailing method and rates.

Members should renew early to beat the dues increase.  You may renew for
several years in advance.

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

8.(N)     Shuttle Engine Backup Design Retrieved To Salvage Launch Schedule

Confirming a tentative decision made a week ago, NASA has finalized plans to
use a back-up design for a space shuttle rocket booster part that failed last
month during a full scale test burn. According to Rear Admiral Richard Truly,
NASA Associate Administrator for Space Flight, "If the alternative part passes
rigorous testing and our other schedules are met, July 15th is the earliest we
could fly."

After the last full scale test firing of the re-designed solid fuel rocket
motor, officials noted that a carbon boot ring, designed to protect a nozzle
swiveling joint, has shattered. The performance of the rocket had not been
affected since the failure occurred during nozzle movement after the firing
was completed. The failed boot ring, thought to have been a final
configuration, will be replaced by the back-up design, tested successfully
last August.

One noteworthy difference between the August and December tests was the amount
of swivel the nozzles were subjected to.  The nozzles are swiveled in flight
to vector thrust and steer the shuttle.  In the August test, about two degrees
of swivel was used.  In the December test, however, a full seven degrees of
swivel was used.  The December test involved exercising the swivel mechanism
to the extreme limit to which the nozzle would be swiveled; a situation that
would occur only during an in-flight emergency. NASA will subject the back-up
design to the higher swivel angle test.

NASA Administrator James Fletcher sought to defuse speculation election year
politics will affect the shuttle launch schedule.  He announced his firm
commitment to fully testing and verifying all aspects of the shuttle and to
not resume launches until all safety concerns were satisfied.  The decision to
commence launchings will be made outside of the political arena he said
flatly.

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

                            RECENT NEWS IN REVIEW
                            =====================
Headlines:

9.(R)     Field Operations Begins Convention Support Planning For 1988
10.(U)    AO-10 Ops Schedule
11.(U)    FO-12 Ops Schedule

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9.(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.  In a typical calendar year
AMSAT supports 3 dozen large conventions and hamfests as well as numerous flea
markets and other special events.  New coordination and planning procedures
will be in effect this year KO5I says.

First, at least 30 days lead time will be required for adequate support of
major conventions.  This is necessary to package and economically ship
materials and supplies needed in AMSAT convention booths.  If you expect AMSAT
Headquarters support for your convention, be sure to give Doug, KO5I, or your
Regional Coordinator, at least 30 days advance notice.

Second, Field Operations is establishing an AMSAT Speakers' Bureau to respond
to and coordinate requests for AMSAT speakers and representatives at
conventions and meetings.  If you have received an invitation to speak or a
solicitation to provide a speaker, whether you intend to respond personally
yourself or not, please alert KO5I so he can insure the event is properly
slated in AMSAT's master event schedule.

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.

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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 04 thru Jan 17  |    0 thru 159 and 221 thru 255 |
           | 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.

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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 Jan19  12:55    Jan 20  12:01
                        JD    21  13:08        22  12:14
                        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.

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