SB NEWS @ AMSAT $SPC0411
* SpaceNews 11-Apr-94 *
 
 
BID: $SPC0411
 
 
                               =========
                               SpaceNews
                               =========
 
 
                          MONDAY APRIL 11, 1994
 
 
SpaceNews originates at KD2BD in Wall Township, New Jersey, USA.  It is
published every week and is made available for unlimited distribution.
 
 
* NEW AO-13 SCHEDULE *
======================
Magnetorquing from attitude 180/0 to 230/-5 commenced on Apr 04 [Fri] 1810 
UTC, orbit 4446/224, and continued for 8 perigees.  The new schedule
commenced on orbit 4452 MA 145 Apr 07 [Thu] 1120 UTC.
 
*** AO-13 TRANSPONDER SCHEDULE ***  1994 Apr 07-Jul 11
Mode-B  : MA   0 to MA 170 |
Mode-BS : MA 170 to MA 218 |
Mode-S  : MA 218 to MA 220 |<- S beacon only
Mode-S  : MA 220 to MA 230 |<- S transponder; B trsp. is OFF
Mode-BS : MA 230 to MA 250 |        Alon/Alat 230/-5
Mode-B  : MA 250 to MA 256 |
Omnis   : MA 250 to MA 120 |  Move to attitude 180/0, Jul 11
 
NEW ATTITUDE - Note: The mean attitude for the period 1994 Apr 07-Jul 11 
will be ALON/ALAT 230/0.  This is an Alon 10 degrees "better" than 
originally proposed.  It is achieved at the expense of a 10 degree "worse" 
Sun angle, which will will now reach 40 degrees (77% illumination) 
May 30-Jul 11.  During that period the Mode-B transponder *might* have to 
be OFF from MA 250-80 to conserve battery power.
 
Please don't rely on gossip and rumour!  Continuous up to date information
about AO-13 operations is always available on the beacons, 145.812 MHz or
2400.664 MHz in CW, RTTY and 400 bps PSK.  These bulletins are also posted
to Internet, ANS, Packet, PacSats etc, and many international newsletters. 
A 400 bps PSK decoder is available from G3RUH and several DSP products;
display software P3C.EXE etc from many AMSAT groups.
 
The active command stations are listed below, and constructive feedback
about operations is always welcome.
 
  Peter   DB2OS  @ DB0FAU.#NDS.DEU.EU
  James   G3RUH  @ GB7DDX.#22.GBR.EU
  Graham  VK5AGR @ VK5WI.#ADL.#SA.AUS.OC
 
The above may also be reached via Internet (callsign@amsat.org) and KO-23.
Please remember to state clearly a return address.
 
Notes prepared on behalf of, and in total cooperation with the above by:
 
James Miller G3RUH @ GB7DDX.#22.GBR.EU   1994 Apr 04 [Mon] 0600 UTC
 
 
* AMSAT NET VIA SATELLITE *
===========================
Bruce Paige, KB5ZRV, is the AMSAT Area Coordinator in Houston, Texas.  Bruce 
runs a local AMSAT net that meets on the 147.100 MHz repeater every Tuesday 
evening at 10:00 PM local Central Time.  The net is rebroadcast over the
Galaxy 3 satellite, Transponder 17 on a 5.8 MHz subcarrier.
 
This net is then received live and retransmitted by repeater operators
in Toronto, Canada, Anchorage, Alaska (3 repeaters), New England States
(6 repeaters), Ontario, CA, Lawton, OK, Indianapolis, IN, Fargo, ND.  It
has also been heard in Hawaii and other states.
 
The net has a telephone number for those that would like to ask questions 
of the net or check in.  There are beginners segments that lasts 3-5
minutes, and explain how satellite novices can work various satellites, 
describes different types of station equipment necessary to work satellites,
and other topics that beginners find useful in getting started in satellite 
operations.  SAREX operating techniques have also been covered.
 
This net re-broadcast is free for the taking by those with TVRO ground
stations.  The people who run the net are having a great time and have 
found many people are listening in that do not have AMSAT nets in their 
local areas.
 
Any comments can be directed to Bruce via the Internet at kb5zrv@amsat.org. 
 
 
* FO-20 SCHEDULE *
==================
The FO-20 command station announced that FO-20 will be placed in Mode JA
(Analog transponder mode) during Field Day 1994 (25-Jun-94 18:00 UTC through
26-Jun-94 18:00 UTC).
 
The current operating schedule is as follows:
  
Analog mode:
    06-Apr-94 06:45 -to- 13-Apr-94 07:10 UTC
    20-Apr-94 07:35 -to- 27-Apr-94 07:55 UTC
    11-May-94 06:54 -to- 18-May-94 07:20 UTC
 
Digital mode:
    Unless otherwise noted above.
 
[Info via Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK] 
 
 
* FUJI AWARD INFORMATION *
==========================
Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, reports that a "Fuji" award is available to users
of the FO-20 satellite.  Applicants should have confirmed CW or SSB contacts 
with 10 different amateur stations through the FO-20 Amateur Satellite.  A 
fee of 8 IRCs or US $4 will be charged per award.  An additional 2 IRCs will
be charged for air mail delivery regardless of the number of the awards
claimed.  If QSL cards are submitted, sufficient funds for return postage 
will also be required.
 
Correspondence should be sent to:
 Japan Amateur Radio League -- Award Desk
 1-14-2 Sugamo, Toshima, Tokyo 170, Japan
 
 
* SpaceNews BBS UPDATE *
========================
The SpaceNews packet radio BBS sponsored by Mario, KD6ILO, reported in last
week's issue of SpaceNews has changed frequency.  It can now be found 
operating on 145.050 MHz.  The latest issue of SpaceNews, as well as other 
AMSAT and satellite-related news and information can be found on this BBS.  
The BBS is also linked to the UoSAT-OSCAR-22 satellite through the N7RSN 
SatGate also located in Tacoma, WA.
 
 
* THANKS! *
===========
Thanks to all those who sent messages of appreciation to SpaceNews,
especially:
 
   K2UVG        VE3OZL          W4AT            ZR5JRS          VE7AHX
 
 
* FEEDBACK/INPUT WELCOMED *
===========================
Mail to SpaceNews should be directed to the editor (John, KD2BD) via any
of the following paths:
 
FAX      : 1-908-747-7107
PACKET   : KD2BD @ N2KZH.NJ.USA.NA
INTERNET : kd2bd@ka2qhd.ocpt.ccur.com  -or- kd2bd@amsat.org
 
MAIL     : John A. Magliacane, KD2BD
           Department of Engineering and Technology
           Advanced Technology Center
           Brookdale Community College
           Lincroft, New Jersey  07738
           U.S.A.
 
 
       <<=- SpaceNews: The first amateur newsletter read in space! -=>> 
 
/EX