SB NEWS @ AMSAT $SPC0418 * SpaceNews 18-Apr-94 * BID: $SPC0418 ========= SpaceNews ========= MONDAY APRIL 18, 1994 SpaceNews originates at KD2BD in Wall Township, New Jersey, USA. It is published every week and is made available for unlimited distribution. * STS-59 SAREX NEWS * ===================== The following are some packet frames received from the Space Shuttle Endeavour by Andy, WA5ZIB: W5RRR-1>SAREX [04/12/94 10:13:38] : This is STS-59 SAREX Robot station W5RRR-1 onboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. W5RRR-1>QST [04/12/94 10:14:01] : Thanks to all of you hams who have connected to our packet station and worked us on voice! It really makes us feel closely connected to the people and places that we are flying over. On board Endeavour things are working very well - the scientists are very happy with the data they are acquiring. I am very happy to be back in space, and it all feels very familiar and nice. Our crew has been very well trained, and we were able to accomplish all our tasks as scheduled so far. We have had some spectacular views of Earth - we just flew over Tahiti, for example. 73, N5QWL 12 April 1994 02:20 UTC QSLs are available through the ARRL at the following address: ARRL ATTN: STS-59 QSLs 225 Main Street Newington, CT 06111 USA Include a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) with your QSL. Non-US stations should include a self addressed envelope with $0.50 of US postage affixed or appropriate IRCs. Include the callsign worked, date, UTC, mode, and frequency. For packet contacts, include the QSO number issued by the Robot. SWL QSLs: Include the callsign heard, date, UTC, mode, and frequency. * SOLAR ECLIPSE INFORMATION * ============================= On 1994 May 10 (Tue), an annular solar eclipse will be visible throughout North and Central America. The May issue of "Sky & Telescope" (p 72ff) details this event, the last of its type visible in the continental US until 2012 May 20. Scott, KF9QK, plans to monitor 10-meter beacons for the effect of the eclipse on radio propagation. Of interest is a predicted 'bow shock' effect on ionospheric propagation as the annular eclipse proceeds, so amateurs should plan observations well ahead and after their astronomical eyeball brethren. Observations of any effect on V/UHF propagation are also of interest. A log of conditions before, during and after the event would be most helpful. "Sky & Telescope" provides the needed planning information. Radio observers, of course, need not worry about atmospheric conditions. Weather-wise, observers can also expect noticeable shifts in temperature, pressure and wind during the annular eclipse. An observer in Indiana has requested such information, which, if forwarded to KF9QK, will be relayed. Again, the better the log, the more it's worth. Scott may be reached via packet radio at: KF9QK @ N9HSI.IL.USA.NOAM [Info via KF9QK] * AMSAT PBBS MOVE * =================== The AMSAT PBBS changed frequency and modes on April 15th at 1600 UTC. The AMSAT PBBS will be on a Mark frequency of 14.079 MHz, (that's 14.1811 MHz AFSK LSB), using Pactor with the callsign WT0N. The new schedule will be as follows: Monday through Saturday from 1600 UTC until 2300 UTC on a Mark freqeuncy of 14.079 MHz. From 2330 UTC until 0400 UTC on a Mark freqeuncy of 7.0735 MHz (that's 7.0756 MHz AFSK LSB), using Pactor. These changes have been made to better serve AMSAT users with greater coverage and use of a mode that many of the users have expressed an interest in. If anyone would like to use the Mode G-TOR, please let WT0N know and he will see about setting up a schedule for G-TOR users. Please send any comments or suggestions to one of the following: INTERNET: BJARTS@STTHOMAS.EDU PACKET: WT0N@WB0GDB.#STP.MN.USA.NOAM PACTOR: WT0N The AMSAT PBBS will have updated Keps and AMSAT bulletins, along with SpaceNews and other satellite related items. [Info via BJ Arts, WT0N] * JOHNSON SPACE CENTER BBS INFORMATION * ======================================== The Johnson Space Center Amateur Radio Club has set up a telephone computer bulletin board (BBS). The purpose of the BBS is to provide a source of current Space Shuttle mission Keplerian Elements. There are limited number of BBS files available for downloading. Among the current files are: o Current and old element sets for the mission in progress o Current mission information o Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment (SAREX) information o Recent Space Shuttle Mission Schedules and Manifests o Astronaut/Cosmonaut Ham List o Current JSC Amateur Radio Club Newsletter We ask that no files be uploaded to the BBS. The telephone number is (713) 244-5625. The speed is anything up to 9600 baud. The parameters are N-8-1. The BBS is currently running in ProComm HOST mode, so the log on is very simple and downloading is easy. After logging in you will see the Welcome Screen describing the BBS. Also, the Welcome Screen contains the current and latest element set number (e.g., JSC008) loaded on the BBS. Check it against your last set so you won't waste your time duplicating a set you already have. Press ENTER to bring up the second page containing the current Space Shuttle Keplerian Element Set. If you have a file capture or screen capture function in your communications software, use it for this page. That way, you won't have to go through the file download process if all you wanted was the latest element set. If you have any comments for the Club or BBS sysop, leave a message and the sysops will respond. Dale Martin, KG5U @ KA5KTH.#SETX.TX.USA.NA Secretary, Johnson Space Center ARC Houston, Texas * AMATEUR SPACE SHOT * ====================== With funding from the National Space Society, the Pacific Rocket Society (PRS) is building a nitric acid/furfuryl alcohol rocket designed to achieve an altitude of 80 kilometers--the edge of space. Of interest to the AMSAT folks is the television and data telemetry payload designed and built by Duncan Cumming, KD6GKE. (Duncan is a native of Birmingham England and holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from Cambridge University.) The system transmits video from a small security camera at 434 MHz and data at 145.75 MHz. The data channels include GPS, magnetometer, accelerometer, altimeter, launch detector, engine temperatures and pressures and status switches. The heart of the system is a Tattletale IV single board 6303 based computer. An article on Duncan's telemetry system, co-authored by George Morgan, WB6ZUV, appears in the April 1994 issue of "High Power Rocketry." The launch will be from the Pacific Rocket Society test site in the Mojave Desert later this year. The PRS meets monthly in the physics classroom of Chaminade College Preparatory, West Hills, California. Inquiries about the project can be sent to PRS president Charles Pooley, KD6HKU at ckp@netcom.com or to Dave Reeves at kf6pj@amsat.org or chaminade@amsat.org. [Info via Dave Reeves, KF6PJ/WA6BYE] * 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: 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] * THANKS! * =========== Thanks to all those who sent messages of appreciation to SpaceNews, especially: N9QKD WT0N and Bob, N7PTM, who uploads SpaceNews to the GEnie telephone BBS system. Bob places SpaceNews in the Radio and Electronics section, and is told it is available in the Space section as well. * 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