From: dave@ips.oz.au (Dave Horsfall)
Newsgroups: aus.radio.amsat
Subject: * SpaceNews 21-Sep-92 *
Date: 24 Sep 92 09:23:38 GMT
Distribution: aus
Organization: IPS Radio and Space Services.  Sydney, Australia.

Bulletin ID: $SPC0921


                              =========
                              SpaceNews
                              =========


                      MONDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 1992


SpaceNews originates at KD2BD in Wall Township, New Jersey, USA.  It
is published every week and is made available for unlimited distribution.


* STS-47 SAREX SUMMARY *
========================
The latest in a series of Amateur Radio Experiments flown in US Space
Shuttle missions can only be described as a complete success.  Not only
did astronaut/hams Jay Apt (N5QWL), and Mamoru Mohri (7L2NJY) make many
packet and voice contacts with ground stations on Earth, but the SAREX
radio equipment also came to the rescue on Friday when a communications
malfunction prevented normal Shuttle communications with Mission Control.

Communications were relayed to the ground using the SAREX portable 2-meter
FM transceiver.  Amateur Radio has always played an important role in
providing communications in circumstances where regular communication
links have failed, but this was the first time Amateur Radio emergency
communications was used in space.  This comes after emergency traffic
was recently passed through OSCAR-13, LUSAT, and UoSAT-OSCAR-22 in the
wake of hurricane Iniki, another Amateur Satellite "first".

During "normal" SAREX operations involving packet radio communications,
the "Robot" firmware contained in the SAREX TNC performed flawlessly
keeping a log of contacts, and transmitting short beacon messages generated
by the astronauts.  A few examples of the packet transmissions copied in
New Jersey follow:

W5RRR-1>WA8EBM [13-09-92  14:41:36] <I S0 R0>:
#638-is your STS-47 SAREX QSO number.

W5RRR-1>QSL <UI>:
WB4TBF/1209 KF5OJ/1205 KC4NHB/1204 N4TAE/1199 KC0LM/1198 W5VZF/1197 K0KJ/1195
YI1BGD/1181 KB1US/1138 KI4FN/1126 VK7ZBX/1115 VK7ZO/1114 VK6OD/1086
DL0CRE/1044 DL1YDD/1043

W5RRR-1>SAREX <UI>:
This is STS-47 SAREX Robot station W5RRR-1
onboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour.

W5RRR-1>QST <UI>:
It is 36 hours since launch, and everything is settling down to the routines
of the wonderful life up here.  We have had some wonderful views of Japan,
Chicago, Boston harbor, China, and Kamchatka.  We have seen the southern
aurora.  We just saw the lights of Palmer station on the Antartic
peninsula.  Many countries have connected to us...keep having fun!  73,
N5QWL.

During this SAREX mission, an uplink frequency of 144.700 MHz was used for
packet operations.  This caused some interference in areas served by FM
voice repeaters having input frequencies close to the 144.700 MHz uplink.
In one instance, emergency communications to a stranded motorist was
interfered with by ground stations attempting a packet connection with
SAREX.  A solution to this problem is currently under investigation.

QSL cards are available for all who either heard the Shuttle or actually
made two-way radio contact with the SAREX package.  QSLs should be sent
along with an SASE to:

Jap Apt, N5QWL
806 Shorewood Drive
Seabrook, Texas  77586
USA

Stations outside the US should include at least $0.50 or equivalent IRCs
for return postage.


* NEWS AWARD FOR ZS6BTD *
=========================
SA AMSAT has awarded the "Spirit of Achievement Award" to Gerald
Klatzko ZS6BTD for his tremendous efforts in transmitting regular
Amateur Radio News Bulletins.  The award was announced at
SPACECON 92, SA AMSAT's annual conference held in Johannesburg on
September 12.

For many more years than anyone wishes to remember, Gerald has
backed up Hans van de Groenendaal ZS6AKV in presenting the Sunday
morning SA AMSAT Net.  He also carries out the simultaneous relays
on 20 and 40 meters.

Gerald is also responsible for the South African Radio League,
Johannesburg daily Amateur Radio News Update which goes out on two
meters 13 times each day.  He compiles and records two editions of
the bulletin per week.  During SAREX missions or other important
events bulletins are often updated several times per day.

With the Spirit of Achievement Award SA AMSAT wishes to recognize
Gerald for the tremendous contribution he is making to the
development of Amateur Radio and in particular Amateur Radio Space
Communication.

[Info via ZS6AKV]


* AO-13 HAS A NEW ATTITUDE *
============================
Magnetorquing from attitude 150/0 to 180/0 began on Sunday,
September 20th at 01:19 UTC on orbit 3268/224, and will continue
for a total of 6 perigees.  Estimated interim attitudes are:

Orbit Alon/Alat Orbit Alon/Alat  Orbit Alon/Alat

 3272  171/-2    3273   176/-1    3274  181/0
 3268  147/-4    3269   154/-4    3270  160/-4
 3271  166/-4

Accuracy +/- 5 degrees

The new schedule will be uploaded during mode-L, orbit 3272.  So only
3272 will contain two mode-JLS sessions: MA 40-70 and 130-160.

Magnetorquing is not an exact science, and there is always a possibility of
changes to the above plan, and of unannounced interruptions to the schedule.

[info via James Miller, G3RUH]


* FO-20 NEWS *
==============
Mode JA transponder operation is scheduled from September 30th at 01:55 UTC
through October 1st at 02:23 UTC.

[Info via Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK]


* MESSAGES *
============
Thanks to the following who sent feedback to SpaceNews, especially:

KZ1Z  TA2D  VE2DDT  K4SAO  WA6ARA  N8OFS


* 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
UUCP     : ...ocpt.ccur.com!ka2qhd!kd2bd
BITNET   : ...princeton!ocpt!ka2qhd!kd2bd
PACKET   : KD2BD @ NN2Z.NJ.USA.NA
INTERNET : kd2bd@ka2qhd.de.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 to be read in space! -=>>

-- 
Dave Horsfall (VK2KFU)         VK2KFU @ VK2RWI.NSW.AUS.OC
dave@ips.OZ.AU                  ...munnari!ips.OZ.AU!dave
Newsgroups: aus.radio.amsat