From: dave@eram.esi.COM.AU (Dave Horsfall)
Newsgroups: aus.radio.amsat
Subject: * SpaceNews 02-Nov-92 *
Date: 4 Nov 92 11:09:46 GMT
Distribution: aus
Organization: Pacific ESI, Sydney, AUSTRALIA

Bulletin ID: $SPC1102


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


                       MONDAY NOVEMBER 2, 1992


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


* SATELLITE PROTON EVENT ALERT *
================================
A satellite level proton event at greater than 10 MeV began at 19:20 UTC
on 30-Oct-92.  Protons at greater than 10 MeV began arriving near 18:50 UTC.
Protons at greater than 100 MeV were also arriving, but were not expected
to reach event levels.

This proton event could have an impact on amateur satellite health, and
could cause single even upsets (SEUs) within the RAM on OSCAR satellites.
Jim White, WD0E, reminds us to watch radiation and SEU counts as telemetered
through OSCAR beacons to evaluate the impact of this event.


* K6LIE OSCAR-13 GATEWAY NEWS *
===============================
Jerry Aceto, K6LIE, of Kirkland WA has been working on a Satellite Gateway
on his repeater (224.160 MHz).  After years of hard work, his dream has
finally been realized.  His Gateway consists of a Yaesu 101ZD into a 70-cm
transverter for the uplink, and receives fair signal reports with 8-10 watts.
The downlink signal is fed into a NEC CQB2600 transceiver (rare radio).
He is using a Cushcraft AOP-1 antenna system, with manual tracking.
He hopes to upgrade to automated tracking in the near future.

The K6LIE AO-13 Gateway has provided some good DX contacts through AO-13,
like 7Z2BC in Sauda Arabia to name one.  In building this Gateway, Jerry
has provided a real service to the Amateur community by giving a wide range
of individuals a taste of Amateur Satellite communications.

[Info via Richard N7VWJ Seattle, WA]


* FO-20 SKED *
==============
The latest Mode JA analog transponder schedule is as follows:

04-Nov-92 00:15 UTC -to- 05-Nov-92 00:35 UTC
11-Nov-92 00:40 UTC -to- 12-Nov-92 00:55 UTC
18-Nov-92 01:05 UTC -to- 19-Nov-92 01:25 UTC
25-Nov-92 01:30 UTC -to- 26-Nov-92 00:00 UTC

[Info via Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK]


* MIR NEWS *
============
Amateur radio operations onboard the Russian space station Mir have become
infrequent and irratic in recent months.  The packet radio Personal Message
System (PMS) has only been in operation about once per week.  Although no
official word has been heard regarding the lack of Amateur Radio activity
from Mir, it is believed the reduction in activity is a result of increased
Cosmonaut work activity.


* OSCAR-13 NEWS *
=================
Magnetorquing from attitude 180/0 to 210/0 will commence on Saturday
21-Nov-92 at 2358 UTC, orbit 3400/224, and will continue for 4 perigees.

Estimated interim attitudes will be (+/- 5 degrees):

Orbit Alon/Alat Orbit Alon/Alat Orbit Alon/Alat Orbit Alon/Alat
===============================================================
 3401  190/-5    3402   197/-3   3403  203/-2    3404  210/0

The new schedule will be uploaded during mode-L, orbit 3404.  So 3404 (only)
will contain two mode-JLS sessions: MA 130-160 and 180-210.

Magnetorquing is not an exact science, and during this time there is (and
always has been) the possibility of unnanounced temporary operational
changes to facilitate dealing with problems arising.  In the
past this has included transponders OFF, and mode changes.

Operational plans for 1993 are being finalized and will be announced
shortly.

The upcoming AO-13 operating schedule is as follows:

L G3RUH/DB2OS/VK5AGR  ***  Future AO-13 Transponder Schedule ***
Mode-B  : MA   0 to MA 180 !     from  1992 Nov 23 - Dec 14/21
Mode-S  : MA 180 to MA 190 !<- S transponder; B trsp. is OFF!
Mode-LS : MA 190 to MA 195 !<- S beacon + L transponder
Mode-JL : MA 195 to MA 210 !        Alon/Alat 210/0
Mode-B  : MA 210 to MA 256 !   Modes J,L,S OFF Dec 14 - 21
Omnis   : MA 245 to MA  80 !  Move to attitude 130/0, Dec 21

Please don't uplink to B, MA 180-190. Interferes with mode S.

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, 435.658
MHz and 2400.646 MHz in CW, RTTY and 400 bps PSK.

[Info via James, G3RUH]


* 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     : ...catfish.ocpt.ccur.com!ka2qhd!kd2bd
PACKET   : KD2BD @ NN2Z.NJ.USA.NA (Temporarily out of service)
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 read in space! -=>>

-- 
Dave Horsfall (VK2KFU)         VK2KFU @ VK2RWI.NSW.AUS.OC
dave@esi.COM.AU                ...munnari!esi.COM.AU!dave
           Disclaimer: "Me, speak for us?"