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] <UI>:
This is STS-59 SAREX Robot station W5RRR-1
onboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour.
 
W5RRR-1>QST [04/12/94  10:14:01] <I S4 R0>:
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
