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ZS6FB > SAT 08.06.03 08:43l 55 Lines 2261 Bytes #999 (0) @ AMSAT
BID : ANS-159.02
Read: GUEST
Subj: PCSat2 Testing Continues
Path: DB0ZKA<DB0FSG<DB0SIF<DB0EA<DB0RES<ON0AR<VE3FJB<F6GGY<TU5EX<F3KT<
ZS6FB
Sent: 030608/0557Z @:ZS6FB.MPU.ZAF.AF #:2646 PACTOR-2: XFBB7.04 $:ANS-159.02
From: ZS6FB@ZS6FB.MPU.ZAF.AF
To : SAT@AMSAT
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 159.02 From AMSAT HQ
Silver Spring, MD. June 8, 2003
To All Radio Amateurs
BID: $ANS-159.02
PCsat <=> PCSAT2 constellation test success.
On 02 June 2003 PCSAT2 (fully configured flight prototype) was rolled out
onto the Plaza for the 1210z pass of PCsat for a dual-satellite
constellation test. Since PCSAT2 was in its normal flight configuration
(but
sitting on the ground), this would demonstrate the range over which the two
spacecraft could communicate on orbit between their whip antennas. The
results were excellent!
PCSAT2 was set to transmit a packet via PCsat once every 20 seconds.
Both birds on 145.825 MHz. These packets normally compete with other user
packets. Since the channel is contention based 100% throughput is never
expected. But a success means that the two spacecraft can communicate over
that range. There were 7 other spacecraft users at the time.
TIME AZ EL RANGE Comments
-------- --- -- ------- ------------------------------------
08:10:18 Finished commanding PCsat into proper mode for test
08:10:29 107 49 1024 km Success
08:10:49 095 48 1040 km not heard
08:11:05 087 46 1066 km Success
08:11:25 078 43 1112 km not heard
08:11:45 070 39 1173 km Success
08:12:05 064 36 1246 km not heard
08:12:25 059 32 1329 km Success
08:12:45 055 29 1420 km Success
08:13:05 051 26 1510 km not heard
08:13:24 049 23 1616 km not heard. Blocked by Rickover Building
Then it rained again. The PCSat2 team had been waiting to do this test for
almost 2 weeks. At this time it is not known if the ultimate range is about
1500 km or whether we could have heard more if the building had not
intervened. There was no success before the time shown, as that time was
spent commanding PCsat to the proper mode. It will be at least 2 weeks
before there is another opportunity for this type of testing.
Bob Bruinga, WB4APR, adds, "We hope others that are building small AX.25
packet satellites will consider including a TNC digipeater on 145.825 to add
to this Amateur Satellite constellation."
Bob also reports that PCSAT2's July launch has been delayed to January
pending resumption of Shuttle flights.
[ANS thanks Bob, WB4APR, for the above information]
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