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CX2SA > SAT 04.07.04 01:48l 72 Lines 3177 Bytes #999 (0) @ AMSAT
BID : ANS-186.02
Read: DK7JAN GUEST
Subj: ECHO Commissioning Progress Update
Path: DB0FHN<DB0RGB<DB0IGL<DB0FSG<HB9EAS<F6KDL<F6KIM<F6KMO<ON0AR<ON0AR<
ON4HU<CX2ACB<CX2SA
Sent: 040703/2340Z @:CX2SA.LAV.URY.SA #:48477 [Minas] FBB7.00e $:ANS-186.02
From: CX2SA@CX2SA.LAV.URY.SA
To : SAT@AMSAT
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 186.02 From AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD. July 4, 2004
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-186.02
Testing and checkout of ECHO is continuing. ECHO's TX0 transmitter
can be heard transmitting 9600 baud FSK telemetry on a frequency of
435.150 MHz. Command Stations are varying the output power of the TX0
transmitter. During times when the satellite is in view of a command
station the power is likely to be set to a higher level, somewhere between 1
and 2 watts, depending on power budget and received signal strength. During
the remaining time the power will be about 0.6 watts.
The command team continues to load software into Echo and as of Saturday, 03
July 2004 the file system and Whole Orbit Data software are operational.
Packets received which contain "LDR" are replies by ECHO to command stations
as they upload software to the satellite. The next step in the commissioning
process is to collect Whole Orbit Data (WOD) from the satellite through
Monday night. This will allow a good look at telemetry data for a complete
orbit. WOD is needed to determine spacecraft attitude, configure the BCR,
and get a better look at the overall health of the satellite.
The Command Stations have confirmed that ECHO is international designator
04025K which corresponds to NORAD object number 28375 in the orbital element
set database.
The first AMSAT-NA packet satellite was PACSAT (AO-16) launched in
1990. It continues to use the call sign PACSAT. Since there is a limit of
6 characters for a number of software reasons, PACB, was chosen as the next
in the series if callsigns for ECHO..
BBS callsigns:
PACB-11
PACB-12
These follow the standard for all packet store and forward amateur
satellites. Once the store and forward BBS is open for general use WiSP and
other programs that implement the Pacsat Broadcast Protocol will work fine.
WiSP can be downloaded from the AMSAT website's software page at
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/software.php
With the file system now running, the downlink is going to show the BBS is
open. Everyone is requested to please not transmit to ECHO until checkout
and commissioning has been completed. Unexpected uplinks may cause delays in
verifying the proper operation of ECHO and delay the opening of the
transponders to general use.
The Command Team would like to thank everyone that has sent in Echo
Telemetry to date. Keep up the good work!
It has been noted by several users that TlmEcho has difficulty configuring
certain TNC's into KISS mode. Once ECHO is commissioned, work on the
software modifications to correctly initialize those TNC's into KISS mode
can begin. As a method to work around the situation until we can correct,
please try the following.
1) Run Wisp, Terminal Program, or you usual method to configure your TNC for
KISS mode.
2) Disconnect the serial cable to the TNC
3) Start TlmEcho
4) Reconnect your serial cable to the TNC
If you select "n" for the KISSOFF and KISSON line in the CPBINI.TXT file you
should not have to disconnect the serial cable.
[ANS thanks Jim, WD0E and Mike, KE4AZN for the above information]
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