Author Archives: PE0SAT

Aalto-1 Mission

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An animation showing most of the Aalto-1 mission phases.

Aalto-1 is a student satellite project of Aalto University, Finland. When launched, it will be Finland’s first satellite. It is planned to operate at VHF-UHF and there will also be an S-band transmitter. Up to 8 watts of power will be available from the solar panels.

The main payload of the satellite is a novel tiny Fabry-Perot imaging spectrometer, developed by VTT, Finland. The primary scientific goal of the mission is to demonstrate the feasibility of MEMS Fabry-Perot spectrometers for space applications. This miniature technology can be used in nanosatellites for large a variety of remote sensing applications in the future.

High spectral resolution images can be used for water quality monitoring and land use classification.

AO-7 Mode A

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AO7 Phase-IIBToday we put up a multi band antenna that can be used for 28, 21 and 14 MHz. The next couple of days we will give Oscar 7 a try when it is in mode A. I hope noise levels are much lower in mode A then in mode B. It is very difficult to work stations because of the high noise level when the satellite is in Mode B and is descending to the north.

I have no idea if a single multi band antenna will be enough for Mode A. Hope to hear you on Oscar 7.

CO-65 digipeater always ON

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This is a nice opportunity to use your 23cm radio and antenna setup. There are not many Satellites that have 23cm enabled.

CUTE-1.7 + APD II - CO-65Ground Station of CO-65 says that Digipeater is always open in March all over the world.

Uplink 1267.600MHz / Downlink 437.475MHz, 9600bps GMSK

Via the following links one can find more information and send reports.

http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/ct17gmsk.htm
http://www.dk3wn.info/p/?p=26685

[PE0SAT Thanks JE9PEL for the above information]

VO-52 Dutch Transponder Active

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The commands to ‘Turn On’ the transponder # 2 (Dutch transponder, made by Williams PE1RAH) on-board HAMSAT VO-52 was successfully sent during 14:00 UT 35 deg ascending Node pass over Bangalore, India.

Hamsat VO-52 Collection

The sent commands were successfully received, acknowledged and confirmed by the telemetry. Subsequently, the transponder # 2 is now ‘ON’ and Williams CW message beacon was heard again after a gap of approximately 6 years & 4 months.

The beacon signal was heard loud and strong here at Bangalore.

A detailed Initial reports addressed to: tprangan@istrac.org and a copy to wmy@isac.gov.in would be greatly appreciated.

[PE0SAT Thanks VU2WMY and PE1RAH for the above information]

After this message on Amsat-BB my first possibility to listen for VO-52 was on 14-03-2012 15:55 UTC. During this pass I made the following recording of the CW beacon on 145.860. Listen to my recording via the following link [download id=”14″]. The elvation was 2 degrees and The signals where 5 – 5 up to 5 – 7. When listening to the recording there is some distortion that is likely caused by transponder use with too much power.

HI HI HI THIS IS VUSAT WITH THE DUTCH MODE UV TRANSPONDER MADE BY WILLIAM LEIJENAAR 73 DE PE1RAH
HI HI HI THIS IS VUSAT WITH THE DUTCH MODE UV TRANSPONDER MADE BY WILLIAM LEIJENAAR 73 DE PE1RAH
HI HI HI THIS IS VUSAT WITH THE DUTCH MODE UV TRANSPONDER MADE BY WILLIAM LEIJENAAR 73 DE PE1RAH

It is good to hear that the Dutch transponder is operationel again after so many years, a job wel done by William Leijneaar (PE1RAH), who has built this transponder.

VO-52 Dutch Transponder Switching ON

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Update: 13-03-2012 16:04 CEST

Due to ‘Operational Constraints’ the commands to turn on the transponder were not been able to send. In-convenience caused is regretted. The next attempt would be made during 01:44 UT pass over India. On behalf of ‘Operations Director-VO-52 Mani, VU2WMY

Subsequent to the clearance by the ‘Expert committee’ the Transponder # 2 (The Dutch Transponder made by William Leijenaar PE1RAH) on board HAMSAT VO-52 would be switched ‘ON’ at 13:42 UT on 13.03.2012 during orbit # 37080 over India.

A ‘Critical Comparative Signal Report’ between the Indian and Dutch transponder would be of great help for further evaluations and necessary actions for the maintenance the transponder in good and healthy condition for better services and also, the inputs would be very valuable to the respective transponder designers.

We all hope, Williams PE1RAH would be very happy with our decision and behalf of every one here in India involved with project, wish Williams and his transponder, once again all the very best and good luck.

Uplink frequency : 435.25 MHz
Downlink frequency : 145.9 MHz
Beacon : CW at 145.859330 MHz (145.86 MHz)
Output level of Beacon : 18 dBm

Thanks to AMSAT-India (Nitin VU3TYG) for the all the help and co-ordination provided.

My first pass will be at 19:45 CEST I will give it a try and see how it is working

VO52 Pass at 13-03-2012 19:45 CEST

Update 13-03-2012 14:30 CEST:

In an email exchange between me and William (PE1RAH) it became clear to me that this is the first time in seven year that the Dutch transponder will beactivated. Compared to the Indian transponder, when the dutch transponder is active a CW signal can be heard on the beacon frequency.

[PE0SAT Thanks Mani, VU2WMY and PE1RAH for the above information]