Winter 2004 Issue

SATELLITES

Frequently Asked Questions

 By Tom Webb,* WA9AFM

Over the past several issues of CQ VHF magazine we’ve explored numerous aspects of getting into amateur satellite operations. As with any subject, you just can’t cover every last point, however. Therefore, I took some thoughtful moments to record some of the more common questions I get from folks who have taken the plunge into space communications. Here are but a few “Frequently Asked Questions” that probably fell by the wayside in our previous discussions.

“I’ve been listening for UO-14, but have heard nothing. Is it still operating?”

Unfortunately, UO-14 has ceased operations. After many years of faithful service and thousands of QSOs, UO-14 went “silent key” in late October 2003. First launched in 1990, UO-14 began its service as a PACSAT (digital satellite). As it was “ride sharing” with other, non-amateur services, UO-14 was switched to a non-amateur service for the Volunteers In Technical Assistance to provide communications for remote areas of Africa. Later UO-14 returned to amateur service as an FM voice repeater. UO-14’s 5-watt downlink enabled folks with simple rubber-ducky antennas on a dual-band HT to conduct amateur satellite communications. At present, SO-41 and SO-50 have taken UO-14’s place. Go to the AMSAT website, <http://www.amsat.org>, for information on SO-41 and SO-50 and the latest news on the UO-14 replacement, OSCAR-E “Echo.”

“My tracking program says the bird is in view, but I don’t hear anything. What’s wrong?”
There could be a variety of reasons. It well may be the bird has been shut down by the command team to upload new software or fix a software/hardware configuration problem. The Internal Housekeeping Unit (IHU)—i.e., the main computer—may have shut down the bird to allow batteries to recharge. Several amateur satellites “ride share” with other satellites that have scientific- or government-sponsored missions. Thus, the amateur satellite transponder well may be shut down in deference to these missions, which have a higher priority. If you subscribe to the AMSAT reflector (again, see <http://www.amsat.org>), you can get the latest information on the amateur satellite system and the most current status of your favorite bird. Another possibility is that your tracking program is giving erroneous data. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including out-of-date Keplerian elements, the program has been given an inaccurate position of the observer (your station), or the time in your PC is inaccurate.

“Where can I get an accurate time hack for my computer?”

There are numerous sites on the internet to get a “time hack” for your computer. Accurate time is important for precise satellite tracking. One source is integrated into the tracking program Nova For Windows®. Go to the Setup menu, select Time, and then select Internet Time Set. The resulting dialog box will give you the option of a particular scheduled time synchronization or having the operation performed when you open Nova. You can also select from a variety of time servers, depending on your location. Another source is Precision Time, which is found at <http:// www.precision-time.com>. This source requires you to download files. When opened and loaded, Precision Time (and Date) provides manual or scheduled time synchronization of your PC clock.
 

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