[amsat-bb] Report on AO-51 38k4 packet session

[Mark L. Hammond]

Hello All,

During the period November 16 - November 19, 2009 AO-51 was configured
as follows:

38k4 BBS, L/U
Uplink: 1268.700 MHz 9k6 FM
Downlink: 435.150 MHz 38k4 FM

According to my records, the 38k4 packet mode had not been used in
more than 3 years!

In order to facilitate the high speed packet testing, the satellite
was configured such that TXB (435.300) was OFF and TXA (435.150) was
set to between 2.05-2.15 W output.  During last 12 hours of the period
the baud rate was reduced to 9600.  The bird performed nominally
during this period.   Interested parties can always peruse the whole
orbit telemetry data from AO-51 at:
ftp://ftp.amsat.org/amsat/telemetry/ao51

Several users reported activity during this mode, and we appreciate
your feedback.

Additional 38k4 packet testing at lower transmit power levels may
occur in the future; the reduced power output should permit
simultaneous operations of TXA and TXB so that voice operations can
continue during the testing.

On behalf of the command team,



Mark L. Hammond  [N8MH]