[amsat-bb] Re: Can we get them to fix AO-40 first then?

[G0MRF@aol.com]

In a message dated 14/10/2009 23:17:11 GMT Standard Time, n1miw at cox.net  
writes:

My final  thought on this is - if you can't get the receiver to decode
commands, it's  a loss, end of story. If it will receive, make it open the
panels to get  more power to the bird. Once the satellite is fully
illuminated by the sun  during its rotation, then try to work on stabilizing
the satellite. Until  that is tried, I personally feel that not every last
attempt at reviving  AO-40 has been attempted,


Hi.
 
The first time I read the post, I thought simply, no power = no receiver so 
 no command to the satellite.
 
But then, I thought of something else.
 
When AO-40 was built, it would be launched with all systems off. When  
released into space some hardware would have switched on the receivers and a  
transmitter for telemetry.
 
Now, it's sitting there with a shorted battery.....or is it?
 
If the battery were to open circuit, then the satellite may think it's  
being switched on for the first time. But with AO-40 I seem to remember  that 
telemetry was on 2m.
 
The significance of your idea and my memory....is that the 2m transmitter  
does not work. So we would need to send a command to turn the S band 
transmitter  on.  
 
It is virtually impossible for S band to just appear, like AO-7 did if it  
is not the default mode at switch on.
But it completely justifies your idea of sending a command at it every now  
and again.  
 
Thanks for the thought
 
Regards
 
David