[amsat-bb] AO7 Eclipse Cycle

[K4FEG]

AO7 is in Mode B and is giving every indication, from reports around the 
globe, to being in the Eclipse Cycle while over Antarctica.

The software being used by those predicting the eclipse periods are Nova 
and SatPC32, both seem to be very accurate and predicted the start of 
the eclipse cycle very closely.

If the predictions are correct, we will have daily eclipses while the 
satellite passes over Antarctica and based on other information that I 
have received, the satellite will, by default, power up in Mode B after 
the "Zero Voltage State" occurs during the eclipse.

I plan to continue to monitor the Mode status daily and look for any 
variables that might happen with the satellite. Last year we seemed to 
have had distortion issues for a period during the time when we were in 
the Eclipse Cycle. I have no idea if, or even if it is possible, that 
the Eclipse Cycle was causing any of the audio distortions that were 
noticed last year during the Eclipse Cycle.

I hope with closer observation, this year we can follow any changes in 
the satellite functions and see how they relate to the total loss of 
power on the satellite as it travels through the eclipse periods.

If anyone has any suggestions for things to watch for, or if there are 
other things to monitor, that might give us a better understanding of 
how the satellite is functioning, please feel free to comment. I think 
we have actually caught the beginning of the Eclipse Cycle this year and 
I think we will be able to see how long it will last and if it is having 
any effect on the "health" of the satellite.

73 ALL FRM
K4FEG
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