[amsat-bb] Listening for QIKCOM-1?

[Robert Bruninga]

Anyone looking for  something to do with a gain array, might want to track
the SIMPL spacecraft while listening on 145.825.



This is the host spacecraft that has QIKCOM-1 module on board.



The SIMPL ground team reports detecting some S band signals apparently from
SIMPL.  So that is an indication that maybe the spacecraft powered up.
That being the case, then maybe it powered up QIKCOM-1 also.  But if the
host CPU did not send the antenna release signal, then QIKCOM-1 may be
powered up but with antennas all coiled up and still in their slot.



But high gain stations might hear something.  This is a far fetched
scenario, but if someone is looking for something to do, its worth a
listen.  The object number is

42983 or type SIMPL in spacetrack.



QIKCOM-1 beacons once a minute on 145.825 APRS 1200 baud and should respond
as a digipeater using the path of ARISS or APRSAT.  So rather than wait for
the 1 minute beacon, you are welcome to ping it as well.  But remember,
like all APRS digis, it will ignore dupes for a while.  I think the DUP
delay was set to ten seconds.



And even if you do not decode it, if your 10 kW EIRP signal can get a PING
response every 10 seconds or so, then  that would be something you might
hear.



QIKCOM-1 transmits with 4 Watts.  But into a shorted antenna, the signal
might be down 26 dB or more… something like 10 mw.  Not decodable, but
detectible by ear maybe.



Good luck fishing.



Bob, WB4aPR