Amateur Radio Satellite FO-29 is semi-operational

Masa JN1GKZ provides an update on the status of FO-29 which had ceased operating earlier this year.

FO-29 battery is almost dead and automatic UVC recover function does not work. This means transmitter will stop after eclips and wake up command is needed to start transmit. In other words, FO-29 is operational after sending wake up command by the JARL FO-29 command station until eclips.

The command station was sending wake up command to
FO-29 one or two orbits every day in this week. The signal is very clear. Some orbits, the transponder was shut-off by the command station before LOS. And another orbits, the transponder remained operational.

The command station announced the following operation schedule. Part of EU, AF, NA and SA stations will have chances to work FO-29.
11 Aug from 0343z to eclips
from 0528z to eclips
12 Aug from 0432z to eclips

Please keep downlink signal weaker than the beacon.

The wake up command is sending by manual in this moment. I thank the command station for FO-29 control.

Masa JN1GKZ
Tokyo Japan

Related URL's
Amateur Radio Satellite FO-29 telemetry data wanted
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/april2007/fo29_help_wanted.htm

Amateur Radio Satellite FO-29 turns 10
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/august2006/fo29_turns_10.htm

AMSAT-NA FO-29 Status Page
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/satellites/satInfo.php?satID=5&retURL=/satellites/status.php

AMSAT-UK publish a quarterly newsletter OSCAR News.
For membership information contact the secretary Jim Heck G3WGM
Tel: +44 (0)1258 453959
Email: g3wgm@amsat.org
Join online at https://secure.amsat.org.uk/subscription/