FO-29 returns to semi-operational status

After experiencing problems with its battery and charging system, FO-29 was turned off on May 4, 2007.

The control station at JARL worked on failure analysis and battery reconditioning. The team has been successful in partially recovering the satellite and this past week reported, "FO-29 is semi-operational!"

Masa, JN1GKZ in Tokyo provided additional details, "The FO-29 battery is almost dead and the automatic recovery function does not work. This means transmitter will stop after eclipse and a wake up command by the JARL Command Staion is needed to start the satellite.

FO-29 users are requested to please keep their downlink signal weaker than the beacon. JARL posts daily FO-29 operating schedules via the amsat-bb mailing list. Telemetry reception reports are welcomed. Please send reports to lab@jarl.or.jp.

Mika, OH8MBN reports from Finland, "Great signal levels, the bird works just fine!! Thanks to guys at JARL command station for bringing this great satellite back alive!"

Bruce, VE9QRP said, "I can report that from my location on the east coast of Canada, it was audible well past the point when SatPC32 believed the bird was in eclipse. I believe I could hear the beacon down to LOS. Thank you for all the hard work you put into making FO-29 work again."

Mineo, JE9PEL and Masa, JN1GKZ