New AO-51 schedule as satellite enters full sun

AO-51 Command Team, Mark Hammond, N8MH said this week that according to projections, the next 100% illumination period for AO-51 has begun.

Hopefully for the next week or two AO-51 can run both transmitters ON at reasonable power. The PL tone isn't needed (and hasn't been for the last few weeks).

FM Digital PBBS, U
Uplink: N/A
Downlink: 435.150 Mhz FM

FM Repeater, V/U
Uplink: 145.920 Mhz FM
Downlink: 435.300 Mhz FM

Even though AO-51 "sees sunlight" all the time, it doesn't "see" the sun equally throughout an orbit. So, the Operations Team is going to keep the power management software running in hopes they can optimize the transmitter power output and keep the battery temperatures down.

The way it is currently configured, AO-51 can run in one of three states, depending on available battery power:
1) HIGH 435.300 at 550 mW and 435.150 at 420 mW
2) MEDIUM 435.300 at 420 mW and 435.150 at 300 mW
3) LOW which currently sets both transmitters effectively to OFF

It is very likely that users will see the transmitter power going up and down some as the battery voltage goes up and down. AO-51 Operator hope the power changes do not occur too often, and adjustments will be made after collecting some telemetry over the next few days. The goal has always been to keep it ON and useable as much as possible, and
the Command Team will do their best to continue that tradition.

Activity reports over the next few weeks to http://oscar.dcarr.org/ (or to n8mh AT amsat.org if AO-51 appears to be OFF) will be very much appreciated.

And finally--telemetry files (KISS format preferred) from around the world will be greatly appreciated for the next few weeks!

Mark Hammond, N8MH

Amsat