AO-7 control electronics still functioning after 30+ years in space

With the AO-7 satellite experiencing sunlit conditions for the next several weeks radio amateurs have had an opportunity to determine additional functionality of this 30+ year old satellite.

With its batteries long dead, AO-7 is only operational when its solar cells are adequately illuminated by sunlight.

John, LA2QAA noted, "After checking the log on 'The AO-7 Resource Page', I estimated the switchover between modes on AO-7 to be at approximately 08:30 UTC daily. However, on the 17th of January, I noticed the changeover happened at precisely 08:57 in the middle of a Mode-B QSO with UA9CP. I immediately switched to mode-A and carried on the QSO therby confirming the time of the mode change on that particular day. This shows that the 24 hour timer is functioning as it was designed to do 31 years ago!"

One of the AO-7 pioneers, Jan W3GEY brings us up to speed on AO-7's internal timer, "If telemetry channel 2C seems to increment about every 15 minutes then the clock is still working."

Mike, N1JEZ, AO-7 Control Operator, suggests, "So what we really want to do is monitor the telemetry and see if Channel 2C is really incrementing and that the switch occurs near 95 in the cycle. One other thing I'd like to try is to command the satellite to reset the timer. This should be fun!"

Stay tuned as more is learned of the oldest operational amateur satellite in orbit.

For more information refer to The AO-7 Resource Page at: http://www.planetemily.com/ao7/