AO-51 features SSB uplink to FM downlink experiment

On July 24, AO-51 controllers enabled the satellite's SQRX
receiver to allow for operation utilizing a 145.880 MHz SSB
uplink with an FM downlink on 435.300 MHz. This experiment also caused changes in the way that telemetry is handled.

Gould, WA4SXM, AO-51 Command Station described the configuration, "I turned off Transmitter A last night when I
switched modes as the schedule did not include the telemetry downlink. If I use the SQRX receiver, then I need to decrease the transmitter power for the batteries to make it through eclipse." In the meantime AO-51 was collecting telemetry, but not transmitting telemetry.

Alan, WA4SCA was active on the new mode and wrote, "It is
very obvious who has computer control of the radio. Intelligibility is as with any of the passband birds, except on
AO-51 you fall completely out of the passband quickly. In
this mode the RX is relatively sensitive, but I did need a
beam to get a good uplink, though my output was only 1-2
watts."

In the period between July 27-July 31, controllers returned
AO-51 into its V/U FM Repeater mode with the uplink on 145.920 MHz and downlink on 435.300 MHz. 9k6 telemetry transmission was re-enabled on 435.150 MHz.

Gould, WA4SXM and Alan, WA4SCA