April 2005 AO-51 (Amsat Echo) Schedule
Updated 23 Mar 2005

All dates are UTC. The mode change occurs normally between 0100 and 0400 utc on the date shown. The mode will be active from the date shown until the next Mode Change date listed. Mode Configurations are listed below the schedule. If for some unplanned reason we need to work with Echo and deviate from the plan I will post a note to the this Echo page on AMSAT.ORG.

If a specific transmitter or mode is not listed on a given day then it will be off. For example, if TXB (435.300) is not listed during a 38k4 digital mode period then the FM repeater will be off.

23 Mar - Exp Wed - QRP Mode
QRP Experimenters Wednesday, note uplink frequency, NO PL Tone
Please follow the QRP requirements listed below
FM Repeater, V/U
Uplink: 145.880 mhz FM, NO PL Tone required
Downlink 435.300 mhz FM

24 Mar
FM Repeater, V/S
Uplink: 145.920 mhz FM, 67 hz PL Tone
Downlink 2401.200 mhz FM

30 Mar - Exp Wed
FM Repeater, L/S
Uplink: 1268.700 mhz FM, No PL Tone
Downlink 2401.200 mhz FM

31 Mar
FM Repeater, V/U
Uplink: 145.920 mhz FM, 67 hz PL Tone
Downlink 435.300 mhz FM
9k6 Digital, V/U, PBP BBS (Pacsat Broadcast Protocol BBS)
Uplink: 145.860 mhz FM, 9k6 PBP Digital
Downlink: 435.150 mhz FM, 9k6 PBP Digital

1 Apr
FM Repeater, V/U
Uplink: 145.920 mhz FM, 67 hz PL Tone
Downlink 435.300 mhz FM
9k6 Digital, V/U, PBP BBS (Pacsat Broadcast Protocol BBS)
Uplink: 145.860 mhz FM, 9k6 PBP Digital
Downlink: 435.150 mhz FM, 9k6 PBP Digital

6 Apr
There will be no Experimenters Wednesday Session
No Mode Change

13 Apr
Exp Wed - Mode L/U as requested via ao51-modes, postponed from March
FM Repeater, L/U
Uplink: 1268.700 mhz FM, 67 hz PL Tone will be used
Downlink 435.300 mhz FM

14 Apr
FM Repeater, V/U
Uplink: 145.920 mhz FM, 67 hz PL Tone
Downlink 435.300 mhz FM
9k6 Digital, V/U, PBP BBS (Pacsat Broadcast Protocol BBS)
Uplink: 145.860 mhz FM, 9k6 PBP Digital
Downlink: 435.150 mhz FM, 9k6 PBP Digital

18 Apr
Extended 38k4 Digital Testing Session as requested
38k4 Digital Downlink, V/U, PBP BBS (Pacsat Broadcast Protocol BBS)
Uplink: 145.860 mhz FM, 9k6 PBP Digital
Downlink: 435.150 mhz FM, 38k4 PBP Digital, Power 1.3 watts

21 Apr
FM Repeater, V/U
Uplink: 145.920 mhz FM, 67 hz PL Tone
Downlink 435.300 mhz FM
9k6 Digital, V/U, PBP BBS (Pacsat Broadcast Protocol BBS)
Uplink: 145.860 mhz FM, 9k6 PBP Digital
Downlink: 435.150 mhz FM, 9k6 PBP Digital

27 Apr
Exp Wed - Dual FM repeaters, 2nd repeater is in QRP mode
FM Repeater, V/U
Uplink: 145.920 mhz FM, 67 hz PL Tone
Downlink 435.300 mhz FM
The first FM repeater is open for all stations
FM Repeater, V/U
Uplink: 145.880 mhz FM, NO PL Tone required, QRP requirements
Downlink 435.150 mhz FM
Please follow the QRP requirements listed below for this repeater,
and note the downlink frequency

28 Apr
FM Repeater, V/U
Uplink: 145.920 mhz FM, 67 hz PL Tone
Downlink 435.300 mhz FM
9k6 Digital, V/U, PBP BBS (Pacsat Broadcast Protocol BBS)
Uplink: 145.860 mhz FM, 9k6 PBP Digital
Downlink: 435.150 mhz FM, 9k6 PBP Digital



AO-51 ECHO LOW POWER STATION (QRP) REQUIREMENTS:

To attempt to keep this simple a low power station will be defined as a station which can deliver no more than 10 watts to a vertical or handheld antenna.

Some examples of Low Power Stations:
1) Using an HT (barefoot, no amplifier) with 10 watts or less output into any type of vertical whip antenna (rubber duck, etc) or handheld beam antenna (arrow type).
2) Using a mobile station with 10 watts or less output into car mounted mobile whip antenna(s).
3) Using a base station at 10 watts output into a vertical omnidirectional antenna on the side of the house.

Examples that are NOT Low Power Stations:
1) Any type of high gain beam antenna, KLM, M2, Cushcraft, etc.
2) Any station transmitting over 10 watts into any type of antenna.

How well we operate the satellite within these guidelines will determine how much we can run this mode in the future. So lets try and do this right!


AO-51 ECHO MODES (list not complete)

FM Repeater, V/U
Uplink: 145.920 mhz FM, 67 hz PL Tone
Downlink 435.300 mhz FM, Output 1/2 watt

FM Repeater, V/U, High Power Mode
Uplink: 145.920 mhz FM, 67 hz PL Tone
Downlink 435.300 mhz FM, Output 2 watts

FM Repeater, L/U
Uplink: 1268.700 mhz FM, 67 hz PL Tone
Downlink 435.300 mhz FM, Output ?? watt

FM Repeater, V/S
Uplink: 145.920 mhz FM, No PL Tone
Downlink 2401.200 mhz FM

FM Repeater, L/S
Uplink: 1268.700 mhz FM, No PL Tone
Downlink 2401.200 mhz FM

PSK31, 10 meters/U
Uplink: 28.140 mhz USB, PSK31 Mode Only
Downlink 435.300 mhz FM

9k6 Digital, V/U, PBP BBS (Pacsat Broadcast Protocol BBS)
Uplink: 145.860 mhz FM, 9k6 PBP Digital
Downlink: 435.150 mhz FM, 9k6 PBP Digital, 1/2 watt

9k6 Digital, V/U, High Power, PBP BBS (Pacsat Broadcast Protocol BBS)
Uplink: 145.860 mhz FM, 9k6 PBP Digital
Downlink: 435.150 mhz FM, 9k6 PBP Digital, 1 watt

9k6 Digital, L/U, PBP BBS (Pacsat Broadcast Protocol BBS)
Uplink: 1268.700 mhz FM, 9k6 PBP Digital
Downlink: 435.150 mhz FM, 9k6 PBP Digital, ?? watt

38k4 Digital Downlink, V/U, PBP BBS (Pacsat Broadcast Protocol BBS)
Uplink: 145.860 mhz FM, 9k6 PBP Digital
Downlink: 435.150 mhz FM, 38k4 PBP Digital, 1 watt

38k4 Digital Downlink, V/S, PBP BBS (Pacsat Broadcast Protocol BBS)
Uplink: 145.860 mhz FM, 9k6 PBP Digital
Downlink: 2401.200 mhz FM, 38k4 PBP Digital, 1 watt

38k4 Digital Downlink, L/S, PBP BBS (Pacsat Broadcast Protocol BBS)
Uplink: 1268.700 mhz FM, 9k6 PBP Digital
Downlink: 2401.200 mhz FM, 38k4 PBP Digital, 1 watt


AO-51 Echo Mode Suggestion Email Address

Amsat-NA has established an email address for AO-51 users to submit requests and ideas for Experimenters Wednesday operations. This is your chance, the user, to request from the Amsat Operations Team the modes you are interested in seeing operated on the satellite during the weekly Wednesday times. All input will be noted by the individuals monitoring the address. Do not expect a reply to your email though, as we will not have the time to respond to each individual email.

The email address to send your requests or ideas to is: [email protected]

Other Items

When the BBS is OFF: Please do not access the BBS system on Echo when the schedule calls for it to be off. The only time TXA will be turned on during a scheduled off period will be when the satellite is over a command station, and the command station needs to work with the satellite. Accessing the BBS at this time will only slow down and/or delay the command stations efforts.

Also, check the Broadcast Message in the digital downlink. If it indicates the BBS is OFF (CLOSED) then do not transmit on the digital uplink frequency. Thank you.

Your Favorite Mode: If you have a favorite mode on Echo. And would like to see it used more often. The best thing you can do it use it when it is turned on. And promote it to get more users involved.

73 KE4AZN
Echo Command Team

 

Updated: 23 Mar, 05