VO-52 seems to be down, it hasn’t been heard in the last couple of days. I hope that the ground station in India will give some information about the status of this great Satellite soon.
Tag Archives: VO-52
VO-52 Dutch Transponder Active
The commands to ‘Turn On’ the transponder # 2 (Dutch transponder, made by Williams PE1RAH) on-board HAMSAT VO-52 was successfully sent during 14:00 UT 35 deg ascending Node pass over Bangalore, India.
The sent commands were successfully received, acknowledged and confirmed by the telemetry. Subsequently, the transponder # 2 is now ‘ON’ and Williams CW message beacon was heard again after a gap of approximately 6 years & 4 months.
The beacon signal was heard loud and strong here at Bangalore.
A detailed Initial reports addressed to: tprangan@istrac.org and a copy to wmy@isac.gov.in would be greatly appreciated.
[PE0SAT Thanks VU2WMY and PE1RAH for the above information]
After this message on Amsat-BB my first possibility to listen for VO-52 was on 14-03-2012 15:55 UTC. During this pass I made the following recording of the CW beacon on 145.860. Listen to my recording via the following link [download id=”14″]. The elvation was 2 degrees and The signals where 5 – 5 up to 5 – 7. When listening to the recording there is some distortion that is likely caused by transponder use with too much power.
HI HI HI THIS IS VUSAT WITH THE DUTCH MODE UV TRANSPONDER MADE BY WILLIAM LEIJENAAR 73 DE PE1RAH HI HI HI THIS IS VUSAT WITH THE DUTCH MODE UV TRANSPONDER MADE BY WILLIAM LEIJENAAR 73 DE PE1RAH HI HI HI THIS IS VUSAT WITH THE DUTCH MODE UV TRANSPONDER MADE BY WILLIAM LEIJENAAR 73 DE PE1RAH
It is good to hear that the Dutch transponder is operationel again after so many years, a job wel done by William Leijneaar (PE1RAH), who has built this transponder.
VO-52 Dutch Transponder Switching ON
Update: 13-03-2012 16:04 CEST
Due to ‘Operational Constraints’ the commands to turn on the transponder were not been able to send. In-convenience caused is regretted. The next attempt would be made during 01:44 UT pass over India. On behalf of ‘Operations Director-VO-52 Mani, VU2WMY
Subsequent to the clearance by the ‘Expert committee’ the Transponder # 2 (The Dutch Transponder made by William Leijenaar PE1RAH) on board HAMSAT VO-52 would be switched ‘ON’ at 13:42 UT on 13.03.2012 during orbit # 37080 over India.
A ‘Critical Comparative Signal Report’ between the Indian and Dutch transponder would be of great help for further evaluations and necessary actions for the maintenance the transponder in good and healthy condition for better services and also, the inputs would be very valuable to the respective transponder designers.
We all hope, Williams PE1RAH would be very happy with our decision and behalf of every one here in India involved with project, wish Williams and his transponder, once again all the very best and good luck.
Uplink frequency : 435.25 MHz
Downlink frequency : 145.9 MHz
Beacon : CW at 145.859330 MHz (145.86 MHz)
Output level of Beacon : 18 dBm
Thanks to AMSAT-India (Nitin VU3TYG) for the all the help and co-ordination provided.
My first pass will be at 19:45 CEST I will give it a try and see how it is working
Update 13-03-2012 14:30 CEST:
In an email exchange between me and William (PE1RAH) it became clear to me that this is the first time in seven year that the Dutch transponder will beactivated. Compared to the Indian transponder, when the dutch transponder is active a CW signal can be heard on the beacon frequency.
[PE0SAT Thanks Mani, VU2WMY and PE1RAH for the above information]
VO-52 Activation ON Hold
Unfortunately, we are sorry to inform that the ‘Expert Committee’ overseeing the VO-52 (HAMSAT) performance has advised to extend the ‘Observation Period’ by an other week.
Hence, the decision to switch on the transponder # 2 is now put ‘ON HOLD’ till further notice. In-convenience caused to the users is regretted.
This latest decision is just only a postponement and nothing to worry about the health of the spacecraft. We re-assure you all that VO-52 is very strong and in a ‘Perfect Health’ condition.
[PE0SAT Thanks VU2WMY for the above information]
VO-52 Switched On 08-03-2012 13:51 UTC
After the ‘In-Orbit Maintenance Operations’ the decision to turn ‘ON’ the payload transponder was taken and accordingly; The Transponder No 2 i.e. The Dutch Transponder made by William Leijenaar PE1RAH would be switched ‘ON’ at 13:51 UT on 08.03.2012 during orbit # 37006 over India.
A ‘Critical Comparative Signal Report’ between the Indian and Dutch transponder would be of great help for further evaluations and necessary actions for the maintenance the transponder in good and healthy condition for better services and also, the inputs would be very valuable to the respective transponder designers.
We all hope, Williams PE1RAH would be very happy with our decision and behalf of every one here in India involved with project, wish Williams and his transponder all the very best and good luck.
During the pass of 19:45:00 it should be possible to work VO-52 above Europe. Lets give it a try and send a report to ISRO and use the website http://oscar.dcarr.org/
[PE0SAT Thanks VU3TYG, VU2WMY and ISRO for the above information]
VO-52 in Excellent Health
Hello All,
All that I can share at this moment is ‘HAMSAT VO-52’ is in ‘Excellent Health’ after recovery operations. Right now, it is under observation. However, decision about switching ‘ON’ the transponder is pending clearance. Decision expected in other couple of days. The user community will be informed well in advance about the transponder switching.
Mani, VU2WMY
Secretary & Station-In-Charge
Upagrah Amateur Radio Club VU2URC
ISRO Satellite Centre
[PE0SAT Thanks amsat-bb and VU2WMY for the above information]