Mike Kingery, KE4AZN provided the following information on the initial commissioning for ECHO following launch. Currently, the launch is planned for 29 June 2004 at approximately 0630 UTC.
The transmitter will not turn on until commanded from the ground. The plan is that ECHO will be allowed to stabilize and outgas for approximately 10 hours. The first communication attempt will take place during the evening of 29 June, during the first pass over the Eastern US if launched as scheduled. TX0, on 435.155 MHz, will be commanded on and will be running 9k6 baud Pacsat Protocol. After some initial health and status checks, the transmitter will be commanded off before the end of
the pass.
The latest prelaunch element set for ECHO is:
ECHO
1 99999U 99999B 04015.44385708 .00000000 00000-0 00000-0 0 00013
2 99999 098.2700 042.0000 0072000 180.0000 226.0000 14.40910000000006
AMSAT News Service will be providing regular updates on the commissioning of ECHO to include Special Bulletins when warranted.
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AMSAT News Service Bulletin 179.03 From AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD. June 27, 2004
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-179.03
AMSAT now has available the new book, Echo – Operation, Development and Specifications written by G. Gould Smith, WA4SXM. The donation price is $15 for US, $17 for Canada and $19 elsewhere. Please remember that payment must be in US dollars. Ordering can be done by:
+ Email (martha@amsat.org) with Visa or MasterCard. Please include name, address, card number and expiration date
+ Telephone (1-888-322-6728 or 301-589-6062) with Visa or MasterCard
+ Fax (301-608-3410) Include the same information as email
+ Postal Mail – AMSAT, 850 Sligo Ave, #600, Silver Spring MD 20910. You can pay by charge card, check or money order. Include your name and mailing address.
Klla: ANS 179