Ham Radio AO-51 Satellite, again

AO-51 Update
November 29, 2011

It is with a heavy heart I report that AO-51 has ceased transmission and is not responding to commands. The last telemetry data indicated that the third of six batteries was approaching failure to short, and observations indicate the voltage from three cells is insufficient to power the UHF transmitters. The IHU may continue to be operative. Initial tests with the S band transmitter were also not positive, although more attempts are in order. We have tried leaving the satellite in an expected state where if voltages climb high enough, the 435.150 transmitter may possibly be heard.

The command team will regularly attempt communications with the satellite over the coming months (and years). There is always the possibility that a cell will open and we could once again talk to our friend while illuminated. Thanks to all who helped fund, design, build, launch, command, and operate AO-51. It's 7 year mission has been extraordinary. Please support AMSAT's Fox-1 project, and other AMSAT projects worldwide with your time and money.

For the AO-51 Command Team,

73, Drew KO4MA
AMSAT-NA VP Operations


I try my luck at working AO-51.


Bracket video -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwNIim...

N1ASA tells us how to correctly do this!
http://hvsatcom.org/Satcom/sats.pdf

I use Orbitron - Satellite Tracking software. It is free, you can download it from:
http://www.stoff.pl

A very good web based site for satellite prediction is:
http://www.heavens-above.com/

Grid squares are used for location. My grid is CM99. You can learn more about this at;
http://www.arrl.org/locate/gridinfo.html

Arrow Antennas-
http://www.arrowantennas.com/

Randy

• Category

  Howto & Style

[Mark Hopewell]

Many thanks, Randy, another excellent tutorial. It is much more difficult to work the satellites than I had anticipated after watching your video. I have planned to use remote control azimuth and declination motors but given the amount of manual rotation you are using, this has made me think twice. Anyway, thanks for showing this.

[K7AGE]

I think if you had computer control of the rotors, there will not be any hunting around looking for the satellite. The computer will know where the satellite is and point the antennas. I used to have that all running with my 48 elements on 2M and 38 elements on 435.

[Dimitar Margaritov]

Have you tried contact with the ISS?

[K7AGE]

Yes I have. It has been many years. I haven't tried in a long time to try and catch them.

[Joem Inguito]

oh, to clear up my mind, can you transmit a signal through them using a handheld transceiver? am i right?

[K7AGE]

Yes, the satellite is a cross band repeater.

[BabyyaTawnyae47]

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[K7AGE]

I have one of them too

[piet mondrianstudent]

great vid ..thanks for posting

[Marko Uimonen]

Nice .. 73 de Marko SM3UXV frpm sweden ..

[KR0SIV]

I found GPredict to be a bit easier to use

[kb9ylu]

ao 51 is gone and so is ao 27 so before i get into this what is left that i can do with a ht?

[MrAlanNZ]

Hi,

Thank you very much for your video, It has inspired me to give the satellites a go again.

20 years ago I worked RS10/11 many times and had a heap of fun. Up on 2M down on 10M. Running 10watts SSB on 2m and using a 2 element X Yargi, and a Delta loop on 10m for the down link, all home brewed. I remember also working a mobile station as well.

Thanks heaps. You are an inspiration to hams world wide.

73 de Alan

ZL4FM

[MrStemkilla]

that was acterally pretty cool