
SB NEWS @ AMSAT $SPC0925
* SpaceNews 25-Sep-95 *


BID: $SPC0925


			       =========
			       SpaceNews
			       =========


			MONDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 1995


SpaceNews originates at KD2BD in Wall Township, New Jersey, USA.  It is
published every week and is made available for unlimited free distribution.


* DD6CF SK *
============
The German astronaut Prof. Dr. Reinhard Furrer, call sign DD6CF, died in an 
airplane crash in Berlin on 09-Sep-95.  A fellow pilot and he were aboard a 
Messerschmidt ME 106 (build in 1944) when (after doing some loopings) the 
plane hit the ground.  One report indicated that one wing broke prior to the
crash.  Mr. Furrer was not the pilot during the fatal flight.

Dr. Furrer was member of the German D1 (space lab) mission at the space
shuttle Challenger 10 years ago, and was active from the Space Shuttle
using the callsign DP0SL.

[Info via Oliver Welp, DL9QJ, N3NSF]


* EUROMIR AND SAFEX FREQUENCY CLARIFICATION *
=============================================
Unfortunately there has been some out-of-date information about the
EUROMIR/SAFEX 2-meter frequencies from the USA.  The 2-meter frequencies
published some weeks ago in our were cancelled due to many complaints from
stations in Europe.  The complaints were based on the fear that using
145.850 MHz would cause interference to the uplink of important satellites
like KITSAT-OSCAR-23 and others.  Additionally, AMSAT groups in Europe do
not want to have manned spacecraft traffic within the 2-meter satellite
subband.  They agree to use the band edge, however.

There are heavy complaints about the other frequencies too.  HAMs in Europe
are VERY sensitive to these things, since there had been some SAREX activity
in FM and packet modes just in the 144.400-144.500 MHz segment, which is
reserved for CW/SSB use ONLY in IARU Region 1, and which is intensively
being used for meteorscatter activities in Europe.  Many hams are now aware
of possible bandplan violations and do complain immediately, when MIR or
SHUTTLE activities are on frequencies that do not fit the bandplan.

As a result, the DARC Satellite Coordinating Group decided to use 145.200,
145.550, and 145.800 MHz, which have been chosen at the IARU Forum of this
year's AMSAT-UK Colloquium.

Please note, that the 2 meter band in Europe is 144.000-146.000 MHz ONLY,
and that Europeans have a very dense population and lots of VHF activity,
so it is nearly impossible to find a "clear" frequency in the 2 meter band.

No further freqency changes will be made as a result of problems in one part
of the world, as long as a new chosen frequency will not cause bad
interference in the other parts of the world or even to the OSCAR satellites.
The situation in Europe is particularly complicated and sensitive.

[Info via Norbert, DF5DP (DARC Coordinator Satellites And Space Projects)]


* MANNED SPACECRAFT OPERATING FREQUENCIES *
===========================================
For the past two years, this subject has been discussed at the AMSAT UK
Satellite Colloquium, held during the last week of July at the University
of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom.  In 1994, the recommendation was made
that 145.800 MHz be used as a downlink frequency for manned spacecraft
operation with 145.200 MHz the corresponding uplink.  This recommendation
was confirmed at the IARU International Satellite Forum and approved by
representatives of 13 AMSAT organizations.
 
Satellite and manned spacecraft operations have to compete with terrestrial
services and operate within an accepted bandplan.  The IARU Region 1
bandplan for 144 - 146 MHz shows that the 145.800 - 146.000 MHz is allocated
to satellites, while the balance of the band is subdivided for other specific
terrestrial applications.
 
In 1995, the last repeater was relocated from 145.800 MHz and a call was
made for the use of this frequency by manned spacecraft operation.  The
German EUROMIR 95 group with the guidance of the DARC Person in Charge of
satellites and manned spacecraft amateur radio projects, Norbert Notthof,
DF5DP, acted correctly and are complimented for taking swift action to fall
in line with the IARU International Satellite Forum decision.
 
The problems experienced by some US Amateurs again highlights the need for
international frequency coordination.  This coordination process is becoming
more complex as bandplanning in the three IARU regions is not the same.  As
pointed out by Norbert in his recent Email, the Region 1 two meter band is
very congested and does not give planners the same latitude as in Region 2
where it is 4 MHz wide.
 
Next week, the IARU Administrative Council will consider the draft terms
of reference for the IARU AMSAT Frequency Coordinator accepted by the
International Amsat Groups. Once these terms of reference have been
accepted, the appointment process will start.
 
In the interim, the IARU Satellite Advisor welcomes comments and suggestions
about frequency selection for manned spacecraft operation and how best the
problem can be addressed.
 
[Info via Hans van de Groenendaal, ZS5AKV, IARU Satellite Advisor]


* DP0MIR HAM ACTIVITY HAS BEGUN *
=================================
As the passes over Europe fall during the working hours of the MIR crew,
there will not be much HAM actvity of DP0MIR in this region for now.  This
will change in several weeks.

DP0MIR has been heard and worked over the USA together with his Russian
collegues of R0MIR on 145.550 MHz simplex.  Thomas, DL2MDE, and Joerg,
DL3LUM, of the German Mission Control's (DLR) Ham Radio Group ask all who
had a QSO to send the details (call, report, date, time, remarks) to their
club station DF0VR via packet or E-mail to make sure the data is in the log
correctly for QSLing.

The addresses are:

Packet   : DF0VR @ DB0AAB.#BAY.DEU.EU
Internet : hams.df0vr@dlr.de

On 21-Sep-95 there was a first school contact with DP0MIR.  Students of the
"Dr.-Engel-Relaschule" in Esslingen, Germany, had a 6 minute voice QSO
with Thomas Reiter, DF4TR, DP0MIR.  The contact on 2 meters was very good,
Thomas answered a lot of questions and filled the class with enthusiasm.

[Info via Norbert, DF5DP]


* ITAMSAT NEWS *
================
Antonio, IW8QII, reports copying packet signals from the ITAMSAT-OSCAR-26
satellite over Italy.  This may signal that the satellite is being reloaded
with new software and may be available for general use in the not too distant
future.


* FEEDBACK/INPUT WELCOMED *
===========================
Comments and input for SpaceNews should be directed to the editor (John,
KD2BD) via any of the paths listed below:
 
FAX       : 1-908-747-7107
FTP       : pilot.njin.net  cd to /pub/SpaceNews
WWW       : http://www.njin.net:80/~magliaco/
PACKET    : KD2BD @ KS4HR.NJ.USA.NA
INTERNET  : kd2bd@amsat.org -or- magliaco@pilot.njin.net
SATELLITE : AMSAT-OSCAR-16, LUSAT-OSCAR-19
 
MAIL      : John A. Magliacane, KD2BD
	    Department of Engineering and Technology
	    Advanced Technology Center
	    Brookdale Community College
	    Lincroft, New Jersey  07738
	    U.S.A.
 
 
       <<=- SpaceNews: The first amateur newsletter read in space! -=>> 
 
/EX

