(Continued from previous message)
apogee 961 Km perigee 83 degree inclination  104.87  minute  period  orbit.
They are a pair of seperate transponders  matched  to  a  major  scientific
satellite,  obtaining  their  power  supplies   from   that   source.   The
transponders are  basically  alike,  and  have  similar  modes  to    their
predecessors  RS-10  and  11,  to  which  please   refer   for   the   main
characteristics and full functioning information.
   Whilst RS-10  and  11  are  maintained  in  mode    'A'    (145/29  MHz)
transponder operation, RS-12 is currently activated in  'K'  mode,  21  MHz
uplink, 29  MHz downlink. RS-13 is presently kept on standby. From time  to
time  'T'  mode with the 21 MHz uplink  and  145  MHz  downlink,  often  in
tandem with 'K' ('KT' mode) will come on. Later operation may revert to 'A'
or 'KA' mode.
   Mode 'K' is a fascinating  mode  which  permitted   the    first  mutual
sub-horizon and  antipodal satellite  QSO  between  G3IOR  and  ZL1APM.  It
can    provide    fascinating  ionospheric   findings   and   propogational
information according  to  satellite signal path insolation.
   Low angle high gain beams are  neither  vital  for  the  strong  29  MHz
downlink nor for the 21 MHz uplink, although they may help  to  reduce  the
QRM from FM stations invading the satellite band. Simple antennas  such  as
ground planes, long  wires and dipoles with some 50 watts of 21 MHz SSB  or
CW can produce sub-horizon access permitting DX QSO's when neither  21  nor
29 MHz are open for communication. As most amateurs  have  HF  transceivers
available, this mode permits large numbers of the rarer DXCC countries that
to be active via satellite that are not equipped for VHF and UHF.
       Frequencies for RADIO SPUTNIK (RS-12)
     Beacon/ROBOT         29.408 MHz (CW)
     Beacon/ROBOT         29.454 MHz (CW)
     Mode A Uplink       145.910 - 145.950 MHz (SSB,CW)
     Mode A Downlink      29.411 -  29.451 MHz (SSB,CW)
     ROBOT A Uplink      145.831 MHz (CW)
     ROBOT A Downlink     29.408 or 29.454 MHz (CW)
     Beacon/ROBOT         29.408 MHz (C)
     Beacon/ROBOT         29.454 MHz (CW)
     Mod K Uplink        21.210 - 21.250 MHz (SSB,CW)
     Mde K Downlink      29.411 - 29.451 MHz (SSB,CW)
     OBOT K Uplink       21.130 MHz (CW)
     ROBOT K Downlink     29.408 or 29.454 MHz (CW)
     Beacon/ROBOT        145.913 MHz (CW)
     Beacon/ROBOT        145.959 MHz (CW)
     Mode T Uplink        21.210 -  21.250 MHz (SSB,CW)
     Mode T Downlink     145.917 - 145.956 MHz (SSB,CW)
     ROBOT T Uplink       21.130 MHz (CW)
     ROBOT T Downlink    145.913 or 145.959 MHz (CW)
Frequencies for RADIO SPUTNIK 13 (RS-13) [Nominal - yet to be measured]
     Beacon/ROBOT         29.458 MHz (CW)
     Beacon/ROBOT         29.504 MHz (CW)
     Mode A Uplink       145.960 - 146.000 MHz (SSB,CW)
     Mode A Downlink      29.460 -  29.500 MHz (SSB,CW)
     ROBOT A Uplink      145.840 MHz (CW)
     ROBOT A Downlink     29.458 or 29.504 MHz (CW)
     Beacon/ROBOT         29.458 MHz (CW)
     Beacon/ROBOT         29.504 MHz (CW)
     Mode K Uplink        21.260 - 21.300 MHz (SSB,CW)
     Mode K Downlink      29.460 - 29.500 MHz (SSB,CW)
     ROBOT K Uplink       21.138 MHz (CW)
     ROBOT K Downlink     29.458 or 29.504 MHz (CW)
     Beacon/ROBOT        145.862 MHz (CW)
     Beacon/ROBOT        145.908 MHz (CW)
     Mode T Uplink        21.260 -  21.300 MHz (SSB,CW)
     Mode T Downlink     145.960 - 146.000 MHz (SSB,CW)
     ROBOT T Uplink       21.138 MHz (CW)
     ROBOT T Downlink    145.862 or 145.908 MHz (CW)
Note: RS-13 has not been activated for enough  time  over  the  UK  to  yet
permit accurate frequency measurement within the confines  of  the  Doppler
shift. It would be appreciated, if heard, for a
                                      Pat Gowen, G3IOR  25 April 1992
18129.SAT
            CHARACTERISTICS of RS-10/11
   The pair of  transponders  RS-10  and  RS-11 are  mated  to  a    NAVSAT
satellite launched from the USSR in 1987, and are powered  from  the  major
spacecraft's supply. They are in a circular orbit of altitude 1000 Km  with
a 105 minute period. At this time the RS-10 satellite on mode 'A' is active
continuously, with RS-11 kept in reserve.  Various  transponder  modes  are
possible, 'A', 'K', 'T', and combined 'KT' or 'KA'. The telemetry beacon(s)
send the housekeeping information in Morse Code 20 wpm CW. The ROBOT may be
called at any speed between  6  and  50  wpm  and    will  respond  at  the
called speed. The formula is 'RS10 de G9XXX  AR'.  The  return  instructive
response may be 'QRZ', 'RPT', 'QRS', 'QRQ', etc., but  when  your  call  is
correctly entered, it will respond to you fully and give a QSO number.
    For 'A' mode only 10 watts of 2m CW or USB to a 5 element trained  Yagi
or 50 watts to a Ground Plane or Crossed  Dipole  (Turnstile)  are  needed,
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--- Intermail/RA/SX/GE
(1:369/8)
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