PCSAT2 PSK-31 TRANSPONDER OPERATIONS PLAN 7 AUG 2005 ----------------------------------------------------------------- FREQUENCY: Downlink on 435.275+/-9 KHz Doppler FM Uplink 29.401 to 29.403 MHz PSK-31 The power budget of PCSAT2 cannot support continuous operations of an FM downlink. Thus the transponder has to be commanded on and off on a foot-print-by-footprint basis to conserve power. ARISS COMPATIBILITY: Although PSK-31 operations will not interfere with ARISS operations, the on/off activation commands on a pass-by-pass basis do have the potential to interfere with ARISS voice operations on 2 meters. Thus activation will be under the control of specificly authorized PC2PSK control stations with these resposibilities: 1) Be knowledgible and current on ARISS school contact schedules 2) Monitor 145.800 throughout pass 3) Do no commanding of PSK31 mode if voice ops are in progress. PSK-31 OPERATIONS VIA PCSAT2: Users will all operate full duplex transmitting throughtout the pass on the HF uplink and monitoring all signals on the downlink. Move your signal so it is not on top of someone else and operate. There are two Doppler shifts you must account for: 1) Tuning your FM downlink from a starting 435.285 down to 435.265 in 5 KHz increments to keep the FM in your receiver 2) Setting your uplink so that the total +600 to -600 Hz uplink Doppler shift will not carry you out of the passband. Notice that although the total doppler from AOS to LOS is about the same, that the rate of change is variable depending on how high your pass is to directly overhead. A low horizon pass will have a medium but almost constant rate of change. A direct over- head pass will have +600 Hz but very low rate for most of the first half the pass and then a very rapid change to a nearly constant -600 Hz or so for most of the end of the pass. Many existing PSK-31 decoding programs may not be able to keep up with these doppler rates, but should be able to use their AFC for the beginning and ends of a directly overhead pass. We have much to learn and develop here. Notice that Doppler always moves downward. Dedicated, Trusted PSK-PASS control stations are needed. If you think you will be a frequent user of this mode and can fulfill the responsibilities of a PSK-PASS control op, then contact XXXXX who will manage these operators. We also need a volunteer XXXXX to coordinate these control ops. de WB4APR Bob Bruninga USNA Satellite Lab