VO-52 received on an AMSAT-UK FUNcube Dongle by Dave Johnson G4DPZ during the 17:27 pass on March 14, 2012

The Dutch SSB/CW linear transponder on the AMSAT-India amateur radio satellite HAMSAT VO-52 has been successfully activated.

Transponder # 1, which had been operating for over 6 years, fell silent on February 28 and efforts have been underway to activate transponder # 2.

Mani VU2WMY reports that the commands to ‘Turn On’ the transponder # 2 on-board HAMSAT VO-52 were successfully sent on March 14 during the 1400 UT 35 deg ascending Node pass over Bangalore, India.

The commands were successful and the CW message beacon of the Dutch transponder # 2, built by William Leijenaar PE1RAH, was heard in Bangalore loud and clear, some 6 years and 4 months since it was last switched on.

The Dutch SSB/CW transponder uses these frequencies:
Uplink:         435.2250 – 435.2750 MHz SSB/CW
Downlink:     145.9250 – 145.8750 MHz SSB/CW
Beacon:       145.8600 MHz CW

When working through linear transponder satellites such as VO-52 use as little power as possible, this will help extend the lifetime of the transponder and satellite batteries. As a guide ensure your downlink signal is no stronger than the satellite beacon. Low duty cycle modes such as SSB and CW are recommended.

How to work the SSB satellites such as VO-52 http://www.uk.amsat.org/2712

AMSAT-India Thanks You http://www.uk.amsat.org/5777

HAMSAT VO-52 Activation Planned For Wednesday http://www.uk.amsat.org/5685

HAMSAT VO-52 Falls Silent http://www.uk.amsat.org/5217

Leijenaar Electronics http://www.leijenaarelectronics.nl/

AMSAT-India http://www.amsatindia.org/