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Do Not Work AO-91 in Elipse!
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Clint Bradford
AO-91 commanded into TRANSPONDER mode at 1602utc 22 Dec 2020. PLEASE do NOT use in eclipse. 73--Mark N8MH
-- Mark L. Hammond [N8MH] AMSAT Director and Command Station
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Clint Bradford
Hi Folks,
We've been asking users to NOT use AO-91 when it is in eclipse. I've gotten some questions about this, which is great. Here is a bit of info that is more operational than analytical! The best way to know if a satellite is in eclipse is to use software. I use SatPC32 and it shows when a satellite is in sunlight and when it's in the dark (eclipse). Remember, you can download a demo version limited only by having to enter your info/lat/long each time you start the program. Surely many other programs indicate eclipse/sunlight as well, but since I don't use them, I can't say for sure. Maybe there is a list somewhere, or maybe we can build a list here! (PREDICT does, Gpredict probably does, as I would guess Macdoppler as well?) There is also a program called ILLUM by DK3WN that is really superb for long term calculations. Others can chime in (please!) if you know of a program that shows sunlight/eclipse for a satellite. This is far from perfect, but a good "rule of thumb" for AO-91--if you're in the continental US/Hawaii, and if it's dark outside, the satellite is in eclipse so please don't use it during evening passes. When it's daytime/daylight at your QTH, then AO-91 is in sunlight and it's OK to use. This appears to hold true for AO-91 pretty much of the year due to its orbit. If you live at a very northern latitude, things get more interesting ;) If a satellite seems to linger along the terminator line (day/night line), you're really going to need software to tell you! Thanks for your help and cooperation. Hope that helps... 73, -- Mark L. Hammond [N8MH] AMSAT Director and Command Station ----------------------------------------------------------- Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! View archives of this mailing list at https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/list/amsat-bb@... To unsubscribe send an email to amsat-bb-leave(a)amsat.org Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences at https://mailman.amsat.org
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David Spoelstra
Clint is correct. The best policy is to only work AO-91 when it's light outside. Software that I can verify that show when satellites are in eclipse or not: PC: GPredict Android: ISS Detector -David, N9KT
On Tue, Dec 22, 2020 at 6:22 PM Clint Bradford via groups.io <clintbradford=mac.com@groups.io> wrote: Hi Folks,
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