In an effort to test a new autobaud selection feature in a new version of the Fox satellite telemetry software FoxTelem, the AO-85 Operations Team will conduct some experimental sessions with AO-85 on December 29-30. AMSAT encourages telemetry collectors in and around the US to participate by installing FoxTelem ver 1.03 as a “clean” install in a folder separate from the current ver 1.02. In an AMSAT-BB post, Mark Hammond, N8MH, said participants should use the new “Auto” button option, next to the Low and High speed buttons.

“Specifically, we’ll be switching from the current voice transponder operation with low-speed telemetry to high-speed telemetry,” Hammond explained, noting that in high-speed mode, voice operations are off. “The switches will take place about every minute or two during the pass,” he said. “Please avoid making contacts during these testing periods.”

The passes on December 29 are 1119 to 11:32 UTC, and 1300 to 1312 UTC; on December 30, 1145 to 1159 UTC.

“During 2016, two or three more Fox satellites are planned for launch into orbit, and these birds will need to operate in high-speed data mode from time to time to download space photos, experimental data, etc,” Hammond said. “Taking advantage of some in orbit testing with Fox-1A/AO-85 will be very helpful to the further development of the FoxTelem ground station software.” He recommended that participants report their results via the AMSAT-BB.