• AO-73 Now in Full-Time Transponder Mode

    From ARRL de WD1CKS@VERT/WLARB to QST on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 21:13:35
    06/10/2020

    AMSAT reports that, after some 8 months in continuous sunlight, AO-73 (FUNcube-1) began to encounter some eclipses during each orbit. Telemetry showed that AO-73 continued to function, although maintaining a sufficient battery charge was a concern. After 3 weeks of increasing eclipse periods, however, AMSAT reported that the lithium-ion battery appears to be okay, and the bus voltage has not yet dropped below 8.1 V. The operating mode has been shifted from high-power telemetry educational mode to continuous amateur mode with the transponder on. Telemetry continues to be available, but at low
    power.ÿ - Thanks to AMSAT News Service

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