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From: abfhb@stdvax.DNET.NASA.GOV
Newsgroups: rec.radio.info
Followup-To: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: SAREX Mission Update 5/4/93
Message-ID: <$sts-55.025@ampr.org>
References: <9305042212.AA17872@east.gsfc.nasa.gov>
Date: 4 May 93 22:12:58 GMT
Lines: 28
Approved: rec-radio-info@ve6mgs.ampr.ab.ca

SB SAREX @ AMSAT $STS-55.025
SAREX Update 5/4 @ 19:00 UTC

The SAREX payload was heard in the Southern portion of the U.S. this 
morning with a booming packet radio signal.  With the SAREX window antenna
connector failed, the Shuttle Crew brought the packet TNC and the Motorola 
2-Meter Handheld into the German Spacelab module to use the externally 
mounted SAFEX antenna.  This antenna is basically a 1/4 wave whip mounted 
on the outside of the metal module with an airtight feedthrough. This 
antenna has performed admirably with a significant s/n boost when 
compared to the window antenna.  

A telebridge contact with the Trummansburg Middle School using WH6IC's 
(Steve Teegarden) station in Hawaii was successfully completed today.  The 
students experianced a full quieting SAREX contact from horizon-to-horizon. 
Shuttle Commander Steve Nagel, N5RAW, gave an outstanding signal report 
"one of the best during the mission" for this contact (which used the 
external antenna). 

It appears that the crew has stowed the packet radio equipment.  All future 
SAREX operations will be on voice using batteries and the SAFEX antenna.  
It is hoped that the crew will be active over the next few hours with 
general voice QSOs.  SAREX equipment stowage is expected at 20:50 UTC on 
May 5 with landing set for 13:03 UTC on May 6.

Submitted by Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO for the SAREX Working Group.

/EX