AO-7 Logbook Site Index

Latest Status

AO-7 is Operational
As of 15 March 2006 AO-7 enters eclipse on the ascending node of it's orbit for a short period of time and will turn off during that period, but otherwise it remains operational providing stations observe QRP power levels. It is difficult to tell if the 24 hour timer will be reset or if there is enough energy to keep it running during the short periods of eclipse AO-7 experiences for the next few weeks. We should know in a few days by observing the modes reported on each orbit.

Please keep your power low! For additional information please read the AO-7 Usage Guidelines

About AO-7

AO-7 was the seventh OSCAR (Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio) satellite to be launched since the inception of the OSCAR program. AMSAT-OSCAR 7 built by a multinational team under the direction of AMSAT-NA and was launched November 15, 1974 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Lompoc, California. AO-7 carries two working linear transponders, one in Mode A (145.850-950 MHz uplink; 29.400-500 MHz downlink) and another in Mode B (432.180-120 MHz uplink; 145.920-980 MHz downlink). It also containst two working beacons on 29.502 and 145.972 MHz. A third beacon on 435.1 MHz has been reportedly heard sporatically, and a fourth beacon on 2304.1MHz was never turned on.

In mid 1981 AO-7 ceased operation due to battery failures. It was thought at that time that the batteries had shorted. However on June 21, 2002 Pat Gowen, G3IOR reported hearing AO-7s 2m beacon. After the news was relayed through AMSAT bulletin boards, several more hams monitored the satellite.

AO-7 continues to operate continuously, albeit a bit whimsical. After emerging from an eclipse AO-7 may turn on in one of four modes. Mode A and Mode B are shown above, and Mode C is a low power version of Mode B. Mode D is a beacon only mode. It is impossible to distinguish between Modes B and C, although in the short time I have been using AO-7 I think I have heard it twice because there was a noticeable decrease in signal strength from normally strong signals.

More technical information about AO-7 can be found in the useage page shown above, and at the AMSAT Satellite Summary page for AO-7 at http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/satellites/sat_summary/ao7.php.

About this AO-7 Website

This website was created to allow the users of OSCAR satellite AO-7 to record contacts, observations and use of the satellite more effectively. I hope it will also increase interest in working AO-7, which at times can be a very lonely thing. In time it is hoped that recording this kind of data will also help advance understanding of other satellites that are operating beyond their expected life span.

If you make an entry in the log, at a minimum please record the date and time in UTC, the mode you operated, your callsign and the callsigns of others with whom you may have had contact. The site will compute the orbit number automatically. Feel free to make additional comments about your observation.

If you select the checkbox, the system will save your callsign and gridsquare so you don't have to enter that information each time you visit the site.

This website is a work in progress. If you have suggestions, links or experience difficulties please contact the site operator at her callsign at amsat.org

Please Join and Support AMSAT

AMSAT is a worldwide group of Amateur Radio Operators who share an active interest in building, launching and communicating with each other through non-commercial Amateur Radio satellites. In the past 35 years AMSAT has used predominantly volunteer labor and donated resources to design, construct and,successfully launch over two dozen Amateur Radio communications satellites into Earth orbit.

Your membership in AMSAT will help fund both construction and ground support for new satellites. The newest projects are P3E Express and AMSAT Eagles I and II, and these three satellites are being designed to provide worldwide coverage 24/7.

These important projects are in need of financial support. Your membership in and donations to AMSAT will help insure the satellite programs are completed and launched.

If you are in North America, you can find information about joining AMSAT at:
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/membership

If you are outside North America, you can find out about local AMSAT activities at:
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/AboutAmsat