Znamya 2.5 information
Philip Chien (kc4yer@amsat.org)
Wed, 9 Dec 1998 01:32:19 -0500
Ham radio operators often exchange postcards to acknowledge contacts,
especially unusual ones. It's also common to get "SWL" cards (shortwave
listener) when you hear a particular signal.
The procedure is to send the transmitting party your card acknowledging
that you received the signal along with the postage for the return card or
certificate. In the case of the Znamya reflector which will be deployed
from the Progress spacecraft they've chosen to issue SWL cards, even though
it's technically the 400 nanometer band (visible light) instead of
shortwave.
Here's the details.
>Znamya 2.5 or Banner:
>Tentative activation date, February 1999
>
>The Banner is a large round reflector attached to the end of the Progress
>M40 cargo rocket. When the Banner is deployed in February 1999, it will
>be visible in the evening sky in many parts of the world. The reflected
>light of Znamya-2.5 is 5-10 times brighter than the full Moon It may also
>be possible to reflect radio signals off the Znamya. If you have a high
>power Amateur Radio EME system, you may be able to have an E-Znamya-E
>contact.
>
>For the rest of us we will have to be content with just looking at Znamya
>and getting a SWVisibility card. The MAREX-Russia team will be issuing a
>QSL type card for people who spot the Znamya Banner. The team is
>interested in getting reports from around the world on the visibility of
>the Znamya Banner. If you do see it, then you can send away for a card.
>Just include the usually information, name, address, country, Date and
>time (UTC format) you saw Znamya and a short description of how bright it
>appeared.
>
>
>Envelopes should be well sealed and do not include cash. Send a SAE (Self
>Addressed Envelope ) and one or two IRC coupons (which can be purchased at
>major US post offices). Do not make any notes on the out side of the
>envelope with Amateur Radio Call signs visible.
>
>QSL Information for SWL (Short Wave Listener)
>Sergej Samburov
>PO Box 73
>Korolev-10 City
>Moscow Area, 141070, Russia
>
>************************************************
>
>Schedule: The Znamya 2.5 reflector was delivered to Mir aboard Progress
>M-40 on October 27, 1998. The deployment is planned for mid-February 1999
>just after the undocking of Progress M-40. The nominal duration of the
>experiment is 24 hours. Mir and Progress M will complete 16 revolutions
>around the globe and cover all the world continents.
>
>For more information about the Znamya project, check out the Energia web
>page below.
>http://www.energialtd.com/
>
>Copyright 1998 Miles Mann, All Rights Reserved. This document may be
>freely distributed via the following means - Email (including listservers),
>Usenet, and WorldWideWeb. It may not be reproduced for profit including,
>but not limited to, CD ROMs, books, and/or other commercial outlets without
>prior written consent from the author.
Philip Chien, KC4YER
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