SO-50 is a current alternative to AO-51
http://ww2.amsat.org/?page_id1015

AO-51 update
November 29, 2011

It is with a heavy heart that I report that AO-51 has stopped broadcasting and is not responding to commands. The latest telemetry data indicated that the third of the six batteries was approaching a short circuit, and observations indicate that the voltage from three cells is insufficient to power the UHF transmitters. The IHU can remain operational. Initial tests with the S-band transmitter were also not positive, although more attempts are in order. We have tried to leave the satellite in an expected state, where if the voltage gets high enough the 435.150 transmitter might be heard.

The command team will attempt to communicate with the satellite regularly in the coming months (and years). There's always the possibility that a cell will open up and we'll be able to talk to our friend again while he's lit. Thank you to all who helped finance, design, build, launch, fly and operate AO-51. The seven-year mission was extraordinary. Please support AMSAT's Fox-1 project and other AMSAT projects worldwide with your time and money.

For the AO-51 Commando Team,

73, Drew KO4MA
AMSAT-NA VP Operations

I'm trying my luck working with AO-51.

Bracket video –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?vjwNIimeKOEI

N1ASA tells us how to do this correctly!
http://hvsatcom.org/Satcom/sats.pdf

I use Orbitron – Satellite Tracking software. It's free, you can download it from:
http://www.stoff.pl

A very good web-based site for satellite forecasting is:
http://www.heavens-above.com/

Grid squares are used for location. My grid is CM99. You can read more about this at;
http://www.arrl.org/locate/gridinfo.html

Arrow antennas
http://www.arrowantennas.com/

Randy

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