OSCAR 1 - Recording of signals


Recorded by Roy Welch, W5SLL (now W0SL) at Dallas, TX on December 14, 1961.
at 0722Z using a Tecraft converter in front of a National NC-300 receiver.

Oscar 1 was launched on an Agena B rocket from Vandenburg AFB in California
along with a Discovery series satellite.  KC4USA in Antarctica first
reported signals as it passed over there after being launched.  Oscar 1 was
battery powered. Its signals lasted for about two weeks.  The batteries
were not rechargable.  The transmissions were on 145.00Mhz.  The CW signal
repeatedly sent HI in morse code.  The number of HIs per minute, or the
"HI Rate" was the only telemetry sent.  The HI Rate gave the internal
package temperature.  Amateurs were asked to report the HI rate.

At W5SLL, there was no tracking antenna available.  The antenna was cut for
108Mhz for listening to the new USA satellites.  It was a six element
colinear array constructed on a 13X13 foot wooden frame and suspended above
a "chicken wire" reflector.  The whole array was placed on the roof of the
house looking up at about 75 degrees above the southern horizon.  Satellites
were captured as they flew through the main lobe of the antenna.

If you play this recording at a slower speed you can distinctly read the
HIs being sent.  At normal speed it sounds like a cricket chirping.

Enjoy a bit of history.

73, Roy -- W0SL