RS-12:

Launched: Feb. 5, 1991

Orbit: 985 Km Period: 105 Min Typical Window: 17 Min

RS-12 (RS-12/13) is a Low Earth orbit satellite in currently Mode KA SSB. It was lately in Mode KT, but this was changed due to the death of RS-10. The RS-13 side of the satellite is currently off. The low frequencies of this satellite make it very easy to correct for the Doppler shift. However Sun spots and sporadic E can make it interesting.

Linear Transponder:

Mode A

Uplink 145.910-145.950 USB/CW

Downlink 29.410-29.450 USB/CW

Beacon: 29.408

Mode K

Uplink 21.210-21.250

Downlink same as above, 10 meters

Mode KT

15 meters up with both the 2 meter and 10 meter down

Mode KA

Both 15 and 2 meters up and 10 meters down

Equipment Required: Mode KT SSB

Antennas:

Uplink: 2m Whip 10W, Egg beater, or tracking Yagi.

Downlink: 10m Whip or Dipole is better.

Radio:

2m USB transmitter with 100Hz steps or better, 10m receiver with preamp.

Other:

Trackers are not needed for this bird, a 10 Meter Yagi would be a bit big.

However, software for the Doppler is helpful.