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E2A06

OPERATING PROCEDURES · Amateur radio in space: amateur satellites; orbital mechanics; frequencies and modes; satellite hardware; satellite operations

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What are Keplerian elements?

  1. AParameters that define the orbit of a satellite
  2. BPhase reversing elements in a Yagi antenna
  3. CHigh-emission heater filaments used in magnetron tubes
  4. DEncrypting codes used for spread spectrum modulation
Why Keplerian elements (a "Kep set" or TLE, two-line element set) are the six-plus orbital parameters that mathematically describe where a satellite is and where it is going: inclination, right ascension of the ascending node, eccentricity, argument of perigee, mean anomaly, and mean motion, plus an epoch time stamp. Tracking software takes these numbers and propagates the orbit forward to predict pass times, elevation, and Doppler shift. They are named for Johannes Kepler, who worked out the laws of orbital motion, and updated sets are published regularly because orbits decay and drift.
Watch out The Yagi answer plays on the word "elements" meaning antenna rods, but antenna elements have nothing to do with orbits; the magnetron and spread spectrum choices are unrelated filler.
Kepler = planets and orbits. If the question says Keplerian, the answer is about an orbit, not an antenna.
HamSandwich explanation, first draft. The question and answers are the NCVEC text.
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The rest of E2A

  1. E2A01 What is the direction of an ascending pass for an amateur satellite?
  2. E2A02 Which of the following is characteristic of an inverting linear transponder?
  3. E2A03 How is an upload signal processed by an inverting linear transponder?
  4. E2A04 What is meant by the "mode" of an amateur radio satellite?
  5. E2A05 What do the letters in a satellite's mode designator specify?
  6. E2A06 What are Keplerian elements?
  7. E2A07 Which of the following types of signals can be relayed through a linear transponder?
  8. E2A08 Why should effective radiated power (ERP) be limited to a satellite that uses a linear transponder?
  9. E2A09 What do the terms "L band" and "S band" specify?
  10. E2A10 What type of satellite appears to stay in one position in the sky?
  11. E2A11 What type of antenna can be used to minimize the effects of spin modulation and Faraday rotation?
  12. E2A12 What is the purpose of digital store-and-forward functions on an amateur radio satellite?
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