This 343 Kb wave file was recorded by W5JA on 145.82 MHz at 6:22 pm Thursday, December 4 in northeast Norman with an 11-element Cushcraft beam pointing west (not particularly at Sputnik 2). Sputnik 2 (also known as RS-17) is a scale model of the original Sputnik launched from the Mir spacestation recently to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Sputnik.
The wave file has been cut to the best (clearest, loudest) 16-second segment of the original 60-second recording (the pass was several minutes, but the satellite rotates, affecting its antenna polarization relative to mine). Although the 1270 Hz tone was perfectly readable, I bandpassed filtered the signal (1200 to 1400 Hz) and altered the dynamics to reduce noise.
[A 106 kb WAV file is available for the bandwidth bereft.]The tone frequency is related to internal temperature of Sputnik 2. A frequency of 1270 Hz indicates an internal temperature of about 25oC.
(Beacon 145.820 MHz FM) Operational.
QSL Information is as follows:
Sergej Samburov
PO Box 73
Kaliningrad - 10 City
Moscow Area 10470
Russia
(or)
FR5KJ Radio Club
College Jules Reydellet
103 Rue de la Republique
97 489 Saint Denis Cedex
Reunion Island, France