* MIR PMS REMINDERS *
=====================
The 70-cm experiment with the Mir PMS is currently in progress.  The PMS
will be on 437.650 MHz FM simplex until 28-Sep-97 after which it will be
switched back to 145.985 MHz FM simplex.  The same rules for working the
PMS on 2-meters apply to 70-cm UHF operations.

When voice is in use:

1. Compensate for Doppler shift.  Transceivers that tune in 5 kHz steps can
   be used for FM voice communications if compensation is made for the effects
   of Doppler shift.

2. Wait for the crew member to call "CQ", before calling Mir on voice.  The
   crew members are NOT contesters, and prefer to chat with one station at
   a time for 5-8 minutes.  When you hear "CQ", transmit your callsign once,
   then wait a few seconds and transmit your callsign again.  If the crew
   member hears you, he will call you by your callsign.  If they answer a
   different station, then you must wait until the next "CQ".

3. DO NOT attempt a packet radio connection with Mir when a member of the
   Mir crew is active on voice.

4. Reminder: The crew is normally on voice only during weekends and other
   off-duty hours (Moscow time).

When packet radio is in use:

1. Compensate for Doppler shift.  (Sorry, transceivers that tune in 5 kHz
   steps cannot work packet reliably.)

2. The modem port (R0MIR) is a dead port. DO NOT connect to R0MIR regardless
   of the "Welcome from the Mir crew" message that is transmitted periodically
   from this port.

3. The PMS port (R0MIR-1) is connected to the single user electronic mailbox
   within the PacComm TNC carried aboard the Mir space station.  Only ONE
   station can connect to the mailbox at a time.  All others must wait until
   the station using the mailbox finishes and logs off.

4. DO NOT use the Mir packet station as a digipeater to transmit beacons,
   CQs, or attempt connections with other groundstations.  The MIREX team
   has tested the digipeat function of the Mir packet station and found it
   offers poor performance, and causes damaging interference to users of
   the Mir PMS.

5. DO NOT call Mir on voice if packet is heard on its downlink frequency.

[Info via Miles Mann, WF1F]