A16 transmitter B switch (26 March 1973)

Abstract

At 0926 GMT (actual 0919 GMT) on 26 March 1973 Apollo 16 ALSEP transmitter B was selected by mission control. Switch over was implemented after a series of data dropouts, beginning 4 March 1973 and reported by several remote sites of the STDN, which gradually worsened until Ascension Island reported, "multiple PCM sync errors and further data (PCM) degradation" just prior to switching. The reported data dropouts were unlike those previously reported relative to other ALSEP Stations in that the received signal strength remained constant at -141 dbm.