Scenario 3 - Weather Emergency Handover
Shift Turnover Notes
Date: Tuesday, 1045 Local Station: Vermont (VT-01) Operator on Duty: You Supervisor: Charlie Brooks (present) Maine Station: ME-02 (unmanned, Catherine Vega en route)
Weather service just upgraded the forecast to a blizzard warning. Snow started falling about ten minutes ago and it’s coming down hard. Link margin to TIDEMARK-1 is already degrading - we’ve got maybe fifteen minutes before AGC runs out of compensation range.
Maine is 150 miles northeast with clear skies. Catherine is driving in now - should arrive in about ten minutes. We need to get the backup site configured and execute the handover before Vermont goes dark.
This is your first multi-site handover. I’ll walk you through it, but you’re doing the work.
— Charlie
Catherine (text message, 1038):
On my way in. Roads are still clear up here. ETA 10-15 min depending on how the plow situation looks. Don’t wait for me - get Maine configured remotely and I’ll verify on-site when I arrive.
Active Services
| Satellite | Customer | Service Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TIDEMARK-1 | Teleport Services Inc. | Enterprise Data | Operational (degrading) |
TIDEMARK-1 provides backbone connectivity for several enterprise customers in the northeastern corridor. Service interruptions impact multiple downstream clients - banks, hospitals, regional carriers. Every minute of downtime is visible.
TIDEMARK-1 Link Parameters
Frequency Allocation
| Parameter | RF (MHz) | LO (MHz) | IF (MHz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beacon (Downlink) | 4,175.5 | 5,250 (LNB) | 1,074.5 |
| Carrier (Downlink) | 3,718 | 5,250 (LNB) | 1,532 |
| Carrier (Uplink) | 5,943 | 4,849 (BUC) | 1,094 |
Modem Configuration
| Direction | Frequency (IF) | Bandwidth | Modulation | FEC | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receive | 1,532 MHz | 36 MHz | QPSK | 3/4 | — |
| Transmit | 1,094 MHz | 36 MHz | QPSK | 3/4 | -7 dBm |
LNB Configuration
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| LO Frequency | 5,250 MHz |
| Gain | 60 dB |
| Reference | External (GPSDO 10 MHz) |
Weather Briefing
Current Conditions (1045):
- Temperature: 26°F (-3°C)
- Wind: NW at 25 mph, gusts to 40
- Precipitation: Heavy snow, 2+ inches/hour
- Visibility: 0.25 miles
Forecast (next 6 hours):
- Blizzard conditions continuing through 1700
- Additional accumulation: 12-18 inches
- Wind-driven snow creating significant signal attenuation
Link Impact:
- Current weather degradation: ~4 dB
- Projected at storm peak: 8+ dB (exceeds AGC compensation range)
Station Reference
Vermont (VT-01) - Primary
| Equipment | Current State | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GPSDO | Locked | Timing reference stable |
| LNB | Powered, locked | Weather degrading signal |
| BUC | Powered, unmuted | Currently transmitting |
| HPA | Enabled | Active uplink |
| Antenna | Program-track on TIDEMARK-1 | |
| Feed Heater | Needs activation | Enable for ice protection |
Maine (ME-02) - Backup
| Equipment | Current State | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GPSDO | Locked | Verify before configuring RF |
| LNB | Powered off | Cold start required |
| BUC | Muted | Will enable during handover |
| HPA | Disabled | Will enable during handover |
| Antenna | Stowed (El: 90°) | Point to TIDEMARK-1 |
| Feed Heater | Standby | Clear weather, not needed |
Weather Handover Procedure (SOP-WX-003)
Operations rolled out this procedure last month after the January ice storm revealed gaps in our ad-hoc approach. This is the first time VT-01 has needed to execute it.
Pre-Handover: Protect Vermont
- Enable feed heater on Vermont ACU
- Note current AGC compensation level
Backup Site Activation (Maine)
Timing Verification
- GPSDO locked
- GNSS signal present
Antenna
- Tracking mode: Program Track
- Target: TIDEMARK-1
- Position reached
Receive Chain
- LNB powered, LO: 5,250 MHz, Gain: 60 dB
- Thermal stabilization complete
- Beacon visible at 1,074.5 MHz IF
Receiver (Modem)
- Frequency: 1,532 MHz
- Bandwidth: 36 MHz, Mod: QPSK, FEC: 3/4
- Carrier lock confirmed
- C/N ≥ 10 dB
Transmitter (Modem)
- Frequency: 1,094 MHz, Power: -7 dBm
- Bandwidth: 36 MHz, Mod: QPSK, FEC: 3/4
- Transmission enabled
Traffic Transfer
- Open TIDEMARK-1 satellite dashboard
- Execute transfer: VT-01 → ME-02
- Verify service continuity (zero packet loss target)
Post-Handover: Stow Vermont
- Return to Vermont station view
- Set tracking mode: Stow
- Confirm antenna reaches stow position (El: 90°)
AGC Reference
| AGC Level | Status |
|---|---|
| Low | Minimal compensation |
| Medium | Normal operation |
| High | Link margin shrinking |
| Maximum | Link failure imminent |
Escalation Guidelines
Handle Yourself:
- Weather handover execution (you’re trained for this)
- Feed heater activation
- Equipment configuration at backup site
- Traffic transfer between stations
Inform Charlie:
- Handover complete (so he can update NOC)
- Any equipment faults during handover
- Service impact beyond expected transition
This is routine for winter operations. Work methodically and you’ll be fine.
End of Briefing
The clock is running. Snow is degrading Vermont’s link and the AGC is working harder every minute. Catherine will arrive at Maine shortly, but you need to get the station configured before she walks in the door.
Charlie is watching, but he expects you to execute. This is what multi-site operations look like in the Northeast - routine procedure, but time-critical.
Get Vermont’s feed heater on, bring Maine online, execute the handover, and stow Vermont’s antenna before the storm gets worse.
Clock’s ticking.