Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cwjcc!gatech!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!masticol
From: masticol@athos.rutgers.edu (Steve Masticola)
Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: Re: Voice channel beeps.
Message-ID: <Jul.21.21.57.29.1989.15319@athos.rutgers.edu>
Date: 22 Jul 89 01:57:30 GMT
References: <474@bach.nsc.com>
Distribution: usa
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.
Lines: 13

Bill Bencze writes:

] What function do the ever present "beeps" serve in the voice
] communication between spacecraft and the ground? These are the 
] 1~3 kHz beeps of about a half second in duration which seem to
] occur at random duning the transmissions.  Are they electronic
] "Over" signals automatically sent at the end of a transmission or
] some other type of timing signal.

They're not random. I believe they're sent when the speaking party's
VOX times out (after about a half second of silence).

- Steve (masticol@athos.rutgers.edu)