intnat’l space stn – shuttle – sats

Army Ham in Space!

Army Colonel Doug Wheelock, KF5BOC, has put together an awesome YouTube video of himself making contacts over North America prefaced by a tour of the International Space Station. He has just successfully returned to Earth. Welcome Home, Sir!

Makes you want to go right out and get an Arrow II.

NA1SS VOICE FREQUENCY (region 1).
Region 1 = Europe * Middle East * Africa * North-Asia
RXdownlink: 145.800Mhz (FM).
TXuplink: 145.200Mhz (FM).
—————————————————————————–
NA1SS VOICE FREQUENCY (region 2 & 3).
North and South America * Caribbean * Greenland
South Asia * Australia * New Zealand * Oceania
RXdownlink: 145.800Mhz (FM).
TXuplink: 144.490Mhz (FM).

On these links you can see the ISS position:
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/tracking/index.html
http://space.cweb.nl/space3d_iss_globe_xp107.html

On this link you can see ISS crew’s work and sleep times:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/timelines/

News & Notes

Last night I went out to the seawall at Fort Monroe to see if I could see the Space Shuttle Discovery as it headed away from the Kennedy Space Center towards it’s link up with the International Space Station. I was out on the fishing pier, scanning across the Chesapeake from Norfolk to Virginia Beach just before the launch time (2047 Eastern). I had my PRO-548 monitoring the 2M repeater up in Gloucester where WB7URZ, Randy, was giving out a running commentary of the launch to those of us trying to catch a glimpse “Main engine start, she’s on the way”. I was quite cold and the wind was strong, biting my ears and exposed fingers. Word was passed – Discovery was on her way. I wasn’t quite sure what I was looking for…. a streak of light? Crackling over the scanner was Randy saying he didn’t see anything and another ham also saying he wasn’t see anything either. The wind was consistently sapping my internal heat… I saw lights from a helicopter, lights from aircraft… the stars… the constellation Orion was above Virginia Beach. I turned and started walking back towards the truck. Then I saw it…. a bright dot of light, moving from south to north about 10 degrees above the horizon…. moving fast! The scanner crackled, “I see, do you see it?!”… “Cool”… the bright dot continued it’s movement, flickered, and diminished in brightness. “She just dropped her external engines….” And across the horizon, getting fainter, the dot continued.

Other news… I tried my first bottle of beer from my first attempt at brewing. I had four bottles in the fridge that have been cooling, one I had added brown sugar, two I had added white sugar, and the last was half and half. I forgot to label what was what. I pulled out a bottle and brought it over near the sink. Wasn’t sure what would happen… would it explode with too much carbonation? I popped of the lid slowly… I could hear the carbonation being released. That was a good sign. It didn’t explode. I poured the bottle’s contents into a glass… it looked like beer. Light golden in color, slightly cloudy (like the book said). Not much carbonation. A little bit of bubbles on top, but not much. I tasted it. Cool, beer-like. But not quite right. I took the glass and sat down. I looked at the color… the color was good. I smelled it. Slight vinegar smell (which the book said meant that something got dirty during the process). It kind of had more of a hard cider taste. My guess is that this bottle had all brown sugar. I’m going to try another beer today and see if the experience is different. I also want to mix another batch of a different flavor and get it going.

Work AO-51 with your FT-817

Clint Bradford

Work AO-51 with your FT-817…or just about any dual-band HT!

Summary: Program a channel with split freqs, per your owners manual.

The Details: The two primary modes of operations for AO-51 are FM analog voice and 9600-baud packet. AO-51’s transmitters have variable power output, and can operate as high as 8 Watts output on 70cm. Hams are successfully working the satellite with HTs!

In AO-51’s V/U mode, the UPLINK (to AO-51) freq for voice is 145.920MHz with a 67.0Hz CTCSS tone. The DOWNLINK (from AO-51) freq is 435.300MHz (no tone).

First, you need to know WHEN and WHERE the satellite will be passing over your location. There are several computer programs that will tell you. In the home office, I use Nova for Windows[1]. Outside, though, I use PocketSat[2] on my Garmin iQue 3600 PDA and Verizon Wireless Treo 650. Both programs are easily updated with current satellite tracking data that is available on the Internet. Or, you can go to…

http://www.heavens-above.com -or- http://www.amsat.org

…and sign up. Using your longitude and latitude coordinates, you can access amateur satellite pass information (and a lot more!).

The one “absolute” for success is to open up your squelch. Working satellites starts off as a process of finding weak signals, so don’t expect the satellite to be anywhere as strong enough to break squelch like your local repeater. It’s noisy, but that’s part of the process. Noise can also be an aid in locating the satellite because when the frequency starts to exhibit QUIETING, that’s a sure sign that you are hearing the satellite!

Use a good antenna for your handheld. A good gain whip antenna like Pryme’s AL-800[3] (not for SMA connectors, though!) will make the difference. Using an Arrow dual-band[4] is better, and if you prefer to homebrew your antenna, Alex Diaz XE1MEX[5] has an excellent Yagi-Uda.

Set up your radio so you can to tune for the doppler effect. Start listening 5 KHz above the center frequency[6] – you will hear the satellite sooner and clearer. When you hear the downlink signals get scratchy or fuzzy, tune down 1KHz at a time, and reception should be clearer. Follow the signal down in frequency as the pass continues.

Don’t hold your whip antenna upright. Vertical antennas are not as efficient, and a HT held upright isn’t either. The satellite isn’t on the ground (which is what HTs and vertical antennas were designed for). TILT IT about the same amount as the satellite’s ELEVATION. This means that if you are FACING the satellite, tilt it down towards the ground from HORIZONTAL an equal amount. If the satellite is to your back, tilt it up an equal amount away from the satellites position off the vertical. You will be surprised at the difference.

Many use headphones – especially if working full duplex. If you have an Icom IC-W32A, you can listen to your own downlink (helpful, but not necessary). Your brain can be better at discriminating signals than most expensive DSPs.

Knowing your gridsquare – and having a gridsquare map – is a quick way of identifying locations of what you will be hearing. The ARRL and Icom have some dandy gridsquare maps, the latter of which are free at better amateur radio stores[7].

Remember the “three Ps” for working amateur satellites: preparation, planning, and patience. Not every pass is workable with an HT or listenable with a scanner – so don’t go after the 10 degree passes. Pick your passes, and work the ones you know will give you the best chance.

When you hear others, try to find a break in the action, and announce your callsign, grid square, and op mode, like this:

“KILO-SIX-LIMA-CHARLIE-SIERRA, D-M – ONE-THREE, handheld.”

Many hams record their sessions for later review. Even if you don’t make contacts, it helps to accustom yourself to the callsigns, voices and personalities of the other operators. When I first started out, I found it more valuable to know which contacts I missed rather than the ones I made.

Ask questions! Find an elmer or look up the AMSAT[8] area coordinator for your area. Posting specific questions on the AMSAT bulletin board will also help you find answers.

Clint Bradford, K6LCS
Email: clint@clintbradford.com
Updated 07/17/06

Notes

[1] Nova for Windows is available from Northern Lights Software Associates’ Web site at: http://www.nlsa.com

[2] PocketSat is available from Big Fat Tail’s site: http://www.bigfattail.com

[3] The Pryme AL-800 telescopes to 34″ and collapses to 10″. Is is packaged with a 9″ rat tail – which you can use for everyday use. Use caution with this massive, heavy antenna: It has the potential of placing a lot of stress on your radio’s BNC connector. Pryme claims gain figures of 3.2 dB on VHF and 5.5 dB on UHF. Available at better amateur dealers – including Ham Radio Outlet – HRO.

[4] Arrow’s Model 146/437-10WBP is a dual-band cross-Yagi design, with a duplexer built into the handle. It has three elements on 2M and 7 elements on 440. (You’ve seen pictures in QST and elsewhere of operators using this great antenna!) Also available at HRO – see it on Arrow’s Web site at…
http://www.arrowantennas.com/146-437.html

[5] Alex has performed a lot of work on suitable homebrew antennas for satellite enthusiasts. His Web site is: http://xe1mex.gq.nu/antenas/yagi.html

[6] For example, here’s how I have programmed my FT-817 for AO-51:

Ch # Name TX Freq CTCSS RX Freq CTCSS
101 51 -2 145.920 67.0 435.310 None
102 51 -1 145.920 67.0 435.305 None
103 51 MID 145.920 67.0 435.300 None
104 51 +1 145.920 67.0 435.295 None
105 51 +2 145.920 67.0 435.290 None

[7] Icom’s map is available at the Anaheim HRO, and also available as a .pdf file on their Web site at: http://www.icomamerica.com/downloads/usgridsq.pdf

[8] AMSAT deserves your support! Membership isn’t that expensive, and members are entitled to discounts on AMSAT publications and satellite tracking software!

http://www.amsat.org

Clint Bradford, K6LCS
clint@clintbradford.com

Satellites

From : Don
Reply-To : HamRadioHelpGroup@xx
Sent : Thursday, December 29, 2005 9:33 PM
Subject : [HamRadioHelpGroup] Re: Satellites (AO-51 mostly)

Bryan KE7EZE (really like the EZE call)

Hey…I use to live on working the Birds/SATS but still try to work them from time to time, so yes I have some suggestions and info. First, it is weaksignal work so no squelch and turn up the volume once your area of the world is in the ‘window’ of the SAT. Second, make sure your tracking software is on the correct time and it and your clocks are correct…you can’t work anyone if the pass you think is overhead was 30 minutes ago or before…also remember that you will only get a few passes so the first ones over the horizon will be shorter and just minutes and the max maybe 10 to 15 minutes so you don’t have much time…be at the ready…also note what type antenna you have and the angle it works best for SAT contacts, if it works best to the horizon like a directional yagi then work the SAT at the 0 to 20 deg range at the horizon is your best bet because if you don’t have a rotor to go overhead you will be out of luck when the SAT is higher overhead..if you use a vertical or eggbeater note the best areas or passes and the degree the SAT is at when best signals. Finally, make sure if you have a small station that you work the SAT on the ‘off’ pass cycles or the less busy times…you can bet that a 7pm pass will be very busy and have more Hams wanting to work the SAT than a 11pm or 12mid pass…your chances will be better on less busy time passes.

As far as some sites for SAT homebrew Jerry K5OE has one of the best sites for that…some PVC and wire and you might be surprised at what you can make for the SATS…give these a try:

http://www.g6lvb.com/HomebrewArrow.htm
http://members.aol.com/k5oejerry/handi-tenna.htm
http://webpages.charter.net/n4wyk/satants.htm
http://members.aol.com/k5oe/
http://members.aol.com/homebrewpics/
http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/satellite.html
http://xe1mex.gq.nu/antenas/yagi.html

For those new to SATS here is an old blog on SATS and it also is in our Ham Radio Help Group ‘files’ but here is a bit of info for those new to Ham SATS:

******** from our files section **************

Thanks for your interest in knowing more about working the Amatuer Satellites. They are fun to work and if you are in a dead area for 2 meter or 440 70/cm contacts this will give you another way to work stations using those bands! BTW AMSAT is the Sats number one oranizations with tons of information for the Sat user so keep this link handy:

http://www.amsat.org/

Ok..now for the Satellites……if you crave some DX and more activity on VHF/UHF then working the Sats will do just that for you.

First off ………how does a Satellite actually work?…… How the Sats work is quite simple really…they are like a floating repeater system……you will transmit up on one band (like the 2 meter band) and then it will then inturn take your signal and transmit it down on another band (like the 440 band). That is the simple way to explain it now there are other things involved like knowing when the Satellites are in “view” or in your “window” in order to work them….knowing some about the position (height, angle etc) of the Satellite and also the doppler effect (which is like a loud car driving by you … sounds and frequency will change as it is far to close etc). But really just think simple…this is not brain surgery and anyone can work the Sats!

First you will need to think about an antenna system to use for the Satellites. Like anything else in radio the better the antenna system the more stations (or Sats) you will work. I know many on just HT’s or mobilt antennas that work the Sats (possible but lots or trying! Also most have 2 meter FM rigs but maybe not a 440 rig but many of you DO have a scanner with 440 on it so try it with an outside 440 antenna)…..but most are on Eggbeater or smaller beams. You will need one for the each band the Satellite that you want to use uses…a nice 2 meter and 440 is good for starters (btw the Sats have different modes that are derived from the band you use going up and the band used coming back down to earth). Just to give you a look at some homebrew Sat antennas take a look at Jerry’s K5OE website…..he is a great guy and if you get into Sats then you will surely hear and work this guy…but look at all you can build for little of nothing…go here:

http://members.aol.com/k5oe/

Another good Sat Antenna site:
http://members.fortunecity.com/xe1bef/vhf-uhf-antennas.htm

So let you know I use a small 2 meter 5 element beam for the up band and a small 7 elelment 440 beam for the down band. You can also tilt your beam at an angle…I tilt my 440 beam at about 20 degrees or so up in the air at an angle to get better coverage of the Sats (I do not have an expensive rotor to do that so I just have them tilted up if that makes since to you….also use old Aliance U-100 tv rotors that are `through’ hole mast rotors around $30 to $40 used).

Ok….now you know what you have to have for antennas so how about reading a very good article on “WORKING THE EASY SATS”…..after reading this article I worked my first Sat the next day…..make sure to note the Frequecy Charts on this great article…also bookmark it or print it or copy it and use it as a reference!! I would work the UO-14 Sat first (note: UO-14 is DEAD so please not this but other Sats are worked just the same…and a new Echo51 up and running )…it is by far the easiest but you will have to try lots as it is the hardest to get into also since it is the easiest……remember on these FM type repeater Satellites the STRONGEST signals win out on them!! So go here and read this please!!! here:

http://www.amsat.org/amsat/intro/faqs.html
(look about midpage down for the “WORKING THE EASY SATS”)

Also this is a good one:
http://www.qsl.net/vk3jed/1st_sat.html

Ok …now you got an idea of what you need for antennas….and you got an idea how these Sats work by reading that article but now you need to know when you can work them…or when the Satellites are over your area. There is a nice online real-time tracking from Nasa called JTrack and you can use that if you are online and know when a Sat is in your view. Also on the NASA page you can print out plots or predictions so you have them at the ready…I think you can even have them email the predictions to you weekly if you like! The other program for tracking I strongly suggest is SATSCAPE….so go here and download the best Satellite Predicting program out there called SATSCAPE….and it is FREE!!! Go here and download and install your free virsion (I can help you set it up if you need help):

http://www.satscape.co.uk/
http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/realtime/jtrack/Spacecraft.html (you can even print a plot of the Satellite path to take it out in the field/yard with you!…also you can set this site up to email you the path schedules of the Satellites you want to work!)

Ok..now you got all the tools you need to work the Sats…..that is it!!! Don’t make this complicated because it is not! It is lots of fun and although the windows for contact or short (like only 20 minutes per Sat passing) ..it is fun and worth it!!! You will get lots of QSL’s of people wanting to confirm your grid square and contact! So have those QSL cards ready! If you need a program to make your own QSLs then go here …get the FREE Qslmaker and make your own if you need too…that is what I use…go here:

http://www.hfradio.org/wb8rcr/

Ok…I went on way too long but I really like the Sats and Ham radio.
So do these steps:
1. Have a 2 meter and 440 meter antenna ready to go (make them or use whatever you have now and see if you can hear the Sats….the homebrew stuff are easy and cheap!)
2. Read “Working the Easy Sats”….it will make since one you read it!
3. Use the NASA Jtrack or download and install SATSCAPE for FREE…you have to have a tracking program to know when you can work them!
4. Have Fun and work some stations!
5. Get addicted to them and keep upgrading with better coverage/gain antennas feed with low loss feedline adding rxpreamps…it’s weak signal work that is a challenge.

GL on the Birds!
de kb9umt Don EN50
ps….There are many Hams that are Satellite only ops and don’t use anything but Sats to make contacts…many are Tech license folks that are so addicted may never want to go to HF and just be left to the action on the Satellite VHF/UHF bands!…….above was just a very short overview with only a small amount of information using FM Sats…once you get into them you will see the FM Sats are easy and you will want to work some SSB/voice/digital ones with more band space for long QSO’s and other Sats out further with larger coverage areas…….and more contacts! They are addicting!

Current Sat stats from http://www.AMSAT.org

Operational Summary
Here is a basic summary of satellite status. The table that follows this status is a summary of operational satellites that are or were recently popular. These tables lists only OSCAR satellites.
Operational AO-27, FO-29, GO-32, SO-50,AO-51, VO-52, ARISS, PCSAT2
Semi-Operational* AO-7, UO-11, RS-15, AO-16, LO-19, NO-44
Non-Operational OSCAR, OSCAR II, OSCAR III, OSCAR-IV, AO-5, AO-6, AO-8, RS-1, RS-2, AO-10, FO-12, RS-10/11, UO-14, UO-15, DO-17, WO-18, FO-20, AO-21 (RS-14), RS 12/13, UO-22, KO-23, AO-24, KO-25, IO-26, PO-28, MO-30, TM-31, RS-17, SO-33, PO-34, SO-35, UO-36, AO-37, OO-38, WO-39, AO-40, SO-41, SO-42, SO-43, NO-45, MO-46, BO-47, BO-48, AO-49, XO-53
Future Launch SSETI Express, P3-E Express

AO51 info:
AMSAT-OSCAR 51 (Echo or AO-51)
Analog Uplink: 145.920 MHz FM (PL – 67Hz)145.880 MHz FM QRP (no PL)
1268.700 MHz FM (PL – 67Hz)
Analog Downlink: 435.300 MHz FM2401.200 MHz FM
PSK-31 Uplink 28.140 MHz USB
Digital Uplink: 145.860 MHz 9600 bps, AX.251268.700 MHz 9600 bps AX.25
Digital Downlink: 435.150 MHz 9600 bps, AX.252401.200 MHz
38,400 bps, AX.25
Broadcast Callsign: PECHO-11
BBS Callsign: PECHO-12
Launched June 29, 2004

Status: Operational
AMSAT-OSCAR 51 or Echo as it is more commonly known is a FM satellite carrying 4 VHF receivers, 2 UHF transmitters, a multimode receiver and a 2400MHz transmitter. It can handle voice and FSK data up to 76.8Kbps. Echo was launched into a low, sun-synchronous polar orbit approximately 850 km high. You must transmit a 67Hz PL tone in order to access the Echo voice repeater.
Please note the change in operational phone downlink frequency to 435.300 MHz.

— In HamRadioHelpGroup@yahoogroups.com, “Bryan Koschmann, KE7EZE”
wrote:
>
> Hello All,
>
> Hope everyone had a nice holiday! I ended up with the flu just before Christmas, but nice otherwise.
>
> Anyhow, I’ve been attempting to work AO-51. I’m using Predict (on a slackware box) for tracking. FT-8900 setup as a base to my antenna up on the roof (not sure what the technical name is for it, SO-239 with a vertical and 4 radials of copper).
>
> I can receive decently I guess, and didn’t get any responses to my call but on one occasion during a high pass (~85 degrees), but didn’t catch his call and lost him. Now I’m looking for a better solution (different antennas most likely).
>
> I guess I really have 2 choices, some better omnidirectional(s) for the roof, or yagi/quagis using handhelds in the backyard. I really prefer to build my own, but a lot of the sites that seem to have what I need are down.
>
> I’ve mostly been looking at some sort of Eggbeater style for the roof, or just building smaller, separate yagis for 2m and 70cm and rigging up a mount to use outside.
>
> Does anyone have any pointers, plans, tips, hints, etc etc? 🙂
>
> Thanks,
>
> Bryan, KE7EZE

ARISS-Russia “Space Patrol” holiday operating event set

ARISS-Russia “Space Patrol” holiday operating event set (Dec 22, 2005) — ARISS-Russia’s Sergey Samburov, RV3DR, has announced that his team and Russian Space Agency Roscosmos/Energia will sponsor “Space Patrol,” a space-related operating event, December 25 and 26. The activity will be both space-based and ground-based and on HF as well as VHF. International Space Station Flight Engineer Valery Tokarev will take part from space via RS0ISS. Special pass times are December 25 at 2056 UTC, and December 26 at 1947 UTC. Western Europeans should listen 10 minutes prior. RS0ISS will use 145.99 MHz FM simplex (145.55 MHz FM simplex will be a back-up frequency). Worldwide earthbound ham radio operations on HF will begin December 25 at 1200 UTC and continue through the following day. Frequencies are on or about 7.080-7.090 MHz (transmit) listening on 7.290 MHz, 14.180-14.290 MHz and 21.280-21.390 MHz. Hams and cosmonauts will be on the air from Energia’s R3K in Korolev and from RK3DZB at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City. Cosmonauts planning to participate (most likely on December 26 from RK3DZB) include Mir and ISS veterans Sergei Krikalev, U5MIR; Yuri Usachev, RW3FU; and Alexander Kaleri, U8MIR. The activity commemorates the first anniversary of the death of cosmonaut Gennady Strekalev, U6MIR. “Space Patrol” participants are eligible for a certificate and a commemorative QSL card. Details on how to obtain these will be announced.

ISS 12 Commander Shooting for WAC, WAS and Maybe DXCC from Space

NEWINGTON, CT, Dec 14, 2005–ISS Expedition 12 Commander Bill McArthur, KC5ACR, has proven to be one of the more active Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) operators among ham radio operators who have occupied the space station. Early in his ISS duty tour, McArthur got on the air from NA1SS for Scouting’s Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) event in October, but he’s also been available during his off hours to make some quick, casual QSOs on 2 meters as well. In fact, McArthur’s having so much fun operating from space that he’s hoping to complete Worked All Continents (WAC), Worked All States (WAS) and maybe even DXCC from space.

“Bill McArthur continues to be active on voice and now has a couple of personal goals he is trying to achieve,” says ARISS Ham Radio Project Engineer Kenneth Ransom, N5VHO. “He is trying to talk to someone in every state in the United States. According to his log, he has managed to work 37 states so far.” In addition, Ransom says, McArthur wants to work as many countries as he can.

“He’s off to a good start with 28 DXCC entities in his log as of December 12,” he said. “These contacts have been with amateur stations on every continent with the exception of Antarctica.” That contact could happen this weekend, however. Although the IARU does not require WAC applicants to have worked Antarctica, Ransom says that ARISS tradition calls for an Antarctica QSO to achieve WAC from space “since the astronauts seem to have an unfair advantage.”

Expedition 9 astronaut Mike Fincke, KE5AIT, became the first ISS crew member to contact all seven of the world’s continents via Amateur Radio from NA1SS. Fincke worked KC4AAC at Antarctica’s Palmer Research Station for his last contact. In 1992, shuttle astronauts David Leestma, N5WQC, and Kathryn Sullivan also worked Palmer Station to complete their WAC list.

States on McArthur’s most-needed list are Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.

“The list of DXCC entities is just starting to grow, so he needs a lot right now,” Ransom conceded this week. “I figure he can get it if we are able to add a handful of smaller entities.” He noted that Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, soon would be in Guantanamo Bay and will try to work the ISS from there. Ransom says he hasn’t included ARISS school group contacts in his counts and hopes McArthur will achieve his goals without them. “I hope Bill gets WAS and DXCC from space as well as WAC,” he said. “We won’t know the official results for months after the mission.”

During a brief 2-meter contact November 26 between the US Naval Academy’s W3ADO and NA1SS, McArthur cheered for an Army win in the traditional Army-Navy football game December 3. “Thanks very much for the contact, but I can’t resist,” said McArthur, a US Army officer and veteran. “Go, Army. Beat Navy!” It didn’t help. Navy won this year’s game.

Just before contacting W3ADO, McArthur discussed the crew’s Thanksgiving dinner with ARISS aficionado Al Lark, KD4SFF, in South Carolina, who was operating the Experimenters’ Group Amateur Radio Club’s N4ISS. McArthur reportedly made some three dozen casual contacts during Thanksgiving week, most of them over North America and a few over Europe and New Zealand.

Nine-year-old Mattie Clausen, AE7MC, of Oregon recently enjoyed her third QSO with McArthur, and the two now are on a first-name basis. McArthur made contacts with stations in the US on December 6. He also spoke with stations in Australia, New Zealand and the US on December 11.

McArthur is about halfway through his approximately six-month duty tour aboard the ISS. He and crewmate Valery Tokarev will return to Earth in April.

The NA1SS worldwide voice and packet downlink frequency is 145.800 MHz. In Regions 2 and 3 (the Americas, and the Pacific), the voice uplink is 144.49 MHz. In Region 1 (Europe, Central Asia and Africa), the voice uplink is 145.20 MHz. The worldwide packet uplink is 145.99 MHz.

When NA1SS is in crossband FM repeater mode, the worldwide downlink is 145.80 MHz, and the uplink is 437.80 MHz. All frequencies are subject to Doppler shift. The Science@NASA Web site provides location information for the ISS.

The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program is an international educational outreach with US participation by ARRL, AMSAT and NASA.

Go Army! Beat Navy!!

ISS commander cheers for Army in contact with Naval Academy’s W3ADO (Dec 1, 2005) — During a brief 2-meter contact November 26 between the US Naval Academy’s W3ADO and NA1SS, ISS Expedition 12 Commander Bill McArthur, KC5ACR, cheered for an Army win in the traditional Army-Navy football game December 3. “Thanks very much for the contact, but I can’t resist,” said McArthur, a US Army officer and veteran. “Go, Army. Beat Navy!” At W3ADO Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, said he and some midshipmen were getting ready for a pass of the Academy’s PCSat2, which is attached to the ISS. He took advantage of the quick contact to thank the ISS crew for installing and maintaining PCSat2 and the MISSE5 experiment. McArthur responded, “Gosh, sure appreciate working with you guys. Good luck. Hope it’s a great game on Saturday.” The Academy plans to use PCSat2 to track the Army-Navy game football run from Annapolis to Philadelphia December 2. “Bill caught us by surprise, as it is very rare for them to find time to get on the radio,” Bruninga said afterward. And at the very last possible minute too–just as the ISS was passing east over the Atlantic, he added. McArthur reportedly made a few casual contacts during Thanksgiving week. Just before contacting W3ADO, he worked the Experimenters’ Group Amateur Radio Club’s N4ISS, operated by ARISS aficionado Al Lark, KD4SFF, in South Carolina. “After exchanging signal reports, I asked him what he ate for Thanksgiving,” Lark recounted. McArthur replied: “Al, we had a good Thanksgiving, gosh . . . turkey, corn, mashed potatoes, cranapple for dessert. We ate almost a full day of rations in one meal.” The NA1SS worldwide downlink frequency is 145.800 MHz. The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program is an international educational outreach with US participation by ARRL, AMSAT and NASA.

Been busy with…..

– Tried to contact KD6EUG (at his alternate QTH in Mi-Wuk Village, CA) via EchoLink last night, no luck. I tried on two different EchoLink repeaters: one near Tuolumne (N6EA, 146.115) and another near Modesto (WA6OEC, 441.350).

Going to try again tonight and see if we can make contact.

– I got NOVA for Windows up an working.
“Nova for Windows has become the most popular Windows-based satellite tracking program in the world. In use by NASA, the U.S. Air Force, industry, and thousands of amateur radio operators, Nova sets the standard for excellence.” [It’s a great program.]

I can use NOVA to track amateur radio satellites, the International Space Station, and the Space Shuttle (when it’s up).

– Sparked up the RX-320 this morning and got Radio Sweden (15.240 MHz).

“The year 2005 marks the centenary of the birth of Greta Garbo. One of Sweden’s most famous exports, her name still evokes glamour and mystery.”

“Join Radio Sweden’s Juan Navas for a special half hour program looking at the life and times of one of the world’s biggest stars, Greta Garbo.”
More about Greta Garbo