[Bill Weir]

This is very cool and I'm sure will be of interest to any here and I know there is at least one who do Ham Radio. This message was posted today to the Victoria RASC list server. One of our group who is a hardcore Ham managed to contact and speak to someone on the ISS. Here is his message.

"I am so excited to announce that I was able to finally make contact with the International Space Station after 20 years of trying. I spoke with Col. Doug Weelock, KF5BOC as NA1ISS on the ISS while traveling in the car downtown on two successful concurrent orbits. What fun and so amazing.
It was an exhilarating experience.


Those with scanners may like to listen to 145.800 Mhz for communications coming down from
the ISS. You can use the online prediction website www.heavens-above.com . Those with ham radio privileges and I know a number of Victoria RASC members that do the transmit frequency is 144.49 MHz. There is a very good chance you will have the same opportunity as I did."

Neat-o EH?

Bill

This post has been edited by Bill Weir: 20 July 2010 - 10:41 PM

[Brian]

Ive been trying bag NA1SS for some time now.Whatmakes it hard is there is only a small window to make contact.You have to hope someone is on and you have to try through the other ham traffic as well.One day I'll get it. AC2AJ

[Zeldaman2004]

That is really neat. Does the ISS have a ham radio on board or is another piece of equipment picking up the ham signals too?

[Smalldob]

That's cool - my FIL has a scanner we'll have to give it a try

[Bill Weir]

I see that Doug Weelock has a call # so I guess he is a ham guy. Malcolm said that he has been very active transmitting so Brian I suggest you figure out the pass times for your area and give it a go.

Bill

[Brian]

jeremy the iss has a few ham radios on board.most of the diferent crew members are licensed ham operators.its something forthem to do also.they do alot of school broadcasts.the kids love it.

[Zeldaman2004]

That's pretty awesome, maybe bringing 1 of your guys hams to the BFSP if there would be any day time passes would be an idea? That'd be so awesome to talk to the ISS.

[Bill Weir]

He just sent out another email and it contains this info to help decide how to pick up the ISS transmitions.

"The simplest way to confirm what modethey are using is to visit www.issfanclub.com There is current information there as well as a forum for the latest contacts made. There are many different modesthat ISS communicates to Hams in to the ground. It can be either, Packet, Repeater or direct voice."

Bill

[Brian]

Jeremy I thought of bringing my ham equiptment but I really have the room for it all.

[Zeldaman2004]

That'd be fun to try during the day, but I hear you on having enough room. I'll have the 13" dob and my imaging setup. I'll be full.