Yeah, it sounds like the radio/TNC/Computer end is running. Hopefully some of my comments would prove useful to others thinking of trying ARISS packet.
"converse" command and send something like "Hi from Kelley EN25".
Yes, this will send the UI packet from you with the quoted text.
If I see another station I send something like "Hi W0ABC this is Kelley W0RK". Is this the right format?
Again, yes this is the right format. If W0ABC copies the downlink they will see your message.
I assume that trying to connect to another station isn't the right way?
Technically it should work but is not recommended. This is because your station and the other station will kick into the full AX.25 handshake protocol. If one of the handshake sequences is missed AX.25 will faithfully try, retry, retry, retry to complete the handshake message. It is likely the pass will be over before the handshake sequence is completed and you will have not received the text of the message. The retry'ed handshake messages add as much competition to a UI channel as do the unattended beacons others mentioned this morning.
I've thought I should make myself a SATGATE because there are so few active at present. I tend to leave my station off and disconnected when I'm not operating. I will likely not make my station operate unattended due to stretches of being away from the radio doing things like the Journal or news bulletins.
But when you see packets from me I really am at the keyboard. I'll look for you on upcoming passes.
-- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm@amsat.org Editor, AMSAT Journal