Sounds like the Russian VHF comm. system which has a multi polarity antenna array. They may have locked the PTT in anticipation of a ground pass over Moscow and you were hearing background noise from within the ISS.
Kenneth - N5VHO
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Henk, PA3GUO Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2008 6:02 AM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] ISS: 143.625 downlink 2x (also by D700 ??):
To whom this may concern (Kenneth N5VHO ?):
Thursday 10:45utc pass over Europe:
With the very latest keps I monitored both 145.800 and 143.625. Late in the pass, a carrier appeared on 143.625. Also I heared now and then voice from another source (distorted) through that. Initially I believed this was a local station transmitting on 143.625.
But: switching between HOR/VER/LHCP/RHCP gave exactly the same ratio of that carrier versus the voice/other signal... they must have identical polarization: too much coincidence to me.
Then: the carrier faded down fast in the last 2 degrees elevation, like the ISS 145.800 also always does: the carrier must have come from ISS: I guess the D700 also has 143.625 programmed ?
Conclusion: I suspect that maybe the Kenwood D700 onboard was transmitting on 143.625 and at the same time the astronauts tried via the other radio to reach Moscow (like they do every day). Most likely Moscow also could not hear the 2nd radio, as the carrier was strongest.
Henk, PA3GUO The Netherlands
_______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb