Les,
1. Working the ISS, or any other satellite where the uplink and downlink are in the same band, is handled by a special version called SATPC32ISS. This is one of the several support programs which come with the main program. See the manual under Auxiliary Programs. Handling these differently is necessary because your rig, like other satellite rigs, is only full duplex when the uplink and downlink are on different bands. On two meters, the Doppler shift is low enough that you can simply tune your radio to the nominal uplink and downlinks. The same for packet. In principle Doppler tuning is better, but many just ignore it, and make contacts. Note that this is NOT true if 70 cm or higher are involved.
2. Packet is on 145.825 MHz. A good source of info on what the ISS is currently doing is here:
There many sites which talk about using software TNC programs such as AGW Packet Engine, MixW, etc. I would suggest looking for the information on using them with APRS, which unless you are in a really remote location, is available 24/7 for testing. Once that is running, switching to the ISS or other packet satellites is relatively easy.
3. Not very often. Various reasons, including the fact that the other modes are very popular.
4. You will need to use the latest Keps. The ISS is frequently reboosted, and so until the Keps catch up, there can be a significant different between the predicted and actual times. Note that the NASA.ALL Keps are only updated weekly, so be certain to use the AMATEUR.TXT which SatPC32 downloads.
73s,
Alan WA4SCA
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Les Rayburn Sent: Monday, May 27, 2013 10:10 AM To: AMSAT Mailing List Subject: [amsat-bb] Help in Hearing ISS
I ran a Google search this morning, and there is still no known cure for "operator error". So I resort to searching for more medicine on the list until a cure can be found. Please give generously until a cure can be found. :-)
Been on satellites for about five weeks now, and have managed to work a few contacts through SO-50, FO-29, AO-7, and VO-52. Have copied CW beacons from other birds including a few of the small Cubesats. The system seems to be working well.
Some bugs had to be worked out along the way, including adjusting Doppler correction on SATPC32, fixing an audio distortion problem, and desense in Mode J.
But despite my best efforts, I've yet to hear a single peep out of the International Space Station. Not just in voice modes, mind you, but I can't seem to find the digipeater signals, or anything else. I'm clearly doing something wrong.
So, here are my questions:
1.) My IC-910H is controlled by SATPC32 in "satellite mode". Simple enough. But when I make the ISS the "active satellite" it stays in V/U mode, and won't easily let me go into simplex mode to work the ISS voice circuits or FM repeater.
Is there a fix for this? How do other IC-910H owners deal with this issue?
2.) What frequency should I be looking for the packet signals on?
I don't have a TNC, but do have a Rigblaster USB Advantage sound card interface. I know it's possible to use this to monitor (and possibly transmit signals to the ISS) Is there a link to a web site explaining how to configure the software, etc. for beginners?
3.) How often is the ISS in FM repeater mode? Not often, I'm guessing. Anyone know why?
4.) Any other tips on working the ISS? It would be quite a thrill for me!
Please pardon the newbie questions. This list is great, and I really appreciate the help.
We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming for smart, capable operators, already in progress.