* ARISS NEWS RELEASE *

*no. 16-12 *

*November 3, 2016 *

*David Jordan, AA4KN*

*ARISS PR*

[email protected]

*ARISS Packet Switched to UHF operation*

*On board the ISS*

Due to the recent failure of the VHF ham radio in the ISS Columbus module, the APRS packet system that operates at 145.825 MHz is not available. To mediate this situation, the crew has activated the ARISS UHF radio that had been in storage on the space station and packet is now operational on the UHF ham band on 437.550 MHz. This radio was installed by licensed ham and crew member Shane

Kimbrough KE5HOD . The packet operation is using the same protocol as with the previous VHF radio. Only the frequency band for operation has changed. Ham operators using the system should adjust for the increased Doppler shift experienced when operating in the UHF ham band.

The ARISS team is currently working on Kenwood D710GA models to replace and unify all amateur radios on board the ISS. Target date for delivery is late 2017.

* About *

* ARISS*

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), and the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or informal education venues. With the help of experienced amateur radio volunteers, ISS crews speak directly with large audiences in a variety of public forums. Before and during these radio contacts, students, teachers, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org, www.amsat.org, and www.arrl.org.

Also, join us on Facebook: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) / Follow us on Twitter: ARISS_status

Contact:

David Jordan, AA4KN

ARISS PR , [email protected]