December 2008 - Sarex (INACTIVE)

ARISS event - Technopolis, Mechelen, Antwerpen, Belgium, Sat (Jan 03 at 10:35 UTC
by Ransom, Kenneth G. (JSC-OC)[BAR] 23 Feb '09

23 Feb '09

An International Space Station Expedition 18 ARISS school contact has been planned with participants at Technopolis, Mechelen, Antwerpen, Belgium on 03 Janurary. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 1035 UTC. The contact will be a telebridge between stations NA1SS and VK4KHZ. The contact should be audible over eastern Australia. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. Audio from the contact should also be available via the AMSAT conference on EchoLink and via the 9010 Discovery reflector on IRLP. The participants are expected to conduct the conversation in English. Technopolis® is a permanent platform for science and technology in Mechelen, Flanders, Belgium. The mission of Technopolis® is to bring science and technology to the people. For this purpose Technopolis® offers permanent and temporary exhibitions, organises workshops, school activities and other outreach activities for 4 to 99 years old : a Science Week and Science Festival, an annual exhibition at the Royal Palace in Brussels and many activities for a variety of organisations (governmental, private and educational). Technopolis® is also involved in a broad range of European projects to promote science and technology to a broad audience. The radio contact with ISS will be incorporated in the planning during the Christmas holidays. It will be an extra activity to promote scientific and technical studies to the target group of schoolchildren and students. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. How long could I live in ISS as a boy of 12 years old, without becoming ill? 2. How is it to make a walk in space? 3. Can you still hear the Big Bang? 4. What do you have to do if you have to do pipi in space? 5. Since when are you an astronaut? 6. Do you recycle your garbage or do you throw it outside? 7. How many days do you stay in the ISS? 8. Are you not afraid to fall to earth when you go outside the ISS? 9. How long do you have to study to become an astronaut? 10. How do you spend your free time in a space station? 11. What do you eat? 12. How do you take a bath? 13. When was your first spaceflight and how did you like it? 14. How does the launch of the Space Shuttle feel like? 15. Can you just go outside to fix something? 16. What are your feelings during launch, when you leave the earth? Information about the upcoming ARISS contacts can be found at http://www.ariss.org/upcoming.htm#NextContact <http://www.ariss.org/upcoming.htm#NextContact> . Next planned event(s): Aaxam Jatiya Vidyalaya, Guwahati, India telebridge via W6SRJ, Wed 2009-01-07 07:54 UTC ARISS is an international educational outreach program partnering the participating space agencies, NASA, Russian Space Agency, ESA, CNES, JAXA, and CSA, with the AMSAT and IARU organizations from participating countries. ARISS offers an opportunity for students to experience the excitement of Amateur Radio by talking directly with crewmembers on-board the International Space Station. Teachers, parents and communities see, first hand, how Amateur Radio and crewmembers on ISS can energize youngsters' interest in science, technology, and learning. Further information on the ARISS program is available on the website http://www.ariss.org/ <http://www.ariss.org/> (graciously hosted by the Radio Amateurs of Canada). Thank you & 73, Kenneth - N5VHO

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Re: [amsat-bb] Congrats on ISS contact
by Alan P. Biddle 31 Dec '08

31 Dec '08

Rick, Witty conversationalist that I am, it was good to work another station. :) Drew came in near his TCA, dropped out for a minute, and then came back just before my LOS. In both cases, the limiting factor seemed to be breaking the squelch. As the ISS moved away, I had a good shot at the earth facing antenna, and had to slowly ramp up the TX power as the range increased. I could actually get in almost to my LOS due to a clean local horizon here, but the power to the brick amp was approaching the "Danger Will Robinson!" level. I am wondering if they could experiment with opening the squelch up a bit? I understand the cooling issues, but expect there may be less spurious signals on mode L than the normal frequencies. FWIW, pass was AOS at 295 degrees azimuth, 18 degrees elevation, and LOS at azimuth 140 degrees, 12 degrees elevation. I suspect in both cases power limited. Alan WA4SCA PS Thanks to all for the receptions reports from listeners. They have been highly encouraging and helpful!

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ISS L / v Repeater 08.27utc UK / Europe Pass
by David Barber 31 Dec '08

31 Dec '08

ISS L / v Repeater 08.27utc UK / Europe Pass. Too low for my Tx antenna this pass but heard my first stations via the repeater. Congratulations to IW4DVZ and IW1DTU both good signals. I have a recording. If either station wants a copy please let me know. David G8OQW

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ISS L / v Repeater 06.56utc UK / Europe Pass and Thank You.
by David Barber 31 Dec '08

31 Dec '08

My last viable pass of the day and year! Not able to access the repeater this time over. Elevation and direction were marginal for me anyway. No other stations heard. Good luck to all, have a happy New Years Eve, peaceful New Year and thanks to all those who have passed on information over the last year. And finally, a special thanks to Kenneth, Frank and all the ARISS team, not forgetting the Astronauts, for making the end of 2008 one to remember. It has been much enjoyed and appreciated. Long may it continue. Best regards. David G8OQW.

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ISS L / v Repeater 05.16utc UK / Europe Pass
by David Barber 31 Dec '08

31 Dec '08

Repeater active for 05.16utc UK / Europe Pass. A better pass for me this time, directly overhead and consequently a little longer access time. Downlink recorded. No other stations heard. David G8OQW.

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ISS L / v Repeater 03.41utc UK / Europe Pass
by David Barber 31 Dec '08

31 Dec '08

Repeater active for 03.41utc UK / Europe Pass. At 60dg elevation 180dg az. I just made it in but very briefly and with a very scratchy signal. Downlink recorded. Equipment: Icom 910, horizontal 19el yagi on a tripod mount on my patio. David G8OQW.

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ISS L / v Repeater 06.25utc UK / Europe Pass
by David Barber 30 Dec '08

30 Dec '08

06.25utc UK / Europe pass. Nothing heard and unable to access L / v repeater. No activity on other frequencies. David G8OQW

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ISS L / v Repeater 04.49utc UK / Europe Pass
by David Barber 30 Dec '08

30 Dec '08

04.49utc UK / Europe pass. Nothing heard and unable to access L / v repeater. David G8OQW

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Mike Fincke voice contacts over Brasil (at 28-Dec-2008).
by Cor 29 Dec '08

29 Dec '08

Hello All, At 28 Dec. US astronaut Mike Fincke (NA1SS) spoke with several amateur radio operators (from Brasil) via the ISS V/U crossband repeater. An audio recording is on my website (thanks to PY4MAB for sending me). 73's Cor PD0RKC http://iss.ontwikkel.nl

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ISS L / V Active 07.30utc UK / Europe Pass
by David Barber 29 Dec '08

29 Dec '08

Active again this pass. 07.30utc UK / Europe. Managed to access the repeater briefly for the second time at an elevation of approx 45dg. No other stations heard. Good luck to all who try. Regards David G8OQW

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2008-12-29 ARISS Status
by Carol Jackson 29 Dec '08

29 Dec '08

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Status Report December 29, 2008 1. Upcoming School Contacts An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact has been scheduled with Technopolis in Mechelen, Belgium on Saturday, January 3 at 10:35 UTC via telebridge station VK4KHZ in Australia. The mission of Technopolis is to bring science and technology to the public. The center has permanent and temporary exhibits and organizes workshops, school activities and other outreach activities. The ARISS contact will be open to all school children 6 -18 years of age and will be supported through a workshop, lecture or science show. Aaxam Jatiya Vidyalaya in Guwahati, India has been scheduled for an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Wednesday, January 7 at 07:54 UTC via telebridge station W6SRJ in California. Approximately 1300 students are enrolled at the school. All students are taught in Assamese with English taught as a compulsory second language. 2. Michigan Museum Contact Successful Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum in Ann Arbor, Michigan participated in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Saturday, December 27. Approximately 100 people witnessed the contact as 13 students posed one question each to Mike Fincke, KE5AIT. The audio was fed into the EchoLink AMSAT and JK1ZRW servers and received 15 connections from 8 countries. Three newspapers sent reporters to cover the event. The Ann Arbor News posted an article to its Web site. See: http://www.mlive.com/annarbor/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-30/1230450021247… To view the Ann Arbor Chronicle story, go to: http://annarborchronicle.com/2008/12/27/to-infinity-and-beyond/ 3. Spaceflight Participants Interviewed Technology Review interviewed the ISS spaceflight participants. The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) equipment is mentioned. Go to: http://www.technologyreview.com/communications/21808/?a=f 4. AMSAT Report Posted The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) held its 2008 Annual Meeting and Space Symposium in Atlanta, Georgia in October. The president's State of AMSAT report includes a status on SuitSat-2. The report has been posted to the AMSAT Web site. See: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/pdfs/2008_Annual_Meeting/2008-10-25_WD4ASW_A…

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ISS L / V Active 05.58utc UK / Europe Pass
by David Barber 29 Dec '08

29 Dec '08

The L / V repeater was active during the 05.58utc pass over UK / Europe this morning. Heard and recorded my own signals as it passed overhead. No one else on. Icom IC-910 via 3m of RG58U (don't laugh!) to a 19 element horizontal yagi mounted on az/el rotator on my patio. Manual control of rotator and Doppler. All a bit crude I know but it worked! Good luck to all. Regards David G8OQW

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ISS V/U repeater active, and audio recording ISS rep. on Japan.
by Cor 28 Dec '08

28 Dec '08

Hello All, This morning I worked only a few stations via the ISS V/U crossband repeater. Probably many people are not aware that it is active now. TX Uplink: 145.990Mhz FM (with 67hz tone!!!). RX Downlink: 437.800Mhz FM (adjust doppler few khz up and down). Renember this V/U mode is not useal and was sceduled for this 25 years ham radio in space event (for December 2008). I have received an audio recording from JA0CAW with ISS V/U repeater on Japan. I have posted the audio recording on my website. Good luck (to all) if you trie. 73's Cor PD0RKC http://iss.ontwikkel.nl

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ISS cross band
by Darren VK1HFC 27 Dec '08

27 Dec '08

Hello to all. Yesterday i posted to say that i heard the crossband repeater active some other hams pointed out to me, that the ISS was active on packet at the same time. i also noticed that my signal report was removed from issfanclub.comovernight. There was another late night pass that i could prob have worked, but it was during my sleep time :) so i didnt try then. I have just tried again now, and found it to be active. 0640hr utc pass over VK1. so what is the story?? i could hear myself.......... but only when the ISS came into view... so it wasnt an operator error. I understand that this mode is experimental, with 145.99 uplink and 437.800 downlink. This mode seems nice, as i dont need high power or big antennas to get in. Can the equipment on board support both modes at the same time? And is anyone interested in trying a qso with me on future passes? next pass is low elevation for me (approx 15deg) so should be workable for a little bit. due at 0820hrs UTC (thereabouts) nothing much else usable till tommorrow, and i read Kenneth's notes about the EVA, so it might be off soon anyway. thank you all in advance. Darren VK1HFC

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2008-12-27 17:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 27 Dec '08

27 Dec '08

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2008-12-27 17:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, Ann Arbor, Michigan, direct via WA2HOM Contact was successful: Sat 2008-12-27 15:59 UTC 21 deg (***) Technopolis, Mechelen, Antwerpen, Belgium, telebridge via VK4KHZ Contact is a go for: Sat 2009-01-03 10:35 UTC 76 deg Aaxam Jatiya Vidyalaya, Guwahati, India telebridge via W6SRJ Contact is a go for: Wed 2009-01-07 07:54 UTC 22 deg Crossband repeater and packet have been active! Don’t forget to do Doppler correction for the crossband repeater! Don’t forget the keyword here is Repeater. Repeaters have the FM capture effect. Strongest into the machine wins momentarily. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 396. (***) **************One site keeps you connected to all your email: AOL Mail, Gmail, and Yahoo Mail. Try it now. (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&icid=aolcom40vanity&ncid=emlcntaolcom00000…)

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2008-12-25 20:30 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 25 Dec '08

25 Dec '08

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2008-12-25 20:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, Ann Arbor, Michigan, direct via WA2HOM Contact is a go for: Sat 2008-12-27 15:59 UTC 21 deg Technopolis, Mechelen, Antwerpen, Belgium, telebridge via VK4KHZ Contact is a go for: Sat 2009-01-03 10:35 UTC 76 deg Aaxam Jatiya Vidyalaya, Guwahati, India telebridge via W6SRJ (***) Contact is a go for: Wed 2009-01-07 07:54 UTC 22 deg (***) Crossband repeater and packet have been active! Don’t forget to do Doppler correction for the crossband repeater! Don’t forget the keyword here is Repeater. Repeaters have the FM capture effect. Strongest into the machine wins momentarily. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 395. Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 14. QSL information may be found at: http://www.arrl.org/ARISS/arissfaq.html http://www.rac.ca/ariss/oindex.htm#QSL's ISS callsigns: DP0ISS, NA1SS, OR4ISS, RS0ISS ***************************************************************************** The complete schedule page has been updated as of 2008-12-22 19:30 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt The successful school list has been updated as of 2008-12-18 18:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correctio… tf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf ***************************************************************************** There have been rumors in the past indicating that the ISS was having direct contacts on the 40 meter band. There is no HF radio equipment on board and available yet. The HF antenna is mounted. Sometimes WA3NAN will retransmit shuttle audio. ***************************************************************************** Exp. 18 on orbit: Michael Fincke KE5AIT Yury Lonchakov RA3DT Sandra Magnus KE5FYE ***************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors **************One site keeps you connected to all your email: AOL Mail, Gmail, and Yahoo Mail. Try it now. (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&icid=aolcom40vanity&ncid=emlcntaolcom00000…)

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Santa-llite Tracking
by David Barber 24 Dec '08

24 Dec '08

And one for Christmas: http://www.noradsanta.org/ Enjoy the festive season and thanks to all that make the ARISS project and the various Satellites possible. Regards David G8OQW

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Happy Holidays and Thanks!
by Frank H. Bauer 24 Dec '08

24 Dec '08

All, This e-mail was sent to the ARISS volunteer team. On behalf of the ARISS International Team I wish you all a very happy holiday season. 73, Frank Bauer, KA3HDO -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS Team Members, I want to wish each of you a very happy holidays, Merry Christmas, and a happy and prosperous New Year. This past year has been incredible for ARISS, filled with outstanding new opportunities and a lifetime of memories for all--> school children, educators, the general public, ham radio operators and the on-orbit crews. As we look back on this past year, we continue to be thankful for the support of the on-orbit crew members who volunteer their precious personal time to operate the ham radio system for us. And we thank each one of you---the ARISS volunteers---for your outstanding support to the program. This program would not be possible without the phenomenal hardware development and operations support provided by this internationally-based ARISS team of volunteers. While we are called radio Amateurs, you are definitely PROFESSIONALS in my book. Let's continue our efforts to instill inspiration and interest in space exploration and ham radio..through the excellence we bring to our efforts and our interactions with ham radio operators and the general public. Thank you all. 73, Frank Bauer, KA3HDO ARISS International Chairman

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ISS - All Quiet
by David Barber 24 Dec '08

24 Dec '08

No activity on any passes over UK / Europe today, 24 December 2008. David G8OQW

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ARISS event - Scuola Media Statale Donato Forlani, Conversano, Italy, Tue (Oct 07) at 11:29UTC
by Ransom, Kenneth G. (JSC-OC)[BAR] 23 Dec '08

23 Dec '08

An International Space Station Expedition 17 ARISS school contact has been planned with participants at Scuola Media Statale Donato Forlani, Conversano, Italy on 07 October. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 1129 UTC. The contact will be a direct contact between stations OR4ISS and IZ7MKW. The contact should be audible over Europe. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The participants are expected to conduct the conversation in English. The Scuola media D. Forlani is a middle school in the suburb of Conversano, a small town located 30km from Bari in South-east Italy The school has 30 classrooms and various laboratories, including an astronomy lab. About 250 pupils attend the school, aged from 11 to 14. Extracurricular activities include English conversation, sport, theatre, the environment and other research activities. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. What is the most ambitious spatial project for the future? 2. What do you see at the moment when you are looking outside the ISS? 3. How does it feel to be in space? 4. Is it difficult to get used to zero gravity? 5. What do you think about extraterrestrial life in the universe? 6. How many years ago did you start your career as astronaut? 7. What studies are necessary to become an astronaut? 8. Where does the electric power come from on board the ISS? 9. Was it your childhood dream to become an astronaut? 10. At what age did you discover your passion for space? 11. What do you miss most from Earth during the mission? 12. How long can a human being stay in orbit without any physical problems? 13. What happens if an astronaut gets seriously ill in space? 14. What do you think about future projects of living on the moon? 15. What systems do you use for the communication to the Earth? 16. Is there any danger for the ISS module to be hit by Space debris? 17. How are the daily astronauts´ duties organized on board the ISS? 18. What kind of optical instruments have you on board to watch the space? 19. What are the main scientific experiments during Expedition 17? 20. What are the minimum and maximum temperatures inside and outside the ISS? Information about the upcoming ARISS contacts can be found at http://www.ariss.org/upcoming.htm#NextContact . Next planned event(s): Colombia Mission Project at Buchanan High School, CA via NN1SS, Sat 2008-10-11 16:10 UTC ARISS is an international educational outreach program partnering the participating space agencies, NASA, Russian Space Agency, ESA, CNES, JAXA, and CSA, with the AMSAT and IARU organizations from participating countries. ARISS offers an opportunity for students to experience the excitement of Amateur Radio by talking directly with crewmembers on-board the International Space Station. Teachers, parents and communities see, first hand, how Amateur Radio and crewmembers on ISS can energize youngsters' interest in science, technology, and learning. Further information on the ARISS program is available on the website http://www.ariss.org/ (graciously hosted by the Radio Amateurs of Canada). Thank you & 73, Kenneth - N5VHO

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ISS active on 143.625
by andy thomas 23 Dec '08

23 Dec '08

ISS heard on 143.625. Equipment clunking sounds, Commander and one other exchainging in Russian "Da? " "Da!", Harasho!, Rabotet etc., , and another voice in background as if patched through. Sounds like the're using VHF-1 as a composite return downlink to Russian ground control from the space walk. email me off the list if you want a copy, 55 seconds in WAV format. g0sfj AT amsat DOT org 73 de andy g0SFJ

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Re: Doppler correction
by andy thomas 23 Dec '08

23 Dec '08

I thought that you should tx low, not high, at the beginning of the pass, and high, not low, towards LOS? I'm not on 1.2 yet but I'm sure that when I hear on 2 and 70cms the bird is high at AOS, and although I'm not sure it's necessary, the auto corrector in HRD txs low at AOS. andy G0SFJ

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2008-12-22 19:30 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 22 Dec '08

22 Dec '08

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2008-12-22 19:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, Ann Arbor, Michigan, direct via WA2HOM Contact is a go for: Sat 2008-12-27 15:59 UTC 21 deg (***) Technopolis, Mechelen, Antwerpen, Belgium, telebridge via VK4KHZ (***) Contact is a go for: Sat 2009-01-03 10:35 UTC 76 deg (***) Crossband repeater and packet have been active! Don’t forget to do Doppler correction for the crossband repeater! Don’t forget the keyword here is Repeater. Repeaters have the FM capture effect. Strongest into the machine wins momentarily. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 395. Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 14. QSL information may be found at: http://www.arrl.org/ARISS/arissfaq.html http://www.rac.ca/ariss/oindex.htm#QSL's ISS callsigns: DP0ISS, NA1SS, OR4ISS, RS0ISS ***************************************************************************** The complete schedule page has been updated as of 2008-12-22 19:30 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt The successful school list has been updated as of 2008-12-18 18:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correctio… tf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf ***************************************************************************** There have been rumors in the past indicating that the ISS was having direct contacts on the 40 meter band. There is no HF radio equipment on board and available yet. The HF antenna is mounted. Sometimes WA3NAN will retransmit shuttle audio. ***************************************************************************** Exp. 18 on orbit: Michael Fincke KE5AIT Yury Lonchakov RA3DT Sandra Magnus KE5FYE ***************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors **************One site keeps you connected to all your email: AOL Mail, Gmail, and Yahoo Mail. Try it now. (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&icid=aolcom40vanity&ncid=emlcntaolcom00000…)

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ISS EVA Coming UP
by David Barber 22 Dec '08

22 Dec '08

Don't forget, EVA coming up. David G8OQW

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Computer control of ICOM 1271A?
by Greg D. 22 Dec '08

22 Dec '08

Hi folks, I'm pretty sure the answer is no, but I'll ask anyway... Has anyone succeeded in interfacing an ICOM 1271A 23cm transceiver to a computer for Doppler control? In preparation for the ISS L-band uplink, I maybe have barely enough uplink power to get in, but it will need to be right at mid-point on an overhead pass. That's when Doppler shift is the worst. I have been able to keep up with Doppler on AO-51 L/U by hand (while watching the computer prediction screen), so direct computer control isn't critical, but it seems like a good next step in station automation, if it's possible. The only interface I can imagine is to simulate mike up/down clicks through a parallel port. I am currently running a home-brew client for Predict under Linux, which spits out CAT strings to my Yaesu 736R via a serial port. So, mike-clicks will be a good bit of a re-write. I guess the only other alternative is some sort of swap of 1271 for a 23cm Yaesu module... Any takers (or is this a bad idea)? Greg KO6TH _________________________________________________________________ Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass. http://windowslive.com/Explore/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_anywhe…

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