- Sarex (INACTIVE) - mailman.amsat.org

Active- ISS L / v Repeater 02.59utc UK / Europe Pass
by David Barber 02 Jan '09

02 Jan '09

Repeater active for 02.59utc UK / Europe Pass. Poor access time, squelch setting seems higher. Only solid signal got through today where as yesterday access was maintained with a much weaker / scratchy signal into the box. No other stations heard. David G8OQW

1 0

ARISS Update--25th Anniversary of Ham Radio in Space--Jan 1, 2009
by Frank H. Bauer 01 Jan '09

01 Jan '09

All, Happy New Year!! The ARISS team hopes you are all enjoying the diverse amateur radio opportunities that have occurred on the ISS over the past several weeks. We want to thank Mike Fincke, KE5AIT, for his outstanding support to the ISS Ham Radio community. His efforts have been phenomenal! This e-mail provides an update of the ARISS special event opportunities for the next two weeks. As previously mentioned, the ARISS team is currently celebrating 25 years of amateur radio operations from space. This past week, the ISS Ham radio system was configured in the L/V crossband repeater mode. This configuration will continue through to Saturday when a school contact is scheduled around 10:35 UTC. After the school contact on Saturday January 3, it is our plans to have Mike Fincke reconfigure the radio to support V/U crossband repeater operations. As a reminder, that configuration has a 145.99 MHz uplink frequency including PL tone of 67.0 and a 437.80 MHz downlink frequency. All repeater operations are being performed in low power (5 W) mode. It is our intent to keep the repeater active in this configuration for 2 weeks (through January 17). We are also considering follow-on experimental operations of the 9600 baud packet radio system and the L/V crossband repeater. Stay tuned for future updates. As a reminder, a special certificate is being developed for those who communicate with the ISS. This certificate will be awarded to those that have had 2 way communications with the ISS on Voice, Packet (APRS), or through the voice repeater. And those that have heard the ISS from space in any of the ARISS operations modes (Voice, SSTV, School Contact, Voice Repeater, Digital). Valid dates to qualify for certificate: November 30 to January 15. To receive the certificate: A) Please note on your QSL the ARISS mode of operation (e.g. SSTV, voice, school, etc) and whether the contact with you was 1 way (receive only) or 2 way. B) Send your SASE to the normal ARISS QSL volunteer distributor in your area of the world. C) On the outside of the QSL envelope, please include the words "25th Anniversary Certificate" D) Make sure your envelope is big enough to accept an 8.5 by 11 inch certificate and includes the proper postage. E) Go to www.ariss.org if you do not know where to send your QSL and please use one of the standard international QSL distributors that are noted on the Web page. Important note: We will be sending your certificate to the volunteer distributors in bulk AFTER the event is over. (This saves workload and money). So do not expect to see it until 1-2 months after the event closes on January 15. We would like to remind everyone that ISS flight requirements related to EVA and vehicle activity may require the radio to be off for some portion of this schedule. And school contacts and general QSO opportunities by the crew will also preempt this schedule for short periods of time. (But remember that if you hear these, you still qualify for a commemorative certificate). Continue to enjoy the ARISS ops on ISS in 2009! 73, Frank Bauer, KA3HDO AMSAT-NA V.P. for Human Spaceflight Programs ARISS International Chairman

1 0

Active- ISS L / v Repeater 07.18utc UK / Europe Pass
by David Barber 01 Jan '09

01 Jan '09

Repeater active for 07.18utc UK / Europe Pass. Max 20dg elevation here so too low for Tx antenna. Excellent signal via repeater from IW4DVZ calling CQ. No other stations heard. Recorded downlink. David G8OQW

1 0

Active- ISS L / v Repeater 05.43utc UK / Europe Pass
by David Barber 01 Jan '09

01 Jan '09

Repeater active for 05.43utc UK / Europe Pass. Excellent pass, accessed repeater at best range yet, 750Km still using only 170w max ERP from tripod mounted 19 el horizontal yagi. Held repeater much longer than has previously been achieved. No other stations heard. Recorded downlink. David G8OQW

1 0

Active- ISS L / v Repeater 04.07utc UK / Europe Pass
by David Barber 01 Jan '09

01 Jan '09

Repeater active for 04.07utc UK / Europe Pass. No other stations heard. David G8OQW

1 0

Looking for some help...
by Geoffrey Way 31 Dec '08

31 Dec '08

Hi, this is Geoff KA1IOR. I have acquired a tracking automation interface from a small producer of kits, Fox Delta, an ST-1. I have a Yaesu G-5600B az/el rotor and wish to hear suggestions/comments on getting the interface going with my setup. Does anyone in the group have this interface? -- Geoffrey Way websites: http://www.cape-vision.com/wayg/mrep http://www.cape-vision.com/wayg/ka1ior

1 0

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!

1 0

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

1 0

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.

1 0

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.

1 0