When the radios are properly configured, it takes very little time to setup and reduces the chance of human error. They just press a couple of buttons and select the necessary channel. Most crew members are trained as "users" which means they get minimal training on the hardware. Only a few have taken the time to understand the full capabilities of the amateur radio hardware. To manually configure the Kenwood radio for other operations would require significantly more crew time to execute and (as already demonstrated) they can input the wrong frequencies. You can understand how very hard it is to have a contact when both parties are not using the same set of frequencies.
Your idea to fly a computer with a simplified interface to a new radio system has some merit (Phase III plans called for such a system to be in the now defunct habitat module). Retrofitting an existing module to support the system might be possible if space is available. Building our own module to replace the habitat module might also work but that is expensive plus all the Shuttles are booked until 2010 so we would have to find another way to get it up there. Either way, the system would need strong financial support to build, certify and fly.
Speaking of building, the internal system for the Columbus module is still in the development phase so feel free to make your donations and your suggestions for the planned L/s system known now. http://www.ariss-eu.org/columbus.htm
Kenneth - N5VHO
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From: Thomas Frey [mailto:th.frey@tiscalinet.ch] Sent: Sat 5/5/2007 12:55 PM To: Ransom, Kenneth G. (JSC-OC)[BAR] Cc: sarex@AMSAT.Org Subject: Re: [sarex] Re: ISS D700 condition
Ransom, Kenneth G. (JSC-OC)[BAR] schrieb:
The radio might be able to be operated in packet by setting everything up manually but that is very time intensive for the crew (I'm guessing it would be about 30 steps) and it would have to be done before and after every school contact. Manually changing all those settings greatly increases the likelihood of having a school contact fail due to human error.
Kenneth - N5VHO
And how was it before the "human error" ? I'm wondering why an astronaut can not handle an amateur transceiver. If the user interface is too complicate it would be a good idea to give him a dedicated notebook so he can click in a menu for Packet, school contact, repeater, SSTV aso. If this problem is not solved, it is fruitless to discuss about new modes. My 2 cents about this theme.
Mit freundlichen Grüssen, Regards, 73 Thomas Frey, HB9SKA ______________________________________________________________________
Thomas Frey, Holzgasse 2, CH-5242 Birr, Tel. + Fax: 056 444 93 41 http://home.datacomm.ch/th.frey/ Packet Radio (AX.25): HB9SKA @ HB9PD.CHE.EU