I think the topic is getting a bit off track. Hopefully this brief background will help clarify.
The radio is very easy to use when it is properly programmed. The crew has crib sheets (procedures) to follow for a properly configured radio. The current status is the radio is NOT properly configured. One of the fault signatures is that the preset memories appear to be non accessible (not much fun doing everything with the VFO only). During the 45 minutes I have with a crew member over a year before their mission, manually configuration of all the specialty modes is not discussed. Given the current state of the radio, I'm not even sure that the radio can support anything other than voice but I am investigating.
Kenneth - N5VHO
________________________________
From: James Dean [mailto:jcdean@sover.net] Sent: Sat 5/5/2007 9:25 PM To: 'Thomas Frey'; Ransom, Kenneth G. (JSC-OC)[BAR] Cc: sarex@AMSAT.Org Subject: RE: [sarex] Re: ISS D700 condition
Kenneth-
A very apropos comment. These astronauts are the most highly trained process individuals. Operating and setting the radio should be a cake walk. I am truly surprised that we make this out to be difficult (and I own a D700). Forget sending a PC (one more thing to breakdown, store, etc.) and let's prepare a crib sheet, coat it with a station-approved laminate, and send it with the next upload. Print it in all languages for the astronauts.
Seems like we are making a truly simple task very complex.
James N0JSR
-----Original Message----- From: sarex-bounces@AMSAT.Org [mailto:sarex-bounces@AMSAT.Org] On Behalf Of Thomas Frey Sent: Saturday, May 05, 2007 1:55 PM To: Ransom, Kenneth G. (JSC-OC)[BAR] Cc: sarex@AMSAT.Org Subject: [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
---- Sent via sarex@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/sarex