Eric van de Weyer schrieb:
Hi Thomas,
Hi Eric
If you never ask you will never get an answer. I also agree with your mail. But without satisfying answers, such discussions will continue ever and ever again. And they do.
There have been many Ham astronauts up there over the years on MIR, the shuttles and now the ISS. Some of them had been hams for a long time, it is their hobby so they were keen to operate in their spare time from orbit. Others obtain their ham ticket mainly for the purpose of conducting the educational school contacts.
When there is a ham up there who has been a ham for years, he probably will get on the air and talk to as many people as possible in his free time. When there isn't, then they probably have other things that interest them to do in their spare time other than playing radio. That is their prerogative and decision. Sure, they can be encouraged to do it but in the end it is up to them. If they decide to do it then we reap the benefit but if they don't, we do not have any right to complain about it. Would you like it if someone came and told you what to do in your leisure time and I'll bet you probably get a lot more of it than they do?
I was lucky enough to be at a school contact a few weeks ago which was held in conjunction with the WIA's Centenary dinner in Canberra, Australia and the best part was to see the faces of the young people who talked to the ISS. That is what it is all about. There were over 200 people in the room and everybody was moved by it.
Just remember that the astronauts who want to make random contacts will because they want to, not because someone asked them to.
I really do get sick of hearing people get on here and complain that the astronauts aren't getting on enough for them. That's not what they're there for.
Climbs down off soapbox!
73....Eric VK2VE.
-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Thomas Frey Sent: Wednesday, 30 June 2010 19:33 To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: [sarex] Re: Ariss casual phone contacts
Dear Charlie
We all have read your message and I agree with it. But you can communicate our desire to the astronauts or you know the way to communicate it. Then you can tell us the result here.
Thank you very much in advance and also for your work done.
[email protected] schrieb:
Hi all,
Let me repeat a message that is sent out with every announcement I make with regards to ARISS activities and upcoming school contacts:
Lately there have been some comments on the various bulletin boards about having general contacts or leaving the packet or crossband repeater on. Remember that ARISS is a guest onboard the ISS and if the crew elects to
not
turn something on or to operate, then that is their decision. ARISS can only suggest; never demand. Like I indicate in my announcements. If the crew member is so inclined, then they get on the radio. As with anything in society, the ISS crew have many different interests and a very heavy work load. Some have been a ham for many years before
going
on orbit and thus may make a random contact; many have had next to no experience playing radio and get on only sporadically. There have been
quite a
few who have gotten their license right before going up so they often times only get on for the scheduled school contacts. If they had not
gotten
their license; then even the school contact list would have suffered as
for
some expeditions there were no scheduled hams going up. We can thank Kenneth N5VHO and the rest of the hams down at JSC for organizing the
classes and
pushing for everyone to have a license. You would not believe the small amount of time the astronauts have for studying and getting their license
as
they are in ISS training right up until they launch. So ARISS does like to thank the astronauts for their very valuable time. For every school contact, the crew is told how to leave the radio configured after the contact. If the crew does not re-configure the
radios for
general usage, then there is not much we can do about it other than to
remind
them. It is possible to have an astronaut visit. Travel expenses must be covered by the group wanting to have an astronaut appear. Check out all
of the
details at:
_http://www.nasa.gov/about/speakers/astronautappearances.html_
(http://www.nasa.gov/about/speakers/astronautappearances.html) 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS mentors
In a message dated 6/29/2010 7:16:11 P.M. Central Daylight Time, [email protected] writes:
Believe it or not... After flying the flag for AMSAT at several recent hamfests, This question came up a lot. Of course I answered that they are
extremely
busy, however, I also said that it was up to the astonauts time off and their personal interest of ham radio. I think the time to get astonauts and cosmonauts interested is before
they
go into space. They have to get the "bug!" They need to be brought to local clubs and introduced to local repeaters and groups that get together at Hamfests for the sake of Ham Radio. They can get an earful and become interested enough to orbit around the world Giving the thrill of speaking to the ISS to the thousands that await a "Casual QSO.!" 73, Dee, NB2F
-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of patrick mcgrane Sent: Saturday, June 26, 2010 11:27 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [sarex] Ariss casual phone contacts
How about letting us know why there are no casual contacts anymore and only rehearsed and choreographed public shows. I read many times about how busy the astronauts are but it is glaringly apparent they have no interest or are refraining from unrehearsed
contacts.
They could at least turn on the cross band repeater. The navy had enough control over the amateur radio with the packet. Frankly, I am personally no longer interested in talking to the
astronauts
but the repeater was a lot of fun. Someone please make it happen.
A mere citizen
pat
Sent via [email protected]. 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
Sent via [email protected]. 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
Sent via [email protected]. 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