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, morsesat@optonline.net 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: sarex-bounces@AMSAT.Org [mailto:sarex-bounces@AMSAT.Org] On Behalf Of patrick mcgrane Sent: Saturday, June 26, 2010 11:27 PM To: sarex@AMSAT.Org 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
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---- 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