Hi!
The big problem is Not the Voice Split frequency on ISS. It is the IARU regional restrictions placed on ISS
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The ISS is the first Amateur Satellite to ever have an IARU regional restriction. The two different voice channels based on Regions were an experiment. Guess what, the experiment failed. We can now learn from this experiment.
The "experiment" failed? I never read that the ISS voice and packet frequencies were experimental. These were the frequencies that could be used around the world, minimizing interference with others on the ground and still allow for useful ham radio activity from the station. Has anyone asked the active crewmembers - most recently, Bill McArthur - for opinions on how the different voice frequencies worked for them while up on the ISS?
In my opinion, success or failure of the ISS frequencies is not based on whether we use a common worldwide frequency pair - or simplex frequency - for voice operations. Without crews interested in using the radio for more than school contacts in the first place, we could set up the ideal configuration but still have no activity from up there. Mir had fewer communications options than the ISS, and ISS has much more for the crews, work-related and for recreational activities. Ham radio is but one of many options the ISS crews have access to. Some will choose to make use of it - like Bill McArthur did, and Pavel Vinogradov currently does on some occasions - and others will not.
It would be nice to have more activity from up there, but that is in the hands of the crews and how they choose to use their free time. Just like with the hams on the ground, who may not choose to use their radios and do other things like Internet, watch movies, etc. I enjoyed making contacts with Bill McArthur, and listening to him make contacts on other occasions during his time on the ISS. Those contacts I made with him are among the high points of my time as a ham. I'd like to hear more of that activity in the future, and we can hope for more of that.
73!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK - Phoenix, Arizona USA http://www.wd9ewk.net/