Slow Scan TV on ISS update
By Miles Mann WF1F
Hi everyone.
Last Friday and Saturday ISS Expedition 13 Commander Pavel Vinogradov
RV3BS activated the SSTV project for few orbits from the International
Space Station.
Pavel sent several manual test images from ISS to Earth.
The testing proved that he had the entire basic configuration set up correctly.
The SSTV system was then shut down until he can spend more time to finalize
the cables connections and configure the system for Slide Show mode.
The Marex SpaceCam1 software contains a feature called
“Slide Show” mode. It allows the crew to preload a directory
full of images that will be automatically transmitted to Earth. The crew
will not need to keep pushing a button to send images. In theory the system
can run for weeks at a time without crew involvement.
On Tuesday the ARISS and MAREX teams worked together to review and agree
upon the best settings for the next phase of testing which should include
the “Slide Show” mode. The SSTV configuration parameters were
then sent to ARISS in Moscow to be uploaded to Pavel on ISS.
The next phase of testing may use the frequency 145.800 MHz FM for the
SSTV down link. You should also check 144.490 just in case. The Slide
Show mode will only be testing the Down link. The uplink frequency will
not be published.
SpaceCam1:
The SpaceCam project will be able to transmit over 400 SSTV images per
day (Robot 36 format).
How to Decode SSTV from Space:
http://www.marexmg.org/fileshtml/howtouseiss.html
All SSTV transmissions will be in FM mode and will most likely be on the
2-meter band. This means that the Doppler frequency drift will not be
much of a problem and you will be able to use your existing 2-meter station
or a police scanner to hear and decode the signals from ISS.
If you have already have been successful in working the Packet station
or talked to the ISS crew on 2-meter voice, than you already have most
of what you need.
What’s left is to connect your computer to the speaker
of your radio and some SSTV decoding software, such as
ChromaPix or similar software.
http://www.barberdsp.com/
There are many choices in SSTV software, some free, others with more
features cost a few bucks.
http://www.marexmg.org/fileshtml/sstvlinkpage.html
So have fun, find your best setup and start practicing
how to decode SSTV on 2-meters.
Location of Hardware on ISS
This link will show you images of some of the amateur
radio hardware already installed on ISS
http://www.marexmg.org/fileshtml/radiohardware.html
Marexmg Web page
http://www.marexmg.org
73 Miles WF1F
MAREX-MG
Until we meet again
DOSVIDANIYA
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