ISS SSTV - best image received so far
By Miles Mann WF1F
On July 30 ISS Expedition 13 Commander Pavel Vinogradov, RV3BS, activated
the SSTV project for a 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.
Our thanks to the many stations who received and decoded the test images.
SSTV Images from ISS were received in many countries, including Russia,
United Kingdom, Brazil and many more. Below is a link to one of the best
images we received.
Ted--G6HMS
United Kingdom
receiver--Yaesu FT-480R
Antenna--10XY 2 Metre With Polarphaser
Software--MMSSTV ver.1.11G
Elevation --12.Degrees AZ=220 Degrees
www.marexmg.org Best Image
During the testing phase the ISS Slow Scan TV system may be intermittingly
transmitting somewhere in the ITU approved 2-meter satellite band (144.000
– 146.000 MHz FM). After testing is completed the system will eventually
be moved to a permanent frequency in the 2-meter ITU Satellite band. One
of the quirks we discovered during testing was that the desired public
frequency pair for SSTV was not accessible from the SSTV mode. A new procedure
will need to be developed to program in a new frequency pair into the
Kenwood D700 transceiver for the SSTV mode.
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. Due to crew work loads and a recent space walk we
are not sure when Pavel will have time for additional testing.
Over the next few weeks we maybe receiving images from
the International Space station via Slow Scan TV (SSTV). The Marex team
will be collecting these images from the amateur Radio and SWL community
and we will post the best.
We would like to collect all images received. However in order to properly
catalog the images we request you use the following image naming format.
After you receive your images, please rename the images
using the following format, All Lower case letters.
Year 2006, Month 07, Day31, z, (UTC time), Call sign,
Short text description, .JPG
Example
20060731z1905wf1fwindowshot.jpg
If we break this down
Year =2006
Month = 07
Day = 31
Z = spacer to help find time
Time = 1905 UTC
Call sign = wf1f
Description = Windows shot
Image format = jpg
Image Quality
Please do not put a lot of text over lays on the images, Example, do not
put web page or advertisements in the image. Your own call sign and date
are acceptable.
Send all images directly to Marex at
Marexmg@comcast.net
We would also like to know the following information in your email.
Name or Call sign
Country / State
Receiver
Software decoding tool
Elevation or range of ISS when you decoded the image.
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.
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 chase. 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.
Marexmg Web page
http://www.marexmg.org
73 Miles WF1F
MAREX-MG
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