Slow Scan TV on the International Space Station

As reported recently, 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 to prove that the basic SSTV configuration has been set up
correctly. The SSTV system was then shut down until the crew can spend more time to finalize the cable connections and configure the system for Slide Show mode.

The slide show mode will allow 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 SSTV configuration parameters are now ready to be uploaded to the ISS. The next phase of testing may use the frequency 145.800 MHz FM for the SSTV down link. Radio Amateurs should also check the testing frequency of 144.490 in case it remains active. The Slide Show mode will only be testing these downlink frequencies. The uplink frequency
will not be published.

We all await SSTV to become a regular part of Ham Radio on the ISS.

Miles, WF1F

• Chelmsford ARS member receives ISS SSTV pictures

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