First QSO via ISS L/v repeater

The ARISS team have reconfigured the Crossband repeater on the International Space Station for a special experiment this week.

Between now and the 3rd of January, they will be a testing the L-Band uplink capability which, to date, has not been proven out.

Essex radio amateur David Barber, G8OQW, who has been trying-out the new operating mode, has sent us details of what may prove to be the first European QSO conducted using this new configuration. 

David writes:
"I believe IW1DTU and IW4DVZ are the first European stations to complete a QSO via the ISS L/v repeater. They accomplished this during the 08.27utc pass this morning, 31 December 2008.

"Monitored here, both stations were good signals if a little choppy at times.

"IW1DTU setup:
TS790 / yagi 55 elements H 1296Mhz 60 W / 7+7 elements VHF

"IW4DVZ setup:
Tx FT 736R + PA output 40 watts. Antennas 2x35 elements linear polarization, manual doppler compensation.
Rx TS 790E Antenna 2x11 elements cross yagi rhcp with SP-2000 preamp.

"Congratulations go to both.

Regards

David G8OQW"

The current ISS uplink frequency is 1269.65 MHz and and the downlink is on the standard frequency 145.80 MHz using low power.

More information
ARISS 25th commemorative event to feature L/V repeater this week

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