ISS crew schedule too tight
for casual hamming
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) says the ISS
Expedition 9 crew of Mike Fincke, KE5AIT, and Gennady Padalka, RN3DT,
has very limited time to pursue casual hamming from space.
"The ARISS program is fortunate to have another all-ham crew that
is very enthusiastic about talking to ground-based Amateur Radio operators,"
said ARISS spokesperson Scott Stevens, N3ASA.
"The ARISS team wants to remind everyone that the crew is on a strict
schedule, so the best time frame to try contacting them is between 0800
and 1900 UTC."
Chances are even better during weekends, he added.
Fincke and Padalka both got on the air - from NA1SS and RS0ISS, respectively
- during ARRL Field Day in June, making some 60 contacts. Fincke has also
made some casual QSOs.
The ISS worldwide downlink frequency is 145.80 MHz.
The FM voice uplink is 144.49 MHz in ITU Region 2 (which includes
the Americas) and Region 3 (South Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Oceania),
and it's 145.200 MHz for
Region 1 (Europe, the Middle East, Africa and North Asia.).
July 19 marked the midpoint of the Expedition 9 crew's six-month stay
aboard the ISS. Fincke and Padalka are set to return to Earth on October
19.
Now preparing for an August 3 space walk, the crew this week packed un-needed
equipment and trash into the Progress supply vehicle, which was scheduled
to undock July 30. Undocking the Progress will clear the way for the space
walk.
The ARISS gear will be shut down during the space walk, starting at 0850
UTC on Monday, August 2. The radios should return to service approximately
0850 UTC on Wednesday, August 4.
ARISS is an international educational outreach program with US participation
from NASA, AMSAT and ARRL.
Sorce: ARRL Letter - courtesy of The
American Radio Relay League
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