Three satellites spur activity on 145.825 MHz packet

The ARISS system aboard the International Space Station has frequently enabled its packet digipeater for APRS on 145.825 using the path of "VIA ARISS".

Additionally, by mid-September PCSAT-1 should enter a FULL SUN OPERATING PERIOD. This may present a period of a few weeks when we will have THREE APRS satellites flying in constellation: ISS, PCSAT-1, and ANDE, all operating 145.825 MHz.

This will assure over 18 passes per day. And since they all
respond to the same path "VIA ARISS" then which satellite is in view is transparent to the user. Two-hop paths via ARISS,ARISS might also be possible.

Bob, WB4APR noted, "In order for the global APRS internet system to capture all these packets, we do need volunteer ground stations to place an IGATE to monitor all packets on 145.825 MHz downlinks. In many cases, a simple omni antenna connected to APRS is all that is needed."

Successful packet digipeating on 145.825 can be seen on either: http://www.ariss.net or http://pcsat.aprs.org

Bob added, "We are also working on getting GO-32 enabled for APRS operation at 9600 baud. But since it uses different uplink and downlink fequencies, it cannot be used for multiple-APRS-satellite operations."

Bob, WB4APR