[GCARC] Maybe YOU can work the ISS!

[Robert Demola]

My QSO With ISS
KD2GFL

On Wed, Jul 27, 2022 at 1:08 PM Jon Pearce <jon at pearcefamily.org> wrote:

> Recently three club stations have worked NA1SS, the International Space
> Station operated by Dr. Kjell Lindgren<
> https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/kjell-n-lindgren/biography>
> KO5MOS. Chris KC2IEB and Bob KD2GFL each worked him over the past few weeks
> and I worked him on Field Day at the W2MMD station, so he’s apparently
> frequently operating the rig. All three club members  were working from
> dedicated satellite stations, but you might be able to make a contact – or
> at least hear a QSO – using a regular FM rig or two. So if you’d like to
> give it a try here’s some info on trying to talk to the space station.
> DISCLAIMER – I haven’t done this and don’t know anyone who has done it, but
> we know that SSTV signals from the ISS can easily be received on HTs so the
> repeater signals should be equally as accessible.
>
> The ISS rig is a cross-band FM repeater with the uplink on 145.990 (PL 67
> hz) and the downlink on 437.800. It’s full-duplex so you can hear your
> transmitted signal if you have two separate radios, each set to one of the
> frequencies, but it will also work with one radio like a normal repeater.
> Using your mobile rig for the 2 meter uplink and an HT to monitor the 70 cm
> downlink might work. An HT may not have enough power to reach the ISS over
> other stations so use a mobile or home rig for the uplink if possible.
>
> Ideally you want a circular polarized yagi aimed at the ISS, and one of
> the Arrow handheld antennas would be useful if you have one. If not, a
> vertical antenna may be the next best bet. Verticals spread the signal
> horizontally and limit the signal vertically but the ISS is frequently at
> relatively low elevations (i.e., not directly overhead) so a vertical
> antenna may work well.
>
> Finally you need to know when to listen for the ISS. The heavens-above
> website<https://heavens-above.com/PassSummary.aspx?satid=25544> shows
> upcoming ISS passes. Two things to note – first you need to enter your
> latitude and longitude into the upper-right user box to get the passes over
> your location. Also, the ISS page defaults to show only visible passes, but
> you want all passes so check that button.
>
> Finally, if you ARE successful and you’ve heard those wonderful words
> “Welcome to the International Space Station” from Kjell  you’ll certainly
> want that ISS QSL card so send your card to the ARISS<
> https://www.ariss.org/qsl-cards.html> QSL Manager.
>
> Good luck hunting the ISS.
>
> 73 de Jon WB2MNF
>
>
>
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