[HamSat] Anyone Heard ISS Lately

Bruce - KB6LWN/rcc [email protected]
Sat, 1 Jun 2002 20:30:05 -0700 (PDT)


On Fri, 31 May 2002, HSHK wrote:

> Has anyone heard the ISS lately ??

Hi Bill (and the group),

Went outside this evening when I noticed I was going to
be getting a fairly close fly-by of the ISS (a/p TLE #515
using STS+).  Made a couple calls at about 30 secs out,
and a couple more through the pass.  No repsonse. :(

Could be due to using a 5w HT w/duck :)

Just after I made the first couple calls, I decided I'd
better check the reverse to see if any other stations
were trying the same thing as I was...
What I *DID* hear was simplex conversations and even a
telephone autopatch on 145.200...  Is this common practice ?
How is the ISS supposed to hear a weak HT, esp if there are
stations running 20-50w with external 'gain' antennas that
are ragchewing/autopatching ?!

The stations I heard were probably in Sacramento or down in
the Contra Costa, Napa or Sonoma County areas.  Wasn't able
to copy a full call although I believe I did hear them ID.

The operating content and practices kind of reminded me of
what one might hear on 11m or on some of the HF-SSB freqs,
like 2kc down from an established AM net.
Not sure if they heard me - probably not, although I think
I might have heard bits-n-pieces of a couple snide remarks
about a 'station in the distance'...  Not sure!

With what's up in the vehicle this time around, what are
the chances going to be of making a contact using a HH ?
I remember hearing about several rubber-duck contacts
with the MIR during it's tour of duty.

73 - Bruce

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