[HIham] ARISS Commemorative Event of the 25th Anniversary of Ham Radio in Space

[Ron Hashiro]

 From AMSAT.ORG

ARISS Commemorative Event of the 25th Anniversary of Ham Radio in Space

AMSAT-NA V.P. for Human Spaceflight Programs and ARISS International 
Chairman Frank Bauer, KA3HDO announced, "Twenty-five years ago this 
week, Owen Garriott, W5LFL, made history by being the first amateur 
radio operator to talk to hams from space. Owen's historic flight on the 
STS-9 Space Shuttle Columbia mission  was launched on November 28 and 
landed on December 8, 1983. Owen's ham radio adventure on STS-9 ushered 
in a host of outstanding outreach activities that continue today with 
the ARISS program."

Frank continued, "Many will recall that first set of contacts and 
downlinks with Owen. Those first contacts allowed each of us to share 
the excitement of space exploration through Owen's first-hand eyewitness 
accounts. Owen's ham radio legacy enabled space travelers that have 
flown on the Space Shuttle, the Space Station Mir and now the 
International Space Station to share their journey of exploration."

"Owen's son Richard, W5KWQ just a month ago carried the torch further to 
become the first 2nd generation amateur rdaio operator to talk to hams 
from space. What other hobby, except amateur radio, could or would open 
the communications lines of space travelers beyond that of the space 
agencies or international heads of state?"

To celebrate our 25 years of amateur radio operations from space, the 
ARISS team has planned a set of special event opportunities during the 
month of December and part of January. A special certificate is being 
developed for those who communicate with the ISS, either 2-way direct 
(with the ISS crew,the digipeater, or cross band repeater), or 1-way 
reception of SSTV or voice downlink. Several events will be described 
here with several "surprises" planned over the month- long celebration. 
The surprises will be announced once we are prepositioned to accomplish 
them.

Specifically, the following is being planned in the near-term:

    * December 1-5 - in addition to school contacts and APRS digi 
operations, we plan to configure the radio system for cross band 
repeater operations. This will utilize the standard U/V operations in 
low power mode.
    * December 7-12 - we will run a test of 9600 baud packet operations 
on the simplex frequency 145.825 MHz.
    * December 14-19 - we will switch to 1200 baud packet on 145.825 to 
support double hop opportunities, given that PCSAT should be in full sun 
starting December 9,
    * And at times, especially during the weekends, you might see some 
SSTV operations if the crew is available.

We will provide more updates in the near future. We would like to remind 
everyone that ISS flight requirements related to EVA and vehicle 
activity may require the radio to be off for some portion of this 
schedule. And school contacts and general QSO opportunities by the crew 
will also preempt this schedule for short periods of time. (But remember 
that if you hearthese, you still qualify for a commemorative certificate).

Frank concluded, "In the meantime, enjoy the ARISS ops on ISS! And 
congratulations to Owen Garriott, W5LFL, on the 25th anniversary of his 
historic flight!!"