ISS QSO > Ham Radios

Posted: 10/8/2008 12:55:16 AM EDT

has anyone here made contact with the ISS? I just recently gained an interest in this and was wondering. If you did, what were you using for equiptment to do it?

Posted: 10/8/2008 1:07:02 AM EDT

[#1]

Quoted:
has anyone here made contact with the ISS? I just recently gained an interest in this and was wondering. If you did, what were you using for equiptment to do it?

HERE IS AN ANTENNA I designed for working satellites; it is a 2m/440 MHz antenna that is very easy to handle.

Never worked ISS with it but i bet it'll help.

Posted: 10/8/2008 4:00:46 AM EDT

[#2]

I used to here them alot more about a year and half ago. 2 or 3 times a week. for a couple months. then they went silent. never could chat, but they were loud and clear.
that's a QSL card I could be proud of.

Posted: 10/8/2008 8:59:15 PM EDT

[#3]

ISS will be active between Oct 12-22 per AMSAT website here
I think the packet/digi is still operating on the ISS..I will research this..
ok amsat site says packet is semi-op and aprs is op.

Posted: 10/9/2008 7:32:54 PM EDT

[#4]

What kind of equipment is required for LISTENING? Is a directional antenna needed?

Thanks!

Posted: 10/9/2008 11:59:36 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
What kind of equipment is required for LISTENING? Is a directional antenna needed?

Thanks!

nothing special, I heard them alot just on my copper Jpole base antenna. full quieting too.. pretty neat.

Posted: 10/10/2008 7:26:13 AM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
has anyone here made contact with the ISS? I just recently gained an interest in this and was wondering. If you did, what were you using for equiptment to do it?

Looks to me like if you want to do this, you need to get over that silly anti UHF radio thing you have

Posted: 10/12/2008 9:55:48 PM EDT

[#7]

You really don't need much. I've made numerous ISS contacts with the Kenwood TM-D700 in my truck and a Comet SBB-7 antenna. A lower gain antenna would be even better for high elevation passes.

Really, it doesn't take any special gear -- only the good fortune to find the station on board the ISS to be operational.

Check ISS's status here: ISS Fan Club

Posted: 10/13/2008 11:48:53 AM EDT

[#8]

APRS doesn't count.

Posted: 10/13/2008 4:40:31 PM EDT

[#9]

science.slashdot.org/science/08/10/13/2221214.shtml

"The international amateur satellite organization AMSAT is reporting live reception of TV images directly from the orbiting ISS via the ARISS-SSTV project. The images are said to be preparations for the upcoming visit to the ISS by Richard Garriot (W5KWQ), which will provide images from space as part of the Windows on Earth project."

ar-jedi

Posted: 10/14/2008 6:46:09 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
What kind of equipment is required for LISTENING? Is a directional antenna needed?

Thanks!

UPDATE:

I copied W5KWQ aboard the ISS at approx 1735 UTC from S.E. MI. He was chatting with a school in IL and someone in ME. Recieved on a handheld with a 3" antenna, I guess it doesn't take much at all