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Author
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Topic: Talking to the astronauts via ham radio
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MarylandSpace
Member Posts: 1336
From:
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 04-13-2008 06:58 PM
   
Since I passed by technician class of ham radio today, I hope to someday talk with the astronauts on the ISS.Have any of you cS ham radio operators talked with the astronauts while in space using ham radio? It wasn't that difficult to pass the test. Garry (waiting for me call letters) |
Mr Meek
Member Posts: 353
From: Chattanooga, TN
Registered: Dec 2007
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posted 04-13-2008 09:33 PM
Never talked to astronauts, though I have spent time working satellite on Field Day over the years. It's been a long time since then, though.Welcome to the hobby. Have you picked out your first radio yet? |
Moonpaws
Member Posts: 685
From: Lee's summit, MO
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 04-13-2008 11:18 PM
Funny story. Though I've had my license for years, haven't really had the chance to use it. I was an amplifier tech. for amateur radios with Mirage when they were in Morgan Hill California. The company was purchased by MFJ in Mississippi and I helped transition the company from Morgan Hill to Mississippi back in about 1994. MFJ stands for Martin F Ju, a Chinese man with a heavy southern drawl. When I heard him speak I about fell over. You never would expect an oriental looking person to talk like that.
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Mr Meek
Member Posts: 353
From: Chattanooga, TN
Registered: Dec 2007
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posted 04-14-2008 08:33 AM
I found the ARRL's page on ARISS (Amateur Radio on the ISS).There's some good info about what sort of gear you'd need. The good news is, us lowly Techs can still work the ISS with the right gear. While we're on the subject, did anyone here successfully work SuitSat a couple of years ago? I had no luck, but there was little chance of getting much with my little Icom handheld. |
tegwilym
Member Posts: 2331
From: Sturgeon Bay, WI
Registered: Jan 2000
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posted 04-14-2008 03:27 PM
I once tried to contact MIR years ago. I was using 50 watts, an Isopole on the roof and I was all set. I DID hear them calling, and later learned that a friend across town made contact with them in his backyard on a hand-held running maybe 3 watts into a rubber ducky antenna. I was bummed to say the least!  Oh, my call sign is KA7VIK. General class license, got it back in about 1986 when 13wpm code was still required.  |
Jay Chladek
Member Posts: 2272
From: Bellevue, NE, USA
Registered: Aug 2007
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posted 04-15-2008 05:11 AM
When Richard Garriott flies, expect ample opportunity to call him via HAM radio. Reason being is that him and his dad Owen are big time Ham radio buffs. My dad has a friend who knows both of them from Ham Radio get togethers in the US. |
Lou Chinal
Member Posts: 1306
From: Staten Island, NY
Registered: Jun 2007
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posted 04-16-2008 05:24 PM
I know that when Owen Garriott flew on Skylab he had a ham radio rig on board. I don't know what kind of set it was, but a friend of mine talked to him. If you want I could ask him.-Lou |
MarylandSpace
Member Posts: 1336
From:
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 04-22-2008 10:50 PM
I was a high "winning" bidder at about $150 for a old Swan 350 tube transceiver this morning on Ebay.This evening I found that my license call sign is KB3RBP. I'm excited. Garry |
tegwilym
Member Posts: 2331
From: Sturgeon Bay, WI
Registered: Jan 2000
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posted 04-23-2008 01:58 PM
quote:
Originally posted by MarylandSpace:
I was a high "winning" bidder at about $150 for a old Swan 350 tube transceiver this morning on Ebay.
Nice old rig! I've had a lot of Hf trancievers myself. I still have an old Kenwood 520s, TS-140 and a Drake tx/rx pair in my basement. Need to hook up that antenna again one of these days...Tom - KA7VIK |
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