PD0RKC ISS space station voice tips!

TALK WITH THE ISS CREW IN VOICE!
Updated at: 15-12-2005

READ HERE: copyright © 2001 Cor pd0rkc.

Astronaut Mike Foale operating on 145.800Mhz!

Are you ready for a QSO with astronauts in space?

The most exiting moments are when the ISS crew is calling CQ to the world.
99% of the time the ISS APRS-PACKET system is on, so it is good
to join these digital modes, and at some day you will hear the crew in voice!
Be prepared for these moments it can happen any time

READ HERE: copyright © 2001 Cor pd0rkc.
POSITION OF ISS!

First of all it´s very importand to know the ISS position above earth!
What time the ISS arrives your QTH?
There are real time trackings websites on internet.
Refresh your browser each time for a new position!!!
http://science.nasa.gov/Realtime/JTrack/Spacecraft.html
http://images.ontwikkel.nl/iss_map.jpg?
http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/temp/StnLoc.gif

The real time internet maps works fine, but the best manner is to
use good tracking software on your computer.
I prefer programs like:
Satscape (freeware).
Nova (not freeware!).

Look here for a screenshot of Nova.

ISS VOICE FREQUENCIES!

Be prepared and program the ISS voice frequencies in your memory channels!!!

ISS VOICE FREQUENCY REGION 1
Region 1 = Europe * Middle East * Africa * North-Asia

Russian/european crew callsign: RS0ISS
American crew callsign: NA1SS

ISS VOICE FREQUENCY REGION 2 & 3
North and South America * Caribbean * Greenland
South Asia * Australia * New Zealand * Oceania

Russian/european crew callsign: RS0ISS
American crew callsign: NA1SS

READ HERE: copyright © 2001 Cor pd0rkc.
Crew 12 voice operation operation!

The best chance to make a voice contact with the ISS crew are :
(1) During the normal work week: 19:30 till 22:00UTC.
(2) During the week Bill also (occasionally) operates during his eating time
which is one hour long and is usually some time during 12:00 - 1500 UTC
(3) During the weekend, the crew has less duties and you
have a good chance from 7:00 till to 23:00 UTC.
Click here to see crews voice operation from november till december 2005!
The ISS Kenwood TM-D700 is a couple of meters from the eating table.
Remember crew uses UTC times aboard ISS!
Crew plan scedule:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/timelines/index.html

Watch ISS voice reports from ISSFANCLUB and satellite status reports.
http://www.issfanclub.com
http://oscar.dcarr.org/

When you hear the ISS crew in voice please report directly on
the ISSFANCLUB and satellite status reports!!!!!!

Observe IGATE stations!

The ISS APRS digipeater is switched on for 24 hours per day, when APRS/PACKET is
switched off there is a good chance that the crew operate in voice.
In many parts of the world are igate stations which receive ISS APRS beacons
which they send to the http://www.ariss.net/ website.

At this picture you can see that the last ISS APRS beacons was received 27 minutes -
agoo by IGATE STATION EA8CAC (you have to refresh your browser each time!!!).
But remember not in all parts of the world are igate stations.
Several igate stations are at europe, USA and south America.

RECORD YOUR QSO WITH ISS CREW!

Record your QSO so you have a souvenir for the future.
There are several good audio recordings software to find on
internet, I prefer Audacity:
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
After your recording you can convert (in audacity) to .wav or mp3 format.

Use a very sensetive microphone so you can record both (iss crew and operator!).
For the best audio quality I advice you to use a good external speaker on
your transceiver (close to your microphone!!!).
Adjust your audio recorder at 92kb, 22khz sample rate (mono).

ISS in VOICE!
ISS making several VOICE contacts (download here an mp3 audio file 1mB).