NASA on HAM

[GearType]

I was just scanning frequencies on my way home and came across NASA communications on 449.925. They were just holding a press conference @ Kennedy Space Center and then went back to Mission Control communicating with the ISS related to the Hubble repair mission.

Really cool, I'm not sure what their schedule is on the frequency but check it out.

[BlueFJ]

Way cool! Thanks for posting this!

[unwiredadventures]

I was just scanning frequencies on my way home and came across NASA communications on 449.925.

I believe that 449.925 is an Amateur repeater. There are several repeaters around that re-broadcast NASA-TV during shuttle missions.

[Frogeye]

I listened to the Russian Space station docking today on HAM. Cool stuff.

[BlueFJ]

I listened to the Russion Space station docking today on HAM. Cool stuff.

What frequency, Chris?

[OLLIE]

Anytime there is a launch and the shuttle is in orbit there are a couple of frequecies dedicated to just monitor their communications. It is awsome to listen to. There is also a schedule on certain repeaters when the ISS is performing certain operations that you can listen to those communications too. Also, if my memory serves correctly, there is a certain time period when you as an amateur radio operator communicate with the ISS as well if one of the astronauts is an amateur radio operator. I'll see what I can find.

[hmfigueroa]

Anytime there is a launch and the shuttle is in orbit there are a couple of frequecies dedicated to just monitor their communications. It is awsome to listen to. There is also a schedule on certain repeaters when the ISS is performing certain operations that you can listen to those communications too. Also, if my memory serves correctly, there is a certain time period when you as an amateur radio operator communicate with the ISS as well if one of the astronauts is an amateur radio operator. I'll see what I can find.

They usually only schedule contacts with school groups, but they pop on the radio as time permits. More information on ARISS Amateur Radio on International Space Station is available on this link http://www.rac.ca/ariss/oindex.htm

[cruiserlarry]

Also, if my memory serves correctly, there is a certain time period when you as an amateur radio operator communicate with the ISS as well if one of the astronauts is an amateur radio operator.

They usually only schedule contacts with school groups, but they pop on the radio as time permits. More information on ARISS Amateur Radio on International Space Station is available on this link http://www.rac.ca/ariss/oindex.htm

Great info...If I remember correctly, you would need to schedule any direct contact with the space station, and available contact time can be very limited depending on the orbit, time of day, etc...

[ki6kui]

There are a lot of unscheduled contacts with the space station as it goes through space. Schools usually reserve their time slot with ARISS, but individuals usually have a chance at night when schools aren't normally scheduling a contact.

You need some special equipment to make the contact because the space station is moving so quickly. A directional (Yagi) antenna is a must because you need to capture the signal from the space station as well as get your signal focused. The antenna must continually move while you are making contact to track with the space station as it moves across the sky. There are tracking programs available to help with this. Also, the frequency changes slightly because of the Doppler effect. Some rigs compensate for this automatically, such as the Kenwood TS2000 or the Icom IC-910H.

The JPL repeater on the 2-meter band rebroadcasts the NASA communications as well. The frequency is 147.150MHz.

[Frogeye]

I listened to the Russion Space station docking today on HAM. Cool stuff.

What frequency, Chris?

Craig it was one of my preset frequencies. I'm thinking it was a 400mhz repeater. I just starting scanning. Really cool to hear the Russians speaking English.