Iss space station

Hi all is it correct we not allowed to make contact with  iss, i thought we
was allowed to tx to them when it crossed the  uk..,,, obviously with my M7..... .

I would if I could, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity, It'll be decommissioned before we know it.
None of the chicken band banter like animal noises, "im going to track you down" rubbish and silly music carriers of course. 
I'd send my best wishes and let them know that the gravity here on earth is feeling quite grounding and the cool breeze of fresh air is giving me goosebumps.
I'm sure they'd love to know someone on earth is thinking of them as they zoom past.

26ct954 wrote:

Hi all is it correct we not allowed to make contact with  iss, i thought we
was allowed to tx to them when it crossed the  uk..,,, obviously with  my M7..... .

The cross band repeater is on 145.990 up 67 Hz tone 437.800 down.

For more information regarding the International Space Station and Amateur Radio Satellites it's worth checking the following site :-

https://amsat-uk.org/


There's a wealth of information there and useful links to other sites. There are also some useful videos on 'YouTube' if you do a search there.

Thanks Victor nice to hear from you again hope ur keeping well,, are we allowed with  our licence some people say no..
Had some good contacts on Hf with the . Lw20,, but  making changes like  we do putting up a cobweb that  should  make things interesting...

Hi Chris, 

Keeping well here mate, hope you and yours are well too. 


Unfortunately certain people when they're uncertain of facts will plop for the simple "no" answer leaving out the "I'm not sure".

For example Ofcom have had to recently clarify the situation regarding operation on waterways and territorial waters after "Full licence" holders bemoaned Intermediate and Foundation licence holders making transmissions at sea. The original clause stated that Full licence holders could operate in International waters but never a clause to stop anyone operating in territorial waters. (There was a huge kerfuffle down Southampton, Isle of Wight way because "Novices" were transmitting from boats and ferries?!?!)

As far as I can see there is no such limitation for using satellites including the International Space Station.

However, be prepared for maybe a bit of a downer regards ISS/satellite contact in what can be achieved and the limits our licence may impose. 

Anyone can listen to the ISS and satellites orbiting the earth often with modest equipment and of course no licence is required. The first, (and actually last), few times I listened out I was disappointed to only hear data transmissions the crosslink repeater also carrying APRS data packets and sometimes SSTV, (Slow Scan Television). The initial excitement of knowing I'd received something from the ISS wore off quickly.

Those that do transmit are usually using complex beam antennas and a lot of watts to achieve contact so of course the paltry Foundation 10W may be a limit. Then they are usually only using the crosslink repeater, (now that it's working again), to have the briefest contact with other Radio Amateurs. The short window of contact opportunity is probably why 'packet' data is so often used.


To be perfectly frank and honest I've never personally worked any satellites including the ISS. As I delved into this murky world and I use that word expressively as info from others is as clear as muddy water, I was left a bit.......yawn. 

Don't expect to be flying out to the garden armed with a Baofeng and start chatting to one of the astro/cosmonauts/crew.....it just ain't gonna happen(!)

The talk schedules for educational establishments are booked well into 2022 and tightly controlled. The crew do have the ability to make Amateur Radio contacts during their 'free time' but as far as I know this rarely happens. Ya-da, ya-da, etc.


So, to paraphrase myself from the start, "I'm not sure", but what little Information I gleaned left me rather 'meh'.


Anyway, can you imagine if there was an open frequency to the crew so that anyone could shout out as they passed over?

It'd be worse than the 555 freeband frequency in full flow on a hot summers day! 

(Remember too, a lot of people just outright lie about ISS contact - a Radio Amateur in India was recently shamed claiming that he'd spoken to the Dragon-X crew on route to the ISS - NASA later confirmed it just simply didn't happen.)


Chris mate, I hope that wasn't a bit of a downer for you. Maybe there are Foundation holders who've at least worked the cross-repeater but I haven't come across one. It's always worth asking and the great thing about Amateur Radio is there are always things worth exploring. 
Keep asking, keep exploring and above all enjoy yourself whilst doing it.


All the best to you,
Victor

I found a good utube video of a ham making contact with the ISS. He was saying that occasionally astronauts that have amateur licences put out a CQ. During his video the astronaut gave a school class a quick run down of what was happening on the ISS, then in its next pass they were making multiple contacts with earth dwelling operators.


Here's the link
https://youtu.be/MpZqaVwaIYk

You are able to contact the ISS as a licenced radio amateur if you have the ability to reach them within the limits of your licence. Most crews have a licenced radio amateur on board and in their down time they will get on the air from time to time.

Thanks one sensible answer....

26ct954 wrote:

Thanks one sensible answer....

Ouch ! Ain't that a kick in the ribs to all those who took the time to reply to your original post

The OP could look up their licence terms and conditions.
BTW they really should know them after just getting the licence.