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EK9YS > AMSAT 30.11.08 17:35l 75 Lines 3137 Bytes #999 (0) @ ARMENI
BID : 75673_EK9YS
Read: GUEST
Subj: ARISS Special Event
Path: IZ3LSV<I4UKI<IK6ZDE<VE2GPQ<VE2DTD<VE2RXY<VE2HAR<VE2HAR<EK9YS
Sent: 081130/1251z @:EK9YS.#YER.ARM.AS Yerevan #:75672 $:75673_EK9YS
AMSAT-NA V.P. for Human Spaceflight Programs and ARISS Inter-
national Chairman Frank Bauer, KA3HDO announced, "Twenty-five
years ago this week, Owen Garriott, W5LFL, made history by being
the first amateur radio operator to talk to hams from space.
Owen's historic flight on the STS-9 Space Shuttle Columbia mission
was launched on ovember 28 and landed on December 8, 1983. Owen's
ham radio adventure on STS-9 ushered in a host of outstanding out-
reach activities that continue today with the ARISS program."
Frank continued, "Many will recall that first set of contacts and
downlinks with Owen. Those first contacts allowed each of us to
share the excitement of space exploration through Owen's first-hand
eyewitness accounts. Owen's ham radio legacy enabled space travelers
that have flown on the Space Shuttle, the Space Station Mir and now
the International Space Station to share their journey of exploration."
"Owen's son Richard, W5KWQ just a month ago carried the torch further
to become the first 2nd generation amateur rdaio operator to talk to
hams from space. What other hobby, except amateur radio, could or
would open the communications lines of space travelers beyond that
of the space agencies or international heads of state?"
To celebrate our 25 years of amateur radio operations from space, the
ARISS team has planned a set of special event opportunities during
the month of December and part of January. A special certificate is
being developed for those who communicate with the ISS, either 2-way
direct (with the ISS crew,the digipeater, or cross band repeater),
or 1-way reception of SSTV or voice downlink. Several events will
be described here with several "surprises" planned over the month-long
celebration. The surprises will be announced once we are prepositioned
to accomplish them.
Specifically, the following is being planned in the near-term:
+ December 1-5 - in addition to school contacts and APRS digi
operations, we plan to configure the radio system for cross
band repeater operations. This will utilize the standard U/V
operations in low power mode.
+ December 7-12 we will run a test of 9600 baud packet operations
on the simplex frequency 145.825 MHz.
+ Given that PCSAT should be in full sun starting December 9, Dec
ember 14-19 we will switch to 1200 baud packet on 145.825 to
support double hop opportunities.
+ And at times, especially during the weekends, you might see some
SSTV operations if the crew is available.
We will provide more updates in the near future. We would like
to remind everyone that ISS flight requirements related to EVA and
vehicle activity may require the radio to be off for some portion
of this schedule. And school contacts and general QSO opportunities
by the crew will also preempt this schedule for short periods of
time. (But remember that if you hearthese, you still qualify for
a commemorative certificate).
Frank concluded, "In the meantime, enjoy the ARISS ops on ISS! And
congratulations to Owen Garriott, W5LFL, on the 25th anniversary of
his historic flight!!"
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