Showing posts with label ISS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ISS. Show all posts

Sunday, August 31, 2025

Debrief: ARISS radio contact between NA1SS and South Africa's ZS9LSO on August 29, 2025, 11h35 SAST.


IMAGE: ORION ARISS 2025 - LIVE TALK TO THE ISS FROM JOHANNESBURG SOUTH AFRICA

 

Video Above:  OriesTV Video

ARISS Youtube Video available HERE

A successful direct contact with the International Space Station (ISS) via Amateur Radio took place at 11:35 CAT on Friday 29 August 2025, allowing youngsters to ask their questions to astronaut Mike Fincke, KE5AI and encouraging students to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in extracurricular activities.

Eight schools participated, with representatives from each school present at the ground station asking their individual questions. In total, 15 questions were answered by Mike from the ISS before contact was lost. The event was streamed to the participating schools and on social media.

Congratulations to Dr Gerhard Gericke, ZS6CRS and the team of dedicated radio amateurs from the Alberton Amateur Radio Interest Group, who supplied equipment and manned the ground station. The callsign ZS9LSO was operated within the school hall. In attendance at this remarkable event were all the learners of the school, teachers, and invited guests.

The SARL was represented by the President, Nico van Rensburg, ZS6QL, and Vice President, Guy Eales, ZS6GUY, who expressed their appreciation to the ground station team for making this event possible and for promoting amateur radio to the public.

Several local ZS Link Network Group radio amateurs participated in the event by recording the ARISS contact between NAISS and ZS9LSO using the allocated frequency of 145.800 Mhz.  Different radios and antennas were used.  Even portable radios were used.  

The following ZS Link Network Group radio amateurs participated:

  • Rulhof ZS4RM
  • Thys ZS1TBP
  • Gerrit ZS1KLO
  • Fred ZS5SAM/1
  • Keverne ZS1ABU
  • Christi ZS4CGR
  • Johan ZS1I
  • Deon ZS1DDM

Herewith a few videos and audio recordings:



All three videos provided by Gerrit ZS1KLO.  Thanks, Gerrit!!

Audio recordings:

  • Christi ZS4CGR recording available HERE.
  • Fred ZS5SAM/1 recording available HERE
  • ARISS recording available HERE
  • Keith ZS6TW recording available HERE 

Finally:  A big thank you to all who made this contact possible, to many to mention here.  Thank you also to all the radio amateurs that participated in this event and also those who directly recorded audio from the ISS on 145.800 Mhz.  Your participation is highly appreciated!


Friday, August 29, 2025

Announcement: ARISS radio contact between NA1SS and South Africa's ZS9LSO on August 29, 2025, 11h35 SAST.


Astronaut Mike Fincke, amateur radio call sign KE5AIT, will operate the amateur radio equipment aboard the International Space Station. Mike will answer questions from students in South Africa during this live amateur radio contact.


This amateur radio contact is scheduled for Friday, August 29, 2025 at 09:35:44 UTC.
Astronaut Mike Fincke will operate the amateur radio station call sign NA1SS aboard the ISS and will call the radio amateur ground station call sign ZS9LSO in South Africa. This is a live ARISS radio contact from the Laerskool Orion in Alberton, South Africa.
You can listen live to astronaut Mike Fincke aboard the ISS on 145.800 MHz (plus/minus 3kHz Doppler shift).

The event will be streamed live:
https://www.youtube.com/@ORION2025ARISS

English is the expected language of communication in this amateur radio contact.

Questions (as time allows):

1. What does it feel like to be without gravity, and what challenges are there in a weightless environment?

2. How long does it take to readjust to Earth after spending a long time in space without gravity, and how do you adapt?

3. Does the lack of gravity affect your sleep patterns in space? How do you sleep without floating around?

4. What inspired you to become an astronaut, and what advice would you give to others who want to follow the same path?

5. How long does it take to put on the spacesuit and helmet, and how comfortable is it to wear?

6. Where does the water you drink come from?

7. What type of food do astronauts eat in space, and how is the food kept fresh?

8. In the absence of an atmosphere as we know it on earth, where does the oxygen come from that you breathe?

9. I am a very active person and would like to know how do astronauts stay fit in a microgravity?

10. Do you have any free time and how do you spend it?

11. What happens when any of the crew gets sick?

12. I am absolutely stunned at the thought of spacewalking. Does your body feel any different during a space walk?

13. How do you navigate in space?

14. What technologies do you think will make humans living on Mars possible?

15. What type of experiments are being carried out on the ISS?

16. What's the funniest thing that has happened to you in zero gravity?

17. Have you witnessed any unexpected phenomena in space?

18. How do you tell night from day—does Earth's pattern help?

19. What's the most beautiful sight you've seen looking down on Earth?

20. Do any sounds from Earth reach your station—like storms or ocean waves?

The ARISS program is aimed at students and enthusiasts and aims to inspire them in the study of sciences with this amateur radio activity. The demonstration of amateur radio communication from space invites schools and universities to make use of these educational technical resources. We invite radio amateurs and space enthusiasts to tune in to this exciting moment.

Check out the ARISS website and follow ARISS on the official social media channels for more updates.
https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html 

Images:  (Click on images for larger view.)

 

Images: Alberton Amateur Radio Interest Group

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

Working Satellites and Receiving SSTV Images from the ISS - Andre ZS3AG and Johnny ZS3JDL, Kimberley


An ARISS SSTV event took place from  14 July 2025 to 20 July 2025.  The subject was the 50th anniversary of the ASTP and the 40th anniversary of STS-51F.   STS-51F was the second SAREX flight and had the first use of SSTV in human spaceflight.

Down-link transmissions was at 145.800 MHz FM and the mode was  PD 120.

The transmissions consisted of 12 images featuring the Apollo Soyuz mission and STS 51F which pioneered SSTV operation on Shuttles. 

Herewith a recap of participating stations in this event.


The following ZS Link Network Group radio amateurs participated:

1.  Gerrit ZS1KLO
2.  Johan ZS1I
3.  Rulhof ZS4RM
4.  Jacobus ZS1JDJ
5.  Christi ZS4CGR
6.  Andre ZS3AG
7   Johnny ZS3JDL

Andre ZS3AG and Johnny ZS3JDL participated from Kimberley.  Andre  ZS3AG explained in the  audio file how he and Johnny ZS3JDL downloaded SSTV images from the ISS.  Andre provided the images relating to his station setup and equipment that he used to download images.

Audio File available HERE

 

 








Saturday, July 26, 2025

Recap ARISS SSTV Event Participation 14 July 2025 to 20 July 2025


An ARISS SSTV event took place from  14 July 2025 to 20 July 2025.  The subject was the 50th anniversary of the ASTP and the 40th anniversary of STS-51F.   STS-51F was the second SAREX flight and had the first use of SSTV in human spaceflight.

Down-link transmissions was at 145.800 MHz FM and the mode was  PD 120.

The transmissions consisted of 12 images featuring the Apollo Soyuz mission and STS 51F which pioneered SSTV operation on Shuttles. Please note that the newly updated gallery is available at https://ariss-usa.org/ARISS_SSTV/ .

Feedback on the event:


The following radio amateurs participated:

1.  Gerrit ZS1KLO
2.  Johan ZS1I
3.  Rulhof ZS4RM
4.  Jacobus ZS1JDJ
5.  Christi ZS4CGR
6.  Andre ZS3AG
7   Johnny ZS3JDL
 
A demonstration of how to download SSTV images from the International Space Station (ISS) was held on the 19 July 2025 on the farm Blandsdrift during the ZS-Link Network Group gathering.  Well the ISS cooperated nicely and there was a good flypast at 11h58 SAST at a maximum elevation of 56.2 degrees elevation on the farm. The following radio amateurs participated in the demonstration: Jacobus ZS1JDJ, Gerrit ZS1KLO, Nico ZS1ZAN.

The images below were downloaded using Robot36 installed on a cellphone and a 2m Handheld with a "rubber duck" antenna. There was great interest from several radio amateurs in the demonstration. Hopefully many new radio amateurs will participate in the next SSTV broadcasts from the International Space Station. (ISS)

Here are the pictures/images that were downloaded on the day:  (Click on the images for larger view)
 
Jacobus ZS1JDJ
 
 

Gerrit ZS1KLO


The following ARISS SSTV Awards were issued to the participating stations: (Click on the images for larger view.)

(PLEASE NOTE:  I am currently waiting for the award certificates of Andre ZS3AG and Johnny ZS3JDL.  Once received the certificates will be added to this topic.)




Saturday, May 17, 2025

Downloading SSTV Images while being mobile between George and Mossel Bay. A first in South Africa?

 

Image:  N2 Road map between George and Mossel Bay.  1 & 2 - Areas where images were downloaded while being mobile.

During the recent  SSTV Experiment - Expedition 73 - ARISS Series 27 = Period: 5 May 2025 to 12 May 2025  Jacobus ZS1JDJ downloaded SSTV images from the ISS while being mobile between George and Mossel Bay.  I cannot remember that this type of operating was ever undertaken by a radio amateur in the Southern Cape, maybe even in South Africa. 


Image  1 = This image was downloaded on the 5 May 2025 at 17h09 SAST while mobile on the N2 driving at a speed of 110 km/h.  The position of the download was at the top of the Great Brak River cutting.

Image 2 = This image was downloaded on the 7 May 2025 at 17h11 SAST while mobile in the Rheebok Bricks factory area.  Driving speed was also 110km/h.

The two image above are not perfect images but taking into account that Jacobus ZS1JDJ found the passes not being in his favor this time around due to the fact that he was still at work during the ISS passes.  Remarkable is that he decided to download the images while being mobile at 110 km/h.  Great ingenuity on his part as he did not want to be left in the cold.  Well done, Jacobus!!


Equipment used:  5/8 Mobile Antenna mounted on vehicle, Robot36 Android application and a QYT KT-8900 VHF / UHF Radio

Finally:  A group of 8 radio amateurs participated in the  SSTV Experiment - Expedition 73 - ARISS Series 27 = Period: 5 May 2025 to 12 May 2025.  More information available HERE.

Thursday, May 15, 2025

Participation Report: SSTV Experiment - Expedition 73 - ARISS Series 27 = Period: 5 May 2025 to 12 May 2025



 

What did the Experiment entail?

Expedition 73 - ARISS Series 27
May 05-12, 2025 – "See paragraph below"
Start: Monday, May 5 1200 UTC
End: Monday, May 12 1200 UTC
Frequency: 145.800 MHz FM (+/-3.5 kHz Doppler Shift)
The callsign is RSØISS, frequency is 145.800 MHz, and the mode is PD120. (Transmission cycle 2 minutes on, 2 minutes off)
 
This time, SSTV images are broadcast on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (April 9, 1945). The diploma depicts the International Space Station, which is a symbol and place of international cooperation and friendship between the nations of the world.
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics topics. ARISS does this by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities take part in hands-on learning activities tied to space, space technologies, and amateur radio.

Many FM rigs can be switched to wide and narrow deviation FM filters. For best results you should select the filter for wider deviation FM. Handhelds generally have a single wide filter fitted as standard.

Reports are requested: please send ARISS uploading your decoded pictures in the official ARISS SSTV gallery: https://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/

Useful information to receive the pictures can be found here: https://amsat-uk.org/beginners/iss-sstv/

Follow ARISS on X for official updates during the event https://x.com/ARISS_Intl

I am pleased to announce that there was plenty of interest and participation in the Southern Cape and South Africa in the SSTV Experiment - ARISS Series 27.

Why download SSTV images from the ISS?

Every radio amateur that participated set his/her own goals and has a reason for participating in the experiment.  Unfortunately I do not have all the information on hand why some radio amateurs download images.  During this event the "modus operandi" differ substantially from Series 23. The current  TX cycle 2 min on, 2min break and 2min on as well as the fact that all passes took place at night time and the trajectory of the passes differed was challenging especially for inexperienced operators.  This time around two radio amateurs participated for the first time ever.  I am sure they learned from this experience and that they will download good clean images in the future.

Herewith some images (Click on images to enlarge) of the radio amateurs that participated in the ARISS SSTV Experiment:

Johan   ZS1I - Mossel Bay

 

Christi ZS4CGR - Luckhoff









Note:  Above image downloaded by Christi ZS4CGR using the Quansheng in the image above with the Nagoya antenna.  Well done Christi!

Francois ZS1Q - George




Rulhof ZS4RM - Bloemfontein



Gerrit ZS1KLO - Mossel Bay


Johnny ZS3JDL - Kimberley



Bernie ZR1ACP - Agulhas


Jacobus ZS1JDJ - Mossel Bay




The ISS SSTV Series 27 Experiment has ended on the 12 May 2025.  8 Radio Amateurs participated as the Southern Cape ISS SSTV Group and contributed to Africa's participation in the event.   I know that there were other radio amateurs taking part in South Africa and would like to thank each one of them for contributing to the Africa rate. 

In appreciation to the Southern Cape ISS SSTV Group I have decided to provide the above overview of the group participants Awards and Images and area of operation in South Africa.  The reasons for participating in the ARISS Experiment differ from radio amateur to radio amateur.

Here are a few reasons:

1.  Having Fun!
2.  Gaining experience with regard to tracking satellites and operating satellites
3.  Testing Radio's and Software
4.  Testing different antennas 
5.  Portable and Fixed station setup
6.  Working to obtain the ARISS SSTV Award
7.  Antenna shootout using two different antennas during the event.
8.  Teaching new radio amateurs how to setup a RX Satellite Station and also the finer points in copying a reasonable clear image from the ISS.

Finally  -  A article will soon appear on this Blog on how Jacobus ZS1JDJ received the SSTV images from the ISS.  This is surely a first for the Southern Cape if not South Africa.  Do not miss this article. As far as can be ascertained every one that participated enjoyed the event immensely.  To those who did not participated this time around, wait for the next event and join in the fun!!

New ZS6CM0 70cm AllStarLink Repeater - Alberton

(Click on images for larger view.) Curtis ZS6CMO recently completed his 70cm AllStarLink Repeater.  In the video the repeater was connected ...