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CX2SA > ISS 03.11.07 22:08l 67 Lines 3276 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 11113-CX2SA
Read: GUEST OE7FMI
Subj: ISS amateur radio st. Nov 2007
Path: DB0FHN<DB0FOR<DF0ANN<DB0ZDF<DB0KTL<DB0RBS<DB0SWR<DK0WUE<ON0BEL<F4BWT<
I0TVL<IK2XDE<HB9TVW<DB0ANF<CX2SA
Sent: 071103/1945Z @:CX2SA.LAV.URY.SA #:11113 [Minas] FBB7.00e $:11113-CX2SA
From: CX2SA@CX2SA.LAV.URY.SA
To : ISS@WW
ISS amateur radio status- Nov 2007
Amateur radio operations on the ISS have had an interesting year. After being
unavailable for months, the packet system was able to be partially restored
when Suni Williams performed some basic manual reprogramming of the Kenwood
D700 back it June. Unfortunately this occurred just prior to an expedition
crew exchange and some miscommunication kept the system off an additional two
months until some information about the radio got clarified to the new crew.
Since early September, packet has been operational on 145.825 simplex and will
stay there until a complete reprogramming of the D700 system is performed. A
target date for fully restoring the radio has not been set but it is hoped
that the access to a computer on orbit and certification of the reprogramming
software can be finalized for implementation during Expedition 17. Due to
continuing issues related to the radio misconfiguration, full operational
capabilities are not available. Basic voice and packet operations are wo!
rking but the crossband repeater is not available. Future SSTV operations are
on hold until issues related to the system and the radio can be resolved or a
plan to utilized another configuration of hardware can be implemented.
On the plus side, school contacts have had a banner year so far with 74
contacts made from Jan 1, 2007 until Oct 31, 2007 (the most ever recorded in a
calendar year) and Exp 15 set a new school contact record for most school
contacts by an expedition crew with 39. Suni Williams contributed 16, Fyodor
Yurchikhin had 3 and Clay Anderson finishing out the expedition with 20.
The top 5 expedition school contact counts are:
1) Exp 15 - 39
2) Exp 12 - 38
3) Exp 14 - 25
4) Exp 10 - 23
5) Exp 3 - 22
In the individual operator standings for most school contact, Suni totaled 33
school contacts during her time on Expeditions 14 and 15 to move her into
second place while Clay Anderson reached 21 contacts during his tour on
Expeditions 15 and 16 to achieve fifth place.
The top 5 individual school contact counts for a single tour are:
1) Bill McArthur - 37
2) Suni Williams - 33
3) Leroy Chiao - 23
4) Frank Culbertson - 22
5) Clay Anderson - 21
NASA has stated that the next several months will be extremely difficult with
all the activity on the ISS. During Expedition 16, three new modules (Harmony,
Columbus and the Japanese pressurized storage module) will be installed on the
ISS. In addition, Expedition 16 is planned to have three shuttle flights, 2
Soyuz flights, 2 progress flights and the maiden launch of the ATV (Automated
Transfer Vehicle). As such, the initial crew of Expedition 16 has declined to
participate in any ARISS activities. This means no school contacts will be
planned for the next several months and it is possible that unattended
operational support will be sporadic. Once Leopold Eyharts replaces Dan Tani
during the STS-122 mission, the opportunity to resume amateur radio related
activities should be possible.
Kenneth - N5VHO
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