At 01:02 GMT on September 2 a cross band FM amateur radio repeater with a downlink on 437.800 MHz was activated on the International Space Statio.
The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) announcement reads:
The ARISS team is pleased to announce that set up and installation of the first element of our next generation radio system was completed and amateur radio operations with it are now underway. This first element, dubbed the InterOperable Radio System (IORS), was installed in the International Space Station Columbus module. The IORS replaces the Ericsson radio system and packet module that were originally certified for spaceflight on July 26, 2000.
Initial operation of the new radio system is in FM cross band repeater mode using an uplink frequency of 145.990 MHz with an access tone [CTCSS] of 67 Hz and a downlink frequency of 437.800 MHz. System activation was first observed at 01:02 UTC on September 2. Special operations will continue to be announced.
The IORS was launched from Kennedy Space Center on March 6, 2020 on board the SpaceX CRS-20 resupply mission. It consists of a special, space-modified JVC Kenwood D710GA transceiver, an ARISS developed multi-voltage power supply and interconnecting cables. The design, development, fabrication, testing, and launch of the first IORS was an incredible five-year engineering achievement accomplished by the ARISS hardware volunteer team. It will enable new, exciting capabilities for ham radio operators, students, and the general public. Capabilities include a higher power radio, voice repeater, digital packet radio (APRS) capabilities and a Kenwood VC-H1 slow scan television (SSTV) system.
A second IORS undergoes flight certification and will be launched later for installation in the Russian Service module. This second system enables dual, simultaneous operations, (e.g. voice repeater and APRS packet), providing diverse opportunities for radio amateurs. It also provides on-orbit redundancy to ensure continuous operations in the event of an IORS component failure.
Next-gen development efforts continue. For the IORS, parts are being procured and a total of ten systems are being fabricated to support flight, additional flight spares, ground testing and astronaut training. Follow-on next generation radio system elements include an L-band repeater uplink capability, currently in development, and a flight Raspberry-Pi, dubbed “ARISS-Pi,” that is just beginning the design phase. The ARISS-Pi promises operations autonomy and enhanced SSTV operations.
ARISS is run almost entirely by volunteers, and with the help of generous contributions from ARISS sponsors and individuals. Donations to the ARISS program for next generation hardware developments, operations, education, and administration are welcome — please go to https://www.ariss.org/donate.html to contribute to these efforts.
ARISS–Celebrating 20 years of continuous amateur radio operations on the ISS!
SOURCE:AMSAT
Review
MFJ-911H Balun Review 160-10 meters 300W
“Today on Hamradiocomms I review the excellent MFJ-911H Current Balon. Handles 160-10 meters 300W and has switchable 1:1 or 4:1 baluns. Makes po... Read more
Yaesu FT 817 – CAT, CW decoder, waterfall, frequency readout, audio filter and audio recording.
What this lad has done with this screen for the 817 is astounding. CAT, CW decoder, waterfall, frequency readout, audio filter and audio recording. Wh... Read more
Unboxing the BITX40 SSB QRP 40-Meter Kig
“I learned about the BitX-40 from Randy, K7AGE’s unboxing video and immediately placed an order. It arrived today a few weeks after I plac... Read more
Equipment
mercuryAT available in the next few days
List Price $795.00 km3km.com Read more
Palstar SP30H
The Palstar SP30H ultimate communications speaker is a custom engineered speaker designed to match the sonic characteristics of the human voice. The... Read more
Ailunce HS1 HF SDR HAM Transceiver
Ailunce HS1 Description: Spectrum Dynamic Waterfall Display Multiple Working Modes:Receive Mode, Transmit Mode, TUNE Mode, VFO Mode, SPLIT Mode DSP Di... Read more
TSG4100A RF Vector Signal Generator
The TSG4100A Series RF Vector Signal Generator offers mid-range performance and up to 200 MHz modulation bandwidth at an entry-level RF signal generat... Read more
YAESU – FT-857D
YAESU – FT-857D The FT-857D, the world’s smallest HF/VHF/UHF mobile transceiver, provides base station-type performance from... Read more
Antenna
New! 40m Rotating Dipole by G0KSC
G0KSC has again broken from tradition and introduced a new design, this time a 40m rotating dipole. The Delta C-140 is under 12m wide and despi... Read more
INAC AX-330 – HF Antenna
HF Antenna AX-330, is an antenna that covers the spectrum of HF of 3.4 Mhz. 30.5 MHz continuously. Two loops tuned remotely by two servo motors, fed s... Read more
10m Telescopic Flag Pole Antenna Support
The inside diameter of the 10m pole is just over 44mm which means you can internally sleeve a 44mm tube inside the pole to give you lots of options fo... Read more
Stealth Apartment Antenna for 20m and 40m!
by Scott W Harden “I have no money for a HF antenna, and even if I did my apartment complex wouldn’t allow it! This is my story, and while I’m... Read more
App - Mobile
Updated Android Digital QST App Now Available
A completely rebuilt digital QST app for the Android platform now is available from publisher Nxtbook Media, which responded to readers’ frustrations... Read more
CW QSO Simulator for iPhone and Android
This app is a real CW QSO simulator for ham radio operators. Supports “599BK style QSO”.In order to reproduce a realistic QSO environment,... Read more
AmsatDroidFree now open source
AmsatDroidFree satellite tracking App for Android devices is now open source. This App predicts future passes for amateur radio satellites for a speci... Read more
SmartSDR for iOS v2.1.0 Now Available
FlexRadio Systems announces the release of SmartSDR for iOS v2.1.0 is now available for download or update from the Apple App Store. This App requires... Read more
817 Companion for Yeasu 817 – App
Yeasu 817 The 817 Companion app is dedicated to all the proud owners and users of the Yeasu 817 amateur radio. The Yeasu 817 is a fantastic radio bu... Read more