Is anyone actually in control of the amateur radio on the ISS
I don't mean to sound ungrateful about having access to ariss, but the system is so hit and miss, with no actual list or notice of what is and what isn't working and when things will be turned on and when things will be turned off.
Do the folks in charge of amateur system just throw darts at a big chart on the wall with squares saying turn on packet, turn on voice , turn off everything, turn everything on in sequence for odd times and durations?
what exactly is the reasoning behind the impossible to follow and plan for schedule.
I think these folks are the same ones who designed the layout of cell phone bills, making them impossible to understand.
Is anyone actually in charge?
Seriously?
canoeman – Sun, 2010 – 05 – 09 00:34
Where is the schedule for
Where is the schedule for the radio at YOUR house posted? I don't seem to find it anywhere on the internet! Actually, the radio on ISS is alot like the radio at your house. The person in charge is the control operator. Who is that at your house? When a ham buddy comes over and wants to use your rig, does he post his intentions to some place for people to scrutinize? Ham radio on ISS is mostly for the use of the standing crew. When they aren't using it to make contact with family/friends and are feeling generous, we get to relay aprs packets off of it or crossband repeat through it. Would you complain when your ham neighbor turned off his repeater because he had other uses for it? Be kind. Rewind.
73
AB0XK de Bob
Crew preference
The amateur radio on the ISS is not remote controlled so no one on the ground activates or deactivates the system. The crew is who is in control of the the radio. The crew personnel change every 2-4 months so the support for the system waxes and wanes according to interest and crew dynamics.
The radio is turned off as a safety precaution prior to each vechile docking or undocking to the Russian segment (like the progress undocking today) and for every EVA. When there is a lot of vehicle traffic or numerous EVAs planned then the radio is often off for extended periods of time.
Kenneth - N5VHO
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/reference/radio/
Support ARISS http://www.amsat-na.com/store/donation.php (select "Human Spaceflight (ARISS))
so basically , no one is in control
Sooooo basically, no one is in control, and there is absolouteley no plan, or schedule what so ever, for this incredible resourse. wow.
Hmmmm.
Surley there must be some way to manage this resource effectivley.
I would think the time of these incredibly busy space professionals, would be far too valuable to waste on ariss operations.
you would think there would be thousands of volunteer hams, or communication specialists that would love to manage this system from the ground.
just a thought.
maybee operate similar to Amateur Satellites.
ke6anm
Fishing
One of the aspects of this hobby is the "sporting" aspect. Going after a rare contact is very much like fishing. It requires a few things. First is tthe proper equipment. In this case simple is good. A basic two meter rig, 25 yo 50 watts and a simple vertical antenna. I have heard of stations working ARISS with an HT. The point to remember about making a contact with ISS is that you never know when the station will be active. Just like you never know when fish will be the area. Just like using a "fish finder" in a lake, tracking web sites such as the one used here will help. But the most important tool in your "tackle box" is Patience and lots of it!
There is no effective way to manage this resource. The crew of the space station operate when they have some down time, unless there is a prearranged schedule. As yet I have not had a contact with the ISS, but I just started "fishing" a few days ago. I have conficence that I will soon have a coveted QSL card from the station. Best of luck to all, and see you on the bands!
73's
Wa4fma
like fishing
I understand the idea that its exciting to make contact, and that the crew is busy.
but wouldn't it be better to have some sort of primitive schedule enacted, to make contacting or using ariss equipment. or at the very least have any kind of notification that the system is on and in what mode, other then just sitting around waiting, for other hams to hear it.
I'm positive that nothing happens on the station with out that info being passed on to ground crews.
It would just make sense for the iss to share this info somewhere, online.
even the smallest amsats have schedules or mode status listings.
but I get it, this is a completely un-managed asset.
I get it.