ISS Fan Club

Thanks for the reply, Ken , and I understand that, but have tried until so-called "blue in the face"
to have success with 145.8/144.49 for over a year with 45 watts into a GP3 vertical at home, but have had
success with the home rig in 437.8/145.8 as mentioned. Just never succeeded mobile (car or w/c)
(Yes, I am aware of RF proximity dangers to the noggin/eyes - already had Cataract surgery in my
late 40's from working high-power (Pre-OSHA?) RF Radiated susceptibility and other stupidly unprotected tests
in shielded EMI/RFI rooms in 60's-70's, not to mention checking if a Base Radar was running by holding up a
flourescent light in the main lobe! ahhh, youth.. :-) )

One cool fellow from this group wrote me directly this AM and I like his idea of using an "Arrow" antenna with the W/C,
so need to add that to my search list. :-)

So, like many post-polio folks, I am rather goal-driven and want to be able to do at least the 145.8/437.8
from the W/C and maybe the 145.8/144.49 if I move the rig to the XYL's car (that's why small or 2-piece needed,
actually - for both W/C and her small HHR. :-) )

BUT: The root question I asked still remains: From this gathering's wide knowledge, I am asking WHICH older
"mobile" rigs will support the 145.8/437.8 crossband operation, by PTT (monitor 145/transmit 437 BY PTT,
not knob/switch manipulation with my hand/wrist complications) Then I can search E-Bay or RR for those rigs! :-)

There is another small reason. I worked Comm/Nav/GNC Systems on Shuttle and ISS before my disAbility-retirement
in 1995 and while able enough, have one last goal datapoint - to ACTUALLy talk via VHF TO an astro on the ISS!
I did work with Owen (W5LFL) on the first + Ham antenna tests on Shuttle ports in late 70's, but never tried aloft.. :-) )

But as one fellow told me - many, including himself, are running over a KW ERP! - So we who have low power just
have to keep trying, as I have done, and I am sure many others here have done, and will do whenever opportunity arises.

That's well-integrated into the spirit of Ham Radio.. :-)

73
Tom,W4NOV
w4nov.us
rettysnitch.org
Retired NASA-KSC STS and ISS COMM/Nav and EPS Systems P.E.

Regarding a specific older rig, the only one I can talk to is the Kenwood 733. Dual band (TX 437.8 up and RX 145.80) by just using the mic. Still need headphones. It will also support 144.49/145.80 ops.

I've worked the ISS on a watt with a vertical but It was because I was ready and the footprint was NOT mostly over the USA. I can work the repeater mobile on the whip or with a D7 using an arrow. That helps with the 2 meter only ops due to the gain advantage and if you bypass the diplexor, you could run 10 w right out the end.

Folks with tracking systems and higher power are going to get in when they want but with some careful planning and being available (many miss passes because they didn't expect any activity) you should be able to acheive your goal.

Kenneth - N5VHO
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/reference/radio/
Support ARISS http://www.amsat-na.com/store/donation.php (select "Human Spaceflight (ARISS))

Understand.. I use the same philosophy, Ken - Trying at home when the access should be optimum, keeping in mind that my Comet
vertical has a moderately low angle of radiation, and there are windows of opportunity that are not apparent entirely from
trackings and (in my North GA 1550' elevation with roughly NNE to WSW exposure) I have made 437/145 mini-qso's quite
far out from using low-angle shots - I swore I heard Charles answer my call - something "...OV" with a comment about "don't usually
get a station that far away" the day before he left and ISS was over TX area heading SSE, but never heard the rest.. Probably wishful
hoping on my part.. :-) - DO their VHF voice communication "logs" ever get published?

Going to try and find that Kenwood 733 you mention - OLD and Small.. :-)

73 es G'Bless..

Tom, NASA-KSC ISS/STS Systems P.E.(ret'd)
W4NOV (ex WN1VBZ, W1WJR, A1WJR, O1AK/mm) :-)
XYL WA1LUT
Son KB4OMO
Dad (SK) K1EEL
Uncle (SK) W1FWK
GrandDad (SK) 1TM (Spark)
http://w4nov.com (and .us)