ISS Fan Club

Hello Dosurfin,

Glad you found this site. As to being a "fan" I guess all that would be required would be an interest in the space station. That said, many here are licensed Amateur radio operators AKA "Hams." This allows us the opportunity and privilege to make 2 way radio contacts with the ISS. Once we can get the contact confirmed time in UTC, date, and frequency via a QSL card. We fire our card off to the respective address listed on this website. In a few weeks, we receive our much-awaited QSL card confirming our contact with the ISS. While I have not actually tried it, you could probably also get a QSL card as a SWL (short wave listener). This would require you actually listening to an ISS conversation with a ground station (ham). Then log the previously mentioned info UTC time, date, and possibly bit about the conversation, call letters of operators if possible. You would then again, send this to the respective address for you area along with a SASE self-addressed stamped envelope. As far as just listening goes, to catch the crew in actual voice contact normally only happens in their off duty hours. This is to say don't expect to hear them on every pass over your area. You can usually check this website to see at what times others copied them from your area of the world. You would also need to know their orbital path and times they would be in range of your area. This can be found on a number of websites. (Heavens Above is good) After all no point in listening, if they are out of range. As far as equipment to "listen" to them all that is required is a FM radio that will tune their downlink voice frequency 145.800mhz + or -. Even a cheap scanner will probably suffice. On a near overhead pass they are super easy to pick up on a handi-talky. For a farther away pass a little bit more antenna would possibly be required and a clear shot in their direction. Going from the Ham radio side of the picture there's tons of info on the web about getting you license, setting up a station and tips on making contacts with the ISS. There are even a few cool videos on You Tube. Hopefully I've not clouded the issue for you too much. I'm sure others can add more tips for you. Main thing is if your not a ham go for just listening for them. It's quite a thrill to just hear them on the air. Keep in mind you'll only hear their side of the conversation. To listen is great but actually making contact is better. I've been fortunate enough to make two contacts in the last few weeks. Both times when Col. Wheelock came back to me I pretty much fell apart like a dollar watch! Ha The ultimate thrill !!

Good Luck!

Hoke KB5RUZ

I had to wait for at least 8 months, but the wait was worth-wile. Too bad during the postage shipping my certificate got damaged (has a puncture hole in it)

Send the people an a-mail and just ask...

73', de PE1PQX André
http://www.pe1pqx.eu

usualy is 1 IRC

Thank you vy much~

This link has the info. http://www.issfanclub.com/node/8124

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

Someone else from ARISS beside Kenneth realized this website do exist...
Very good

Thanks Christophe, and please come back

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

I made contact with the ISS last August 26th and sent QSL card to the ARRL and Europe QSL managers. I haven't received response yet. What's up ??.

I QSO'ed with Bill on 3 Jan, sent in my QSL the next day and received his ISS card via the ARRL on March 4. Be patient; the card will arrive.

73 de
Gene Smar AD3F
Rockville, MD USA