From Phys.org (article at https://phys.org/news/2020-12-earthlings-astronauts-chat-ham-radio.html) NASA astronaut Doug Wheelock was just a few weeks into his six-month mission at the space station when feelings of isolation began to set in. Wheelock would be separated from loved ones, save for communication via an internet phone, email or social media. At times, the stress and tension of serving as the station's commander could be intense. One night, as he looked out a window at the Earth below, he remembered the space station's ham radio. He figured he'd turn it on—see if anyone was listening. "Any station, any station, this is the International Space Station," Wheelock said. A flood of voices jumbled out of the airwaves. ....
I posted a similar article from the LA Times yesterday in the Satellites Forum. It has a picture of that antenna. https://forums.qrz.com/index.php?th...lking-to-random-people-over-ham-radio.740833/
it must get lonely up there and probably a little boring. Im glad they have ham radios so they can talk to people.
Whenever the ISS astronauts have time to man up the ham rig, it always translates to a wonderful time for hams that QSO with them. They aren't just up there to play ham radio ... so any time they share with us is just a major treat! God bless 'em all!!
You know I'm wondering what type of antenna array they are going to use when we finally establish that moon base in a few years. I'm thinking VHF somewhere on SSB looking forward to that one...
At 25 Aug 2010 Doug, Misha, Sasha and Fyodor sing Happy Birthday to me via ISS at my birthday, he promess to me 2 months earlier during other random QSO and he did! I never heard nothing similar, 4 astronauts sing happy birthday from ISS , Doug mentioned it in some interviews around world, I still receive emails from friends that heard in person on internet Dougn mentioning this contact. It was amazing and my BEST moment on amateur radio in 26 years. Unfortunatly I never meet Doug in person yet. I attached the file if want to listen, hope it works 73 to all and Merry Christmass CT7ABD
hi, the same with our italian astronaut Luca Parmitano ( for 2 times on the ISS and in the last was the commander ! ) NO ham-radio , but at the end of his mission take the mike and ..... make over 330 QSO with amateur radio on the Earth , great !! 73 de IW2BSF
Antenna wise, a rubber duckie would work. It's line of site. Gives ALL new meaning to skywave. I've got ISS repeater but never the crew themselves.
calling us earthlings seems rather degrading is he so much better just because he is in space I think not more classification & division tactics
Are you other than an earthling? Haven't heard any thing else on the bands. Maybe your rig works better than mine.