Thanks to some great work by the ARISS Team, a new Voice Repeater system is operating on the International Space Station (ISS)! Here is the access information…

Source: ISS Voice Repeater is QRV!

Thanks to some great work by the ARISS Team, a new FM Voice Repeater system is operating on the International Space Station!

The link above provides the details and the information needed to access the ISS Voice Repeater.

I was able to work several stations using the new Voice Repeater this morning. It is very sensitive and uses 5 watts of downlink power with a good antenna on the ISS. I was able to make solid contacts using the Ground Station here using only 1.5 watts uplink power when the ISS was at 10 degrees above the horizon. At least one of my contacts was with a station using an HT with a whip antenna!

The voice repeater is sensitive enough and uses a power level that will enable folks with an HT and a whip antenna to make contacts using the ISS when its close to the horizon. It should also be easy to make contacts using mobile rigs that can support cross-band operation as well. Program your radios!

I’m looking forward to working you through the ISS!

Fred, AB1OC