Category Archives: Space

Articles and other information related to Space Communications using Satellites, High-Altitude Balloons, Earth-Moon-Earth (EME), etc.

Digital, Featured, General, Newsletter, Space

An Amazing Recovery: ARISS Packet System Revives

Similar to the AO-7 satellite resurrection several years ago, the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) packet radio system on the International Space Station (ISS) has begun working again. NASA ISS Ham Radio Project Engineer Kenneth Ransom, N5VHO, said over the weekend that reports he’d received indicated that the NA1SS packet signal returned in mid-August.

Source: An Amazing Recovery: ARISS Packet System Revives

It appears that the 2m APRS digipeater on the ISS has come back to life! We’ll see if we can’t set up the digital side of our Portable Satellite Station at our Amateur Radio Exposition for Young People at the Boxboro Convention in September and give it a try!

Fred, AB1OC

Featured, General, Newsletter, Space, Station Equipment

Working IC-9700 Shown In Tokyo

Icom displayed three working demonstration units of the forthcoming IC-9700 VHF/UHF/1.2GHz transceiver, Icom Inc. at the Tokyo Hamfair, which took place in Ariake, Tokyo on August 25th – 26th.

Source: New Icom Amateur Products Shown at Tokyo Hamfair 2018

The IC-9700 is a new VHF/UHF radio that is based upon the Software Defined Radio (SDR) platform that Icom uses in the IC-7300 and IC-7610.

It looks like this is going to be an excellent radio for Satellite, EME, and other weak-signal work on the 2 m, 70 cm, and 23 cm bands. The IC-9700 features a pan adapter display which will be very useful for working contacts through linear satellites.

Based upon previous new Transceivers release by Icom, I would guess we are at least 8 months to a year away from the time when this radio will be offered for sale in the USA.

Here’s some video of the forthcoming  IC-9700 as well as other gear from Icom. The video also features other new products and updated Firmware capabilities from Icom. Enjoy!

Fred, AB1OC

 

Digital, Featured, General, Newsletter, Space

ARISS Packet Radio System Expected to be Back Late this Year

The currently silent packet radio system on the International Space Station could be back on the air by year’s end. Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) hardware team members have located an original duplicate of the packet module that had been in use on the International Space Station (ISS) before failing more than a year ago, after 17 years of service. With a new battery installed, the unit was tested and found to be functioning…

Source: ARISS Packet Radio System Expected to be Back Late this Year

It will be great to have the ISS ARPS digipeater back on the air again!

Fred (AB1OC)

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