The ISS amateur radio station is used for school contacts. You can check the current mode of operation on the AMSAT Satellite Status page.
The aim to start with is simply to listen to the sounds from the satellite. (Note: Packet digipeater is no longer active)Īstronaut Susan Helms KC7NHZ having a contact Voice and SSTV transmissions take place on 145.800 MHz FM, the AX.25 packet may be heard on 145.825 MHz FM. It can act as an AX.25 APRS Packet Repeater, voice repeater or transmit Slow Scan Television (SSTV) pictures. Much of the time the Space Station equipment operates in “automatic mode”.
A ¼ wave ground plane has a high angle of radiation and works well. As far as the antenna is concerned the simpler the better. Almost any 144 MHz FM rig will receive the ISS, you can even use a general coverage VHF scanner with an external antenna.