I made CONTACT! UHF ISS Digipeater

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kzbin.info?s...
This was my second contact through the ISS digipeater. I actually contacted the same station I contacted in this video, W8LR, three days before, but I wasn't recording any video.
For this video I recorded the audio from my Kenwood TH-D72a and later played it back to Soundmodem+UISS. Soundmodem decodes many more packets than my radio does. I made a screen capture of UISS and its map so you can see the complete details of every received packet.
Another thing this video shows is how hard it can be to track a near overhead pass (close to 90 degrees elevation). When I was beginning in satellites I only tried to work overhead passes because I knew the signal would be strongest when the satellite was closest to me. While that is true, the closer the satellite is to you the faster its relative speed is. When it passes overhead it switches from coming towards you to going away from you very fast, and drops 10s of degrees in seconds. That makes the satellite very easy to lose track of.
In this video I got distracted while changing settings on my radio and lost the ISS after it went overhead. It didn't help that I was using a tripod for the first time. I prefer to hold the antenna in my hand precisecly because I find it's easier to track, as I can make quick adjustments and listen for the signal going up and down. To control the radio for packet, it helps to have two hands. See my previous UHF ISS digi video to see how hard it is to change settings with one hand.
Here is the very appropriate QSL card I got from W8LR for my first ISS digi contact:
imgur.com/vUfwkiE
imgur.com/DIq7fD4
Here are all the stations I heard on the pass from this video (time stamps GMT -5)
--------------
N4ZQ 12/18/2016 11:08:08 System time
KG4AKV-5 12/18/2016 11:08:13
W8LR 12/18/2016 11:09:02
KC4LE 12/18/2016 11:09:17
W0NBC 12/18/2016 11:11:07
RS0ISS 12/18/2016 11:11:38
W4TBD-6 12/18/2016 11:12:14
KA8YES-6 12/18/2016 11:12:52
Total Stations = 8
Thanks for watching,
73, John Brier KG4AKV
The music at the end is "Jubilee - Opa--locka"

[@detourrex92]

When discord servers are in maintence and you still need to communicate with your team

[@SpaceComms]

DEtour REX LOL

[@gregd6904]

hey! I gated that packet! KB3KBR here!!

[@SpaceComms]

Greg D No way! That's awesome. Well thank you very much!

[@markdoyle8713]

Really high video editing quality and format. In my opinion . Thank you. The split screens are amazing

[@SpaceComms]

Thank you so much! 73, John Brier KG4AKV

[@josephdurnal]

Awesome. The ack messages are automatic and generated by the aprs software or tnc. The number matches to a message number that is tagged on the end of your message and is hidden by the th-d72, but you can see it in the raw packets. The ack tells your th-d72 or other software to stop retransmitting the message. I look forward to seeing more videos like this!

[@SpaceComms]

Ah thank you! That makes perfect sense, what the numbers at the end of the ack are for. I don't have auto reply enabled on my TH-D72a. I think my next video will be a "UHF ISS Digipeater TH-D72 Programming Overview" video. I explained it, not step by step, but I showed all the relevant settings. after I recorded my first UHF ISS digipeater video. Did you see that? kzbin.info/www/bejne/raC2q31jhdl7aK8 73, John Brier KG4AKV

[@josephdurnal]

Your video inspired me to give it a try. I don't do much radio anymore but it was good to get back to it. Programming was easy, of course, I used the Kenwood software to do it, so that saved a lot of time. Heard 10 stations, including the ISS, my position and messages were digipeatd a few times, but it doesn't look like any of the recipients heard the messages, because, no acks (didn't see any acks via the Internet feed) If you would like to try a schedule anytime over the next few days, you can e-mail me first.last name that you see here at gmail.com. 73 de Joe NE3R

[@SpaceComms]

Glad to hear you got through. I have yet to use the software, but I'm considering using it to backup my settings, reset the radio, and then show step by step how to program the radio for this by hand. I prefer using the radio over software. I'll let you know about a sked if I can do it.

[@TheSlowpC]

Congratulations again and great work on the video and the contacts! Just ordered my cable and soon an arrow :)

[@SpaceComms]

Thank you! Sweet! I hope you love the Arrow antenna as much as I do. 73, John Brier KG4AKV

[@waswestkan]

CQ short hand for seek you long before ICQ was an internet thing. My first digital satellite contact was using MIR.. One time I happened to catch the cosmonauts live, but was to late to respond before LOS.

[@marcisberzins]

I had my very first packet digipeated via 2-meter ISS Digipeater about a week ago. All the steps covered in this video seems quite familiar for me too. :) I am using handheld without APRS built in, all packet work is done by software, the same UISS program (and UZ7HO Soundmodem). Very important thing when using radio without APRS capabilities is to properly adjust audio level that goes from computer to radio (TX). It is quite touchy thing, at least for my VX-6 but it make a difference between not getting into the Digipeater with 6-element Yagi antenna versus QRV with a 40 cm (16 inches) whip (RH-771). Again, I am talking about 145 Mc frequency. DE YL3GU, Marcis.

[@SpaceComms]

Congratulations! I have really been enjoying IO-117 / GreenCube for digipeating lately. ISS passes are so short. With a handheld it is tedious to hold antenna and send packets.

[@terryadams8012]

I have never tried packet. After watching this video I am going to give it a try. I do believe my Kenwood TM-V71A will do packet operation. Thanks for the video, a few years old but still very useful.

[@SpaceComms]

The TM-V71A does not have an internal TNC so you would have to provide that functionality externally. That can be done but I don't have experience with it. There are Bluetooth/android interfaces for example. The TM-D710 has an internal TNC though.

[@CamillaHerlevich]

Congratulations on hitting the 1000 mark!!

[@SpaceComms]

Camilla Herlevich Haha! Thanks Mom! ;-)

[@26CW128Jake]

Congratulations John!

[@SpaceComms]

Thank you!

[@HJCF0520]

Great job!

[@SpaceComms]

HJCF0520 Thanks! 73, John Brier KG4AKV

[@K3RRR]

Congrats on the 1,000 subscribers and the new video, John! Would love to see you do a tutorial video on the UISS software since I have yet to be able to find one. (I have the Pro version of the software but have yet to try to dig into it so that I can use it with the ISS.)

[@SpaceComms]

K3RRR Thanks! You're the second person to ask for a tutorial on UISS. So far I've only used it to receive, never send. I think I could trigger TX from UISS to one of my radios using VOX. We shall see...

[@affanorama]

hey congratulations on 1000 subscribers

[@SpaceComms]

Thank you Affan! 73, John Brier KG4AKV

[@itswift]

John, congrats on 1000 subs. I've been using a tripod from the start, and have found its easier to tilt the entire rig on 2 legs to get the max el on 90 degree passes, then I rotate the entire rig 180 degrees to track the decent. Still not a single contact, I think my sorry excuse for radios were to blame. My first try with my new 710 got me into the iss digipeater on the first try, though.... Hope to contact you on the air shortly.

[@SpaceComms]

Thanks Roy! Interesting technique there with the tripod. That makes sense. If I were to use one to track most of my passes I would want to get one that had 360 degree control. Right now mine is a photo tripod, I would want a video tripod to make it more easy to control (one handle to move left/right and up/down). Congrats on the D710. I would love to have that. I have the TM-V71 and it has the same radio/base, just with a less intelligent control head. Apparently you can buy the D710 control head separate and hook up to the base that comes with the V71. Very smart design Kenwood did. I hope to work you soon too.

[@mysticwolve4018]

next day the fbi knocks at your door for interfearing with iss

[@jamesjzelaznyjr910]

For what,legally using the onboard system on the ISS put there for licensed radio operators? F the FBI too !!! They are the criminals anyhow !

[@themusicneedsyou]

Happy 1K John!!! 73 KK6VTW

[@SpaceComms]

Thank you!

[@26CW128Jake]

Nice logo John, You must be awesome with image editors!

[@SpaceComms]

Standard Science I have a really good friend. ;-)

[@26CW128Jake]

Space Comms Of course you do 😉

[@muhammedsahad4245]

Space Comms

[@Supercazzola]

I have the same HT as you and man I wish there was a tutorial on (1) how to get it ready for the quick paced navigation you will need to do in real time in ISS QSO, (2) best messages / text to store to make it easier, and (3) a webpage with screenshots for making UISS and soundmodem work with ISS

[@SpaceComms]

My next video will likely be "UHF ISS Digipeater TH-D72 Programming Overview." After I recorded my other video, "New UHF ISS Digipeater!", I showed all the relevant settings I made on my TH-D72. It's not step by step, but it's a good start. As for messages, I just have two "phrases" stored. Basically a "Hi this is KG4AKV, do you copy?" and "73 thanks for the contact." When I made this contact I didn't even use the second one. To make a contact, all you really need to do at a minimum is send a message to someone, and then have that person respond to you. APRS includes callsigns. But you can make it more complete if you want to with more stored phrases. UISS and soundmodem aren't too bad to setup. You just start Soundmodem first and then open UISS. I think I had to change one setting in UISS preferences to make it connect to soundmodem.

[@TheLightningStalker]

Cool so did I.

[@PeterBruyneel-ON5US]

Hi, love to watch your video's about packet-QSO's via ISS or other satellites and just subscribed to your SpaceComms channel. In a video you said you had to change the frequency manually (doppler shift) with the portable you used at that moment. I wonder what portables you have that change the frequency automatically. Do you know if the Kenwood TH-D74E (74A in America) has this function onboard? Couldn't find anything about that in the manual. I wonder how the portable knows how to change the frequency. I guess it has to know the pass of the satellite (depending on your position) and it also has to know your position. Or maybe you have to calculate it on the computer and program it to the portable. 73, Peter - ON5US

[@SpaceComms]

Peter Bruyneel Hi Peter, Thanks for subscribing. I didn't mean to suggest some handhelds can adjust frequency to compensate for doppler shift automatically. In fact I am almost certain none will. Not aware of any you can control the frequency of via a computer. For FM only radios it is usually manual compensation. Not an issue normally as for 2m you almost don't have to change at all, and 70cm you only have yo change a few steps through the whole pass.

[@WadeAbout]

Hey. Great video. Have you done a precursor video before showing set up. That would be cool. How did you access that pre written message on your ht to tx. Thanks. Wade VK1MIC

[@SpaceComms]

It is called a phrase. Should be in the manual. Sorry for super late reply.

[@nettyvoyager6336]

bikini state is also a call sign for a military base

[@LoidHDGaming]

I know I am missing something, but how is this more impressive than talking to someone over the internet?

[@SpaceComms]

Fluffy 3D It's not for everyone but the one thing that makes ham radio different than the internet is the considersble lack of infrastructure required to talk to people. Ham radio satellite comms obviously requires a satellite and that is not a trivial amount of infrastructure but in ham radio we also have HF (shortwave) where we can bounce signals off the ionosphere all over the world with zero infra inbetween each station. Even our sats are relatively simple and are probably easier to maintain/more dependable than commercial sats. There is also the fun with having to build/configure/learn in order to make it all work. Some people sew crochet their own garments even though they can buy machine made ones easily.

[@jojopri22]

Hello, thanks for the video. I just wanna know if i can use the kenwood Th-d74a and what other stuff i need to learn pocket sending. 73! Jojo KM6EHD

[@SpaceComms]

See the two links on this page: sats.wikidot.com/how-do-i-set-up-my-radio-to-work-the-iss-aprs-digipeater

[@JJRicks]

This is amazing! I always wondered what the packet radio was! I have some recordings, do you have the spare time to decode them? They're on my channel if you want

[@SpaceComms]

I decoded it. See your video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/roDIdmt_qN5mjJI&lc=Ugx_EkBFSN4kn_bz88R4AaABAg

[@yannimail]

I think he might be or was a cop a 10-27 police code means drivers license information. maybe he meant I got your info! (27 I received your information.)

[@7125Mhz]

You guys are cool. 73! KM4ZCU.

[@SpaceComms]

Thanks! 73, John Brier KG4AKV

[@hl9gykorea679]

Can you use UISS to transmit APRS packets as well as receive? I tried setting up UISS with AGWPE and had zero success.

[@SpaceComms]

Yes you can.

[@mrnobody9714]

How do i listen to the iss...what frequency ..im useing boafang uv-5r set on 145.800??

[@SpaceComms]

That is the frequency for voice and SSTV. The digipeater is on 145.825 MHz.

[@highflowhighflow9896]

when those digi modes did came in so fast it was pretty over and out with my hobby, i was used to real audio contacts over the world and i not have fun if thats all digital. sadly ham radio destroied itself in that way.

[@ve3efq]

I have been trying without any success to get my APRS packet through PSAT; I can receive APRS packets with my home made yagi. But, nothing I tx has made it. Are you adjusting the digi-path, changing it from, say, wide-1, wide-2, for something specific for the sats? I was reading around and saw this claim made a few times. Do you have a video where you go into the details about the APRS settings that are required?

[@SpaceComms]

VE3EFQ The path for the ISS digipeater (currently and indefinitely down btw) and PSAT is "ARISS".

[@ve3efq]

Ok; thanks; I'll give it another try. Your ISS SSTV video was great too - I've put SSTV on my list of things to try now too - I've not done that before, satellite or otherwise.

[@SpaceComms]

VE3EFQ Cool. Just be aware ISS SSTV is not on all the time. They are special events a few times a year.

[@ve3efq]

Understood. I'll see if I can get some terrestrial ones in the meantime.

[@streamertyer]

FYI -- 'de' = from (French, derived from Morse shorthand)

[@SpaceComms]

Hah! I see that here: www.wordreference.com/fren/de Thank you! I think I assumed it was "this is" because that's what people say on voice where they might otherwise say 'de' in morse or other digital modes. Thanks again for the info, 73, John Brier KG4AKV

[@nerocat4044]

Hey :D im in radio astronomy too Im from SOSA and im new in crew. I catch one time iss on antenna and it was awesome. What do you use for connecting the antena to pc? RTL-SDR or something other?

[@SpaceComms]

DragCat Studio I have the handheld radio and it does decoding internally. For the video I also decode it after the fact using a soundmodem on the computer by playing a recording of the audio I made.

[@SpaceComms]

DragCat Studio I explain that at 0:40.

[@adamb6646]

Hello, I know this is a little old, but hopefully you're still checking comments. Do you have a resource that explains how to send the APRS messages? I have several phrases saved in my D72A, but I can't figure out how to actually send them...

[@SpaceComms]

WD9EWK posted this on the AMSAT mailing list. It is what you need: The AMSAT Journal ran an article on how to use a TH-D74 with the APRS digipeater satellites, which also covered the TH-D72: www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/AMSAT_Journal_KenwoodHT_Packet.pdf In addition, I wrote an article for QST that had the settings that needed to be set to work the digipeaters like those on the ISS: www.dropbox.com/sh/v3byggtuqw33fkk/AACObUDxtNk85lm6XyRcWOeqa/Articles/Making_Digital_Contacts_through_ISS-QST-201812.pdf?dl=0

[@moondogster]

How did you connect your antenna to the camera tripod?

[@SpaceComms]

Thanks for your comment. Here you go: "Under the foam grip, the boom is drilled & tapped with a 1/4-20 hole for most camera tri-pods." Source: arrowantennas.com/arrowii/146-437.html 73, John Brier KG4AKV

[@moondogster]

Thanks.....for making me spend more money on another aspect of this hobby. ;)

[@SpaceComms]

You're welcome ;-)

[@nathanarnold6029]

Hi! Nice video. What antenna are you using?

[@SpaceComms]

Hello! I used the Arrow II Satellite antenna with the 2 meter elements removed since I just needed 70cm. arrowantennas.com/arrowii/146-437.html 73, John Brier KG4AKV

[@nathanarnold6029]

Thanks very much for the information!

[@themafew26]

yaaay

[@TommyTheHeist]

Ok, I just stumbled upon this video and correct me if im wrong, but using this, you can contact other "stations", other people somewhere on earth and just chat with them?

[@SpaceComms]

Tommy The Heist Yes. See my explanation about how it's different from the internet in response to Fluffy 3D above.

[@petbytes7167]

Good stuff! Thanks...K6KNS

[@terrybondy5458]

How did you set-up you Kenwood HT for this? Do you have a link? Thanks!

[@SpaceComms]

Yup sats.wikidot.com/how-do-i-set-up-my-radio-to-work-the-iss-aprs-digipeater

[@SpaceComms]

Also sats.wikidot.com/how-to-digipeat

[@26CW128Jake]

Hey John! Are you planning on making a video on BY70-1?

[@SpaceComms]

Not sure if you're referencing my tweet/FB post but in case you aren't, I just tried to work it but failed. I recorded a little Twitter video explaining why I failed: twitter.com/johnbrier/status/814881202536644608 I recorded the whole pass with my GoPro and DSLR to make a KZbin video too. I am pretty sure my next video will be "UHF ISS Digipeater TH-D72 Programming Overview." But I may make a BY-70-1 video after that.

[@26CW128Jake]

Space Comms Ah, I see. Well unlucky for that, but I look forward to the next videos, happy new year.

[@SpaceComms]

Happy new year to you too!

[@koolerpure]

I feel like we could have designed this system a little better, me being clueless here can’t understand what is happening

[@robertchambers5821]

Is it possible to APRS Voice using the ISS digipeter?

[@SpaceComms]

Robert Chambers I don't know what APRS voice is. Is that a thing?

[@robertchambers5821]

I'm referring to aprs voice alert

[@SpaceComms]

It's just a digipeater like one on the ground except it's much higher. From my brief reading of APRS voice alert it seems the concept is for facilitating local communications while driving down the highway. Mostly it relies on simplex APRS packets with CTCSS. The ISS digipeater doesn't use CTCSS. A digipeater that covers an area thousands of miles across would probably not be best to use for people trying to find each other that are less than one hundred miles a part. The main use case for the digipeater is what you see in this video.

[@miquel9898]

I like UISS software but i hate it needs more money to spend :( :)

[@arro140]

the new iPhone

[@Jordan-fj9lj]

y is it down

[@SpaceComms]

Jordan The radio that powers it barely functions. They are sending a new one up this year but it will also have a crossband repeater which they may use more than the digipeater. We shall see.

[@26CW128Jake]

Hey John (Again, I know), I was wondering if you were interested in using a logo that I have made for you? I'll send you an email if you're interested? 73!

[@SpaceComms]

Standard Science I'd love to see it!

[@26CW128Jake]

Space Comms this may be a stupid question... But what is your email?

[@SpaceComms]

Standard Science [e-mail] It's on my qrz.com profile too.

[@Ryptun]

You got Windows 7 on Mac?

[@SpaceComms]

Ryptun No I have a PC and a MacBook. Mostly use the MacBook for MacDoppler because it makes pretty satellite simulations.

[@kurtreber9813]

"de" = "from"

[@seanbarker9272]

I'm completely ignorant, what is the point to this when we have the internet. What is it used for etc?

[@SpaceComms]

Sean Barker My answer to the same question from Fluffy 3D above: "Fluffy 3D It's not for everyone but the one thing that makes ham radio different than the internet is the considersble lack of infrastructure required to talk to people. Ham radio satellite comms obviously requires a satellite and that is not a trivial amount of infrastructure but in ham radio we also have HF (shortwave) where we can bounce signals off the ionosphere all over the world with zero infra inbetween each station. Even our sats are relatively simple and are probably easier to maintain/more dependable than commercial sats. There is also the fun with having to build/configure/learn in order to make it all work. Some people sew crochet their own garments even though they can buy machine made ones easily."

[@eternalmiasma5586]

Fun

[@SpaceComms]

Alice Trans Queen Accurate.

[@seanbarker9272]

Space Comms thanks for getting back to me, I think it would be useful in an emergency disaster scenario tbf

[@SpaceComms]

Sean Barker You're welcome. Emergency comms is exactly right. That's one of the justifications for support of the service by the government (FCC/congress). The other is to advance the art/technology of radio/electronics.

[@g8sbs944]

hahaha i made contact with the space station in the 80s on VHF and have a QSL Card to prove it im licences Radio Ham Operator in the UK

[@timhooper1557]

FireFly... In the UK we don't call ourselves Radio Ham Operators that's american. here in the UK we called ourselves C.B Operators!!!

[@Spookieham]

@@timhooper1557 no you don't you are Amateurs in the UK

[@timhooper1557]

@@Spookieham Stick to racing F1

[@Spookieham]

@@timhooper1557 nah it's flying I was shit at

[@alexandrchernigovskiy5894]

Ни чё не понял, но интересно👍

[@SpaceComms]

LOL

[@DamianAI9]

Is this not Elegal?

[@SpaceComms]

What is Elegal?

[@DamianAI9]

@@SpaceComms sorry bad enlish my question was "is that legal?"

[@SpaceComms]

@@DamianAI9 It is legal. They have ham radio equipment on the ISS mostly so astronauts can talk to students at schools but also for random hams on the ground. Check out www.ariss.org to learn more.

[@DamianAI9]

@@SpaceComms thank you i didn't know that i will try that to

[@RayCity2O11]

หยึกหยักๆ ๆ ๆ ๆๆ ๆๆ ๆๆ ๆๆๆ ๆ ๆๆ ๆๆ. ๆๆ.

[@SpaceComms]

คุณต้องการความช่วยเหลืออะไร?

[@mrcorndog625]

Fake!

[@brokensoap1717]

- your proof?

[@mrcorndog625]

It wouldn't be that easy or people would just hack it.

[@brokensoap1717]

That isnt proof of anything Listening is one thing hacking is another

[@williamlimyx]

LOL HACK UR ASS THIS IS HAM RADIO