Using the Kenwood TH-D72 for APRS via ISS 🛰️ (how-to & walk-thru)

Here’s how you can use a Kenwood TH-D72 amateur radio transceiver to send and receive APRS packets using the International Space Station (ISS).
I recently acquired the discontinued Kenwood TH-D72, which is unique in the fact that it's a full duplex radio - meaning that one can transmit and receive at the same time. I recently did a KZbin short ( • Working the ISS Repeat... ) where I demonstrated working the FM repeater on the ISS using full duplex, but will create a more detailed video in the future. In this video, we're going to focus on APRS.
In addition to the FM repeater (callsign NA1SS) onboard the ISS, they also have a full-time digipeater powered by a Kenwood TM-D710 using the callsign RS0ISS. It operates on a frequency of 145.825 MHz simplex. Watch along as I demonstrate using APRS using both a terrestrial digipeater and the digipeater onboard the ISS. There's just a few important settings that need to be made in order for this to work: 1. The correct frequency of 145.825 and 2. The Packet Path needs to be ARISS. I'll cover those settings and some others that are optional.
Equipment used: Kenwood TH-D72 HT, Arrow 2m/70cm handheld yagi antenna, GoSatWatch for iOS.
Thanks for watching and 73,
Joe KI4ASK
PS - Please subscribe, like, comment, and share this video so that other fine folks like yourself will have access to this content. This video was shot on an iPhone and edited using iMovie on the same iPhone.

[@Mike_N6MST]

I used this video as a guide to beacon to the ISS this afternoon and was able to get through with just a whip antenna on a 30 degree pass. Thanks for the great instructions!

[@KI4ASK]

Awesome and congratulations. 73

[@rcoulas67]

Joe, thanks for doing the video. I just acquired an almost unused D72 that I will use primarily for satellites. The video was helpful for set-up and seeing the antenna adapter was worth its weight in gold! 73 VE3JO

[@KI4ASK]

The D72 is a great radio that’s aged well, even though they don’t make it anymore. I’m not sure why more manufacturers aren’t making full duplex radios. 73

[@lwhited1]

Hi Joe. Just traded for a D72 so I can do full duplex. Will do APRS too with my new Arrow 2. Thanks for the great video! . Larry, AB4NX

[@KI4ASK]

Right on! 73 Larry

[@oldpreach]

Go joe! I made the video in your aprs log, nice. Ty for the great video. Sorry I left the digipeater setting turned on.

[@KI4ASK]

APRS is fun Don. Thanks.

[@VA7BC]

Awesome tutorial! Thanks very much Joe. 73 de Greg

[@KI4ASK]

Thanks Greg.

[@michaelditurno4372]

That is a great looking rig - a classic. 73 kc8owl

[@KI4ASK]

Indeed it’s a classic and I should probably use it for the next #aprsthursday

[@MATTHEWPRUESSING-wd7yl]

I am new and have one of these raids and and just ordered my arrow ant would appreciate another video showing how to put in your pre-saved messages, and how to send them they were just out of screen on what buttons you pushed in this video

[@KI4ASK]

Good idea. I know from experience not to put too much in a single video, but that would make for a good follow-on topic. What I might do is set my D72 next to the D74 and message between them showing how it works for both radios. Same principle applies for sending the messages via ISS. Thanks for the idea, stay tuned.

[@oldpreach]

🎉🎉🎉

[@ae4xo]

One of the coolest things I have ever done was to leave a packet message on the soviet space station R0MIR. Then 90 minutes I came back and got my message from them. Best QSL card I ever got back

[@KI4ASK]

That’s very cool 🛰️

[@Mike_N6MST]

@ae4xo Mir is the way I was introduced to amateur radio in the early 90's, actually. Blew my 10 year-old mind that you could talk to spacemen on the radio!