ISS Cross Band Repeater Off
The crossband repeater experiment, announced August 28, was shut down with the other ARISS gear September 2 in preparation for a September 3 space walk. The Amateur Radio equipment aboard the ISS will be powered back up no sooner than 1700 UTC on September 4, said ISS Ham Radio Project Engineer Ken Ransom, N5VHC.

Astronaut Mike Fincke [KE5AIT] reported hearing stations actively using the repeater over North America, the southern portion of South America, South Africa, Europe, Australia and Japan," Ransom said. Fincke himself made QSO's using the callsign NA1SS.

The Phase 2 gear was scheduled to return to RS0ISS packet operation following the space walk, but the repeater experiment could be back for a "repeat" performance. ARISS International Team Chairman Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, said the crossband repeater test provided an opportunity to further experiment with the ISS Amateur Radio system.


Updated: 04 Sep, 04