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How to Call Space Station Astronauts on the Radio - Contact the ISS
Contact the ISS
How to Call Space Station Astronauts on the Radio
A ground station contains a device capable of both transmitting and receiving radio waves near the 145 megahertz frequency. The ISS radio transmits signals at 145.80 MHz and receives signals at either 144.49 or 145.20 MHz, depending on its orbital location.
Some ISS crew members make random, unscheduled, amateur radio voice contacts with earth-bound radio amateurs, often called "hams". They can make radio contacts during their breaks, pre-sleep time and before and after mealtime. Astronauts have contacted thousands of hams around the world. The work schedules of the ISS crew dictate when they are able to operate the radios. The crew's usual waking period is 0730 - 1930 UTC. The most common times to find a crew member making casual periods are about one hour after waking and before sleeping, when they have personal time. They're usually free most of the weekend, as well. (The current crew work schedule is published on the NASA website.)
Want to talk to an astronaut in space? Thanks to the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program, you may be able to. There's a ham radio on board the space station, and about 45 times a year, crew members tune in and hold Q&A sessions with groups of people (usually students) from around the world.
ISS Frequencies List
How to Call Space Station Astronauts on the Radio
A ground station contains a device capable of both transmitting and receiving radio waves near the 145 megahertz frequency. The ISS radio transmits signals at 145.80 MHz and receives signals at either 144.49 or 145.20 MHz, depending on its orbital location.
Some ISS crew members make random, unscheduled, amateur radio voice contacts with earth-bound radio amateurs, often called "hams". They can make radio contacts during their breaks, pre-sleep time and before and after mealtime. Astronauts have contacted thousands of hams around the world. The work schedules of the ISS crew dictate when they are able to operate the radios. The crew's usual waking period is 0730 - 1930 UTC. The most common times to find a crew member making casual periods are about one hour after waking and before sleeping, when they have personal time. They're usually free most of the weekend, as well. (The current crew work schedule is published on the NASA website.)
Want to talk to an astronaut in space? Thanks to the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program, you may be able to. There's a ham radio on board the space station, and about 45 times a year, crew members tune in and hold Q&A sessions with groups of people (usually students) from around the world.
ISS Frequencies List
The Amateur Radio Q-Code
The Amateur Radio Q-Code
REPRINTED 2018
First Twelve Q Codes Listed in the 1912 International Radiotelegraph Convention Regulations
| Code | Question | Answer or Notice |
|---|---|---|
| QRA | What ship or coast station is that? | This is ____. |
| QRB | What is your distance? | My distance is ____. |
| QRC | What is your true bearing? | My true bearing is ____ degrees. |
| QRD | Where are you bound for? | I am bound for ____. |
| QRF | Where are you bound from? | I am bound from ____. |
| QRG | What line do you belong to? | I belong to the ____ Line. |
| QRH | What is your wavelength in meters? | My wavelength is ____ meters. |
| QRJ | How many words have you to send? | I have ____ words to send. |
| QRK | How do you receive me? | I am receiving (1–5) where 1 is unreadable and 5 is perfect. |
| QRL | Are you busy? | I am busy. |
| QRM | Are you being interfered with? | I am being interfered with. |
| QRN | Are the atmospherics strong? | Atmospherics are very strong. |
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q_code
Signal Question Answer, Advice or Order
QRG Will you indicate my exact frequency in kilocycles? Your frequency is ... kc.
QRH Does my frequency vary? Your frequency varies.
QRI How is the tone of my transmission? The tone of your transmission is ...
1. Good.
2. Variable.
HAM Radio International Phonetic Alphabet
HAM Radio International Phonetic Alphabet
Proper Phonetics!
I have a pet peeve. I wish that amateurs would always use the accepted ITU approved phonetic alphabet when phonetics are used. Hams in all countries generally understand the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) phonetic alphabet. It is used when signing your call or passing information that must be spelled out.
NATO/ITU Phonetic Alphabet
A - Alfa
B - Bravo
C - Charlie
D - Delta
E - Echo
F - Foxtrot
G - Golf
H - Hotel
I - India
J - Juliet
K - Kilo
L - Lima
M - Mike
N - November
O - Oscar
P - Papa
Q - Quebec
R - Romeo
S - Sierra
T - Tango
U - Uniform
V - Victor
W - Whiskey
X - X-Ray
Y - Yankee
Z - Zulu
International Phonetic Alphabet
Q CODES - COMMON HAM RADIO Q SIGNALS
COMMON HAM RADIO Q SIGNALS
Hams use three-letter Q signals on every mode and even in face-to-face conversation. Here are the Q signals most commonly used in day-to-day operation. Each signal can be a question or an answer, as shown in the Meaning column. A complete list of ham radio Q signals.
Hams use three-letter Q signals on every mode and even in face-to-face conversation. Here are the Q signals most commonly used in day-to-day operation. Each signal can be a question or an answer, as shown in the Meaning column. A complete list of ham radio Q signals.
| Q Signal | Meaning |
|---|---|
| QRL | Is the frequency busy? The frequency is busy. Please do not interfere. |
| QRM | Abbreviation for interference from other signals. |
| QRN | Abbreviation for interference from natural or human-made static. |
| QRO | Shall I increase power? Increase power. |
YOUR HAM RADIO GO KIT
YOUR HAM RADIO GO KIT
Would you be ready if a call came from your local public service group to provide some ham radio expertise for a day or so? Items in the following list are the basics of what should be in your radio go kit. Now is a good time to check your supplies and be prepared! Don’t forget to put together a personal go kit, too.
YOUR HAM RADIO GO KIT
Would you be ready if a call came from your local public service group to provide some ham radio expertise for a day or so? Items in the following list are the basics of what should be in your radio go kit. Now is a good time to check your supplies and be prepared! Don’t forget to put together a personal go kit, too.
- Dual-band (VHF/UHF) handheld radio and mini manual
- Full-size flexible whip antenna
- Copy of your Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license and any public service group or government agency IDs
- Mag-mount antenna with necessary adapters for connecting to various connectors
- Extra battery packs and charger
- AA-cell battery pack if available and fresh batteries
- AC power supply and cigarette-plug cord with spare fuses
- Headset with microphone (preferred) or speaker-mic
- Copy of your local emcomm frequencies, phone numbers, and procedures
- Pocket knife and/or multipurpose tool
- Flashlight or headlamp and spare batteries
- Pencil and notebook, clipboard, and permanent marker
- Duct tape, electrical tape, and a few small cable ties
- Cash for food, gas, and telephone calls (about $20 in small bills and change)
YOUR HAM RADIO GO KIT
CANADA HAM RADIO Bandplans
Radio Amateurs of Canada bandplanning committees coordinate the development of National Band Plans to provide guidance for the usage of the Canadian Amateur bands. These committees are made up of representatives from all regions of Canada.
The committees prepare interim band plans after consulting with Amateurs across the country. These plans not only take into account the wishes of Canadian Amateurs, but are also coordinated with band usage in other countries through membership in the International Amateur Radio Union. Final versions of the band plans are published in The Canadian Amateur for last minute input and are then submitted to the RAC Board of Directors for approval.
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