(Feb 24, 2006) -- SuitSat-1 is now a confirmed "Silent Key." So says its sponsor, the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program. In operation for more than two weeks, SuitSat-1 easily outlasted initial predictions that it would transmit for about one week. ARISS International Chairman Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, says the mission captured imaginations around the world, despite a much-lower-than-expected signal strength.

http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/02/24/1/?nc=1

I love the ease of the user interface on the ISS fan club tracking program however I've noticed substantial differences between the pass predictions from it compared to other prediction s/w. Last night the prediction was about 4 minutes earlier than the ISS. I also sometimes find the attitude & azmiuth to be significantly different as well. Is there anything a user needs to do to correct for this for their local area? The location I am using is less than 1 mile from my station, so it should be relatively accurate.
Thank you in advance.

I´m very happy today. I used a homebrew arrow antenna for receiving a powerfull packet radio signal from ISS. Stations displayed in UISS: EA5AEL and CT2ECS. From Madrid, Spain. 18:44 UTC

Next time I wish to hear to Bill or Valery in 145.800 Mhz.

3 upcoming iss school qsos relayed on echolink:

Harry Hallyburton Elementary School, Drexel, North Carolina,
telebridge via VK5ZAI Fri 2006-03-03 18:16 UTC.
Watch for IRLP, Echolink, and streaming web coverage.

Cincinnati Country Day School, Cincinnati, OH, USA,
telebridge via VK5ZAI Wed 2006-03-01 19:02 UTC
Watch for IRLP, Echolink, and streaming web coverage.

Evangelisches Gymnasium Lippstadt, D-59555, Germany,
direct via DN2LP Wed 2006-03-08 14:56 UTC
(listen 145.800 fm in europe to hear iss direct)

There will be automatic one second breaks every 2.5 minutes in the audio