Various reports from all over the world confirm that many operators are successfully using the FM repeater recently activated onboard ISS.

The ARISS program is pleased to announce that the amateur radio equipment aboard the International Space Station is now operating in cross-band repeat mode. We realize that many of you will miss the packet-operating mode. However, cross-band repeat allows further experimentation of the ISS amateur radio system

The latest Keplarian Elements I downloaded from NASA seem to be off a bit when loaded into the WinOrbit tracking program. I actually got AOS later than the program indicated I should. Normally these are right on the money but this last set of numbers aren't very good. They're a minute or two early for when the actual AOS occurs. And I could still hear the ISS as it was flying away when the program told me I shouldn't be able to hear it. These latest Keps are off.

On October 16 2004, there will be a HAM/ISS booth at the Marina Air Faire, Marina Ca.
(Next to NASA)

The plan is (pending) to talk to Mike Fincke and the crew aboard ISS. Astronaut Capt. Dan Burish will also hopefelly attend in Marina.

The ARISS team is pleased to announce that the next school contact with the International Space Station astronauts will take place Friday, 27 August between the ISS crew and students at Upper St. Clair High School in Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania, USA. The contact is scheduled to begin approximately 1345 UTC or 9:45 local time.

Right a few hours after one of my voice contacts with Mike, I saw him during the celebrations for the Greece 2004 Olimpic games.
After their greeting message, Mike and Gennady performed a small free-flight inside the ISS for the crowds to admire.
It was a really nice surprice.

Alain

The ARISS team is pleased to announce that the next school contact with the International Space Station astronauts will take place Tuesday, 10 August between the ISS crew and students at Good Shepherd School, Decherd and St. Paul's in Tullahoma, Tennessee, USA. The contact is scheduled to begin about 1343 UTC. This contact is being shared by Good Shepherd and St. Paul Catholic.

This will be a direct contact between the Space Station, NA1SS, and St. Paul's School in Tullahoma, Tennessee's K4FUN.

Please note, the packet station will be turned off prior to the beginning of the contact. It will be returned to service as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience.

Fellow HAMS,

According to this notice from T.S. Kelso (the father of STSPLUS and CelesTrak) Kelperian data may no longer be available to download!

This would have a Very SERIOUS Impact on Amateur Satellites as we know it! All your automated stations for tracking, Doppler etc.. would be USELESS!!! With no current Kep data one is not going to be able to track your favorite satellites!

Please take some time and go to http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/notice.shtml
and read what Dr. Kelso has to say, and fill out the form!

73, Scott WA6LIE
Salinas, Ca.
West Coast Satgate Station

Not sure if this is a first or not , but yesterday , I managed to catch two transits of ISS across the sun on consecutive orbits......from one location.
Last year I managed two consecutive orbit transits , but had to re locate between passes . This time I simply stayed where I was , and waited for the station to "come back round".

Great fun , but, on what was probaly the hottest day of the year here , not recommended

The report can be found here:
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/satcom_transits/crosby.htm

Regards,

John

I had a nice long 2 minute QSO with Mike on Saturday morning pass at 1830 Zulu.
His signal was very good, 59 at my QTH.
I made a blind call for NA1SS when ISS was 1 degree above my horizion to the south over the Pacific Ocean heading towards Mexico.

I hit RECORD on my confuser, and the rest is history!
You can listen to my recording (MP3 file) at
www.qsl.net/wa6lie

73, Scott
Salinas, Ca.