My father, Ron Gorzynski, K8DID and an AMSAT Life Member, has worked the ISS twice, along with the space shuttle and MIR numerous times but today was my turn. Visiting my parents this Field Day, we were there listening for the call with each pass and working packet when no voice was heard. Then finally, the signal we had waited for was there - - loud and clear competing with the sound of my excited heart beating loudly in my chest. It's a moment I will never forget..."K7DID this is NA1SS"!! What a treat it was today to have the privilege of working the ISS from my father's QTH.

As reported by various sources, busy ISS voice activity have been copied over North America.
In occasion of the Field Day the station NA1ISS have been operated by Mike Finke permitting numerous contacts with US and Canadian ground stations.
No activity have been reported elsewhere yet.

As our member Kenneth N5VHO remarks in his forum post packet radio have been switched on for the field day.
Phone operations are supposed to take place on Sunday, but a surprise could happen anytime.

Jut after 14 minutes 20 seconds astronaut Michael Fincke had to interrupt his EVA due to a loss of pression in his main oxigen bottle.

The anomaly was promptly detected by Russian Flight controllers who ordered both Fincke and Padalka to immediately reented the station.

Full story at space.com

A spacewalk intended to replace a faulty circuit breaker on the exterior of the International Space Station was cut short when the primary oxygen bottle on Astronaut Mike Fincke's Russian space suit began losing pressure faster than expected.
The overall pressure in Fincke's suit remained stable at all times and he was not in danger. A backup oxygen tank available on his suit was not needed.

From the ISS Packet Beacon:
- It's a girl!Tarali Fincke -

Frank Bauer, KA3HDO: ...Astronaut Mike Finke got word on Friday that he is a new father. Tarali Paulina Fincke was born on June 18, 2004 to proud parents, Mike and Renita Fincke. They also have 1 son, Chandra.

The following is from JSC Today, courtesy of Kenneth Ransom, N5VHO:

"Her name is Tarali Paulina and Tara is the Indian dialect meaning star," Fincke radioed to Mission Control, shortly after the birth.....

Astronaut Mike Fincke, who is living and working on board the International Space Station, conveyed his congratulations to the SpaceShipOne team during space-to-ground communications today.
"Fantastic!" Fincke said upon hearing the news that test pilot Mike Melvill had successfully completed the first privately funded suborbital human space flight. "We were wishing them the best of luck. We're all in the space business together, helping mankind get off the planet and explore the stars."

ON6MU has released a new UISS version which has some impressive new features. UISS can be downloaded at his -website-

The crew of the International Space Station astronaut Mike Fincke, KE5AIT, and Gennady Padalka, RN3DT could be on the air for Field Day 2004. In 2001, astronaut Susan Helms, KC7NHZ, thrilled Field Day participants by showing up unexpectedly on the air and working several dozen stations. ISS crew members have participated in the event each year since. ISS Ham Radio Project Engineer Kenneth G. Ransom, N5VHO, says he's sent Field Day operating instructions and pass times to the ISS support team at Johnson Space Center for relay to Fincke this week.
See www.arrl.org for full details
Tnx to ARRL and Ken, N5VHO for info
73, Gerry VE6GP

Hi all ,

With just hours to go before the Venus transit starts I managed to catch the station crossing the sun from here in the UK at 1422 gmt today.
This is probably the last glimpse we will get of ISS before tomorrows event, and it was important that the capture showed the full transit in order to verify.....