I was the only station using the packet digipeater again this mornings high pass over UK 08:40 UTC.

20161106083844 : G7HCE]CQ,RS0ISS*,qAR,G7HCE-10::NWS :ISS APRS Packet Digipeater now on 437.550 FM
20161106083825 : G7HCE]CQ,RS0ISS*,qAR,G7HCE-10:Hello To All via ISS 73' David in Exeter
20161106083818 : G7HCE]CQ,RS0ISS*,qAR,G7HCE-10:=5042.86N/00329.10W-SGATE Exeter/UK IO80gr via ISS 437.550-Mhz {UISS54}
20161106083814 : RS0ISS]CQ,qAR,G7HCE-10:]ARISS - International Space Station

Hi!

Thanks for posting that listing of packets from yesterday. It looks like more gateways are setting up on 437.550 MHz. I don't know if this means they aren't also listening to 145.825 MHz, but for now I think the UHF frequency is the place to be if these gateways can only monitor one frequency. NO-84's 145.825 MHz digipeater is rarely on, and NO-44 is a tough one to hear unless it is getting a lot of sunlight to power it up.

I have worked two early morning passes this week, plus a pass in the past hour (midday here in Arizona). I definitely see how the trees around my house make UHF operation tough. When I am pointing away from the trees that cover the lower elevations to my north, the 437.550 MHz downlink is easy to hear with my TH-D74A HT and Elk log periodic antenna. I would expect those using omnidirectional antennas would have a harder time as you mentioned, with this change to UHF operation.

For the pass I just worked (around 1852 UTC Saturday, 5 October - 11.52am local time in Arizona), three different gateway stations - two in Arizona, and one in California - were picking up traffic from the 437.550 MHz digipeater. The first gateway, KK6RKY in California, picked up one of my beacons about 3 minutes after my AOS. KE7JGM-6 and K8YSE-4 in Arizona covered most of the rest of the pass. Being able to look at ariss.net after ISS passes had been useful with the 145.825 MHz digipeater, and it is nice that there are some gateways that will make ariss.net just as useful with the 437.550 MHz digipeater.

73!

Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK
http://www.wd9ewk.net/
Twitter: @WD9EWK

Not so easy to gate traffic with weaker signal on 437.550 FM UHF using just an Omni few stations only shown since digipeater moved over to 70cms 2 days ago http://www.ariss.net

20161104102214 : M0GIW]USSVYZ,RS0ISS*,WIDE1-1,WIDE2-2,qAR,G7HCE-10:'vV2l -/]
20161104102207 : G7HCE]CQ,RS0ISS*,qAR,G7HCE-10::HEARDlast:M0GIW{UISS54}
20161104102155 : G7HCE]CQ,RS0ISS*,qAR,G7HCE-10::NWS :ISS APRS Packet Digipeater now on 437.550 FM
20161104102136 : M0GIW]USSVYZ,RS0ISS*,WIDE1-1,WIDE2-2,qAR,G7HCE-10:'vV2l -/]
20161104101227 : NY2M-6]CQ,RS0ISS*,qAR,K0KOC-7:=4036.70N/07410.05W-73' Via Satellite {UISS54}
20161104085431 : RS0ISS]CQ,qAR,ON4ISS-6:]ARISS - International Space Station
20161104085231 : RS0ISS]CQ,qAR,ON4ISS-6:]ARISS - International Space Station
20161104085040 : ON7BRT]5Q0SS5,RS0ISS*,RS0ISS,PCSAT,APRSAT,PSAT,YBSAT,ARISS,W3ADO-1,qAR,G7HCE-10:`yHol y/`ON7BRT ON7BRT@skynet.be_"
20161104084928 : G7HCE]CQ,RS0ISS*,qAR,G7HCE-10:=5042.86N/00329.10W-SGATE Exeter/UK IO80gr via ISS {UISS54}

Many thanks to the ARISS Team for keeping the packet digipeater operational 73's David G7HCE

Due to the failure of the VHF radio in the Columbus module the packet system on 145.825 is not possible. The crew just swapped the radio for the UHF equivalent and packet is now operational on 437.550 MHz.

The Kenwood D700 radios were augmented a couple years ago by a Kenwood D710E radio that was dedicated to SSTV operations. The Russian team soon afterwards adopted the D710E as their only operational radio but it was never configured for packet operations.

The ARISS team is working on flying replacement D710GA models to replace and unify all the hardware. Target for delivery is late 2017.

today 10/28/2016 while at nearly right over head pass 409 pm central time ) Lincoln nebraska, i heard on 145.825 a dips in the static level, but that could be local interference..

ISS Columbus ham radio HT inoperative. (posted 21 Oct 2016 on Amsat UK website.)

The Ericsson VHF handheld transceiver in the ISS Columbus module which is used for amateur radio voice contacts on 145.800 MHz and the packet radio digipeater on 145.825 MHz is unusable.

The VHF handheld radio model that has been used by the ARISS program to connect students worldwide with astronauts on board the International Space Station (ISS) for over 16 years has given an error message and is unusable at this time.

While the ARISS technical team evaluates the best path to restore operation from the Columbus module, ARISS contacts will be supported using the Kenwood radio in the Russian Service Module. During this period, the packet digipeater will be unavailable.

Switching to the 70 cm radio capability on board the Columbus module for some operations is being coordinated. Expect further updates as we work to resolve this problem.

Dave Taylor W8AAS has posted the following information on the AMSAT Bulletin Board:

ARISS is actively working on a new Interoperable Radio System for ISS. The primary components are a modified Kenwood D710GA radio and a custom ARISS-designed power supply. The radio is complete except for final programming and NASA testing and certification. The power supply design is in final stages and a hardware prototype has been built. It will power existing and anticipated ARISS equipment.

The radio by itself is useless without the power supply (the radio needs 13.8 VDC, the ISS provides 120 VDC in the US segment and 28 VDC in the Russian segment). The power supply will allow ham radio equipment to be used anywhere on ISS.

The goal is to have this new system aboard ISS about 1 year from now. This assumes that ARISS can raise the remaining funds needed and that no delays occur in NASA testing and certification of the entire system. The new radio system will give ISS a strong 25-watt signal on voice and packet, and is planned to support a variety of operating modes.

This system was discussed in presentations at last year’s AMSAT Symposium and you can find details in the 2015 Proceedings. I haven’t seen a schedule, but I expect there will be updates at the Symposium next month

The APRS radio on the ISS is not working. Ground team is working to determine root cause.

Good Question. I just checked the APRS.fi website raw data listing and didn't see any entries for thim since 12 October ...
On the other side, an Antares supply ship is supposed to launch from Virginia at 2003 EDT today (16 Oct) and they may have their equipment turned off while preparing for its arrival.

Just my thoughts ... Unfortunately, the ARISS website doesn't offer a lot of info on their status for us eager hams waiting for that contact. But I'll keep looking and post my results (if any ...) .

Additional note: I just checked the ARISS.org website and found this entry:

"as of 10/13/2016

Columbus Module radios:
Ericsson VHF- Operational for scheduled contacts. Packet mode is currently operational.
Ericsson UHF-Stowed
HamTV - Transmitting blank images when its power supply is not in use for other research projects. Will be powered down for Orbital (OA-5) launch./berthing. Currently planned to be powered down 8:30 UTC on Oct 19 and be back on at 17:10 UTC.
​All radios are scheduled for power down on Oct. 21 for Soyuz docking at 7:45 UTC, to be powered on at 14:30 UTC."

They also mentioned to go to the ISS Fan Club website for more information.....

73.

Floyd DA1VF/WD8DUP

Félicitation Vincent ! 73 QRO

Hi

I only use the Kenwood THD72 and not familiar with Yaesu VX-8 settings. Use the -7 for SSID and manual beacon for position report only don't use automatic beaconing when working satellites.

I use MFJ-1714 Long Ranger Telescopic End fed Halfwave 2 Meter HT Antenna for mobile use and can digipeat both the PSAT (U0-84) and ISS out walking when the pass is above 28 deg.

So you should get much better results if you are going to use a yagi antenna but directional antennas is not really needed if you just want to send report position beacon or short messages as seen the 2Mtr telescopic works well for handhelds.

and this is very bad ..... NOT a real ham-radio on board ! hi 73