I saw yesterday's e-mail traffic on the SAREX reflector and I thought I would clarify some items.

First, it is good to see that this reflector is still active. For a while there, I only thought that Dave Larsen, Arthur Rowe and I were the only members of this reflector (hi hi).

All,

I saw yesterday's e-mail traffic on the SAREX reflector and I thought I

would clarify some items.

First, it is good to see that this reflector is still active. For a while

there, I only thought that Dave Larsen, Arthur Rowe and I were the only

members of this reflector (hi hi).

Let's talk about the packet hardware. I would not characterize the packet

system as being "radiation fried." It is true that the packet system has

been down for a very long time. If you all noticed, we did experience a

similar, but not as lengthy packet down-period with another crew

expedition. That expedition, I believe, did not fully understand the APRS

uses of the packet hardware and the system kept getting shut off. It is my

belief that this is the same problem we are experiencing with this

crew. What defends this theory is that we have made several requests to

turn the packet system on through the Mission Control Center (not an easy

thing to do for a secondary activity). Each time, the packet system was

reactivated and within an orbit, it was gone again. If you haven't seen

this packet resource, take a look at: http://www.ariss.net/ and scroll

down to the bottom to see the APRS packet ops.

We are working with the Mission ops folks to get the packet reactivated

again and to make sure it stays on. Stay tuned.

Those of you that know me pretty good know that I am an Aerospace Engineer

that has also served on several failure investigation boards. If you want

my technical opinion of the anomalies we have seen with the packet system,

I really do not think they are radiation or Single Event Effects

related. A radiation issue would, most likely, cause the packet module to

cease from operating when the susceptible part hits its radiation

threshold. If the packet system never turns on again, then radiation could

be the issue. But as you have probably deduced, I think it is an

operations concern. I do not think that the funnies many have you have

seen with the packet messaging are single event effects (SEE/SEU) related

either. If that happened, the system would lock up or a bit flip (or many

bit flips) would occur. These would be random events. But we see very

consistent events (like the disappearing and reappearing of messages). My

conjecture is that this is a software bug, not an SEE/SEU. Now that I have

stated my conjecture, I am sure that many others will provide their own

thoughts and ideas. But these are my opinions based on my Aerospace

experience and my experience with this set of hardware.

Regarding ARISS ops---as some have stated, some crews get excited about

amateur radio and others don't. Just like some people like amateur radio

and others don't. Just like some people like APRS, SSTV, Voice ops, CW,

Contests, Field Day, and others don't. Personally, I am grateful that the

international space agencies are allowing us on-board. We have gotten

antenna feedthroughs, space on-board the crowded ISS, up-mass on Shuttles

and Progress launch vehicles to fly our hardware and extremely valuable

crew time. These items clearly represent millions of dollars of space

agency costs. The ARISS-developed hardware complement costs pales in

comparison to the space agency costs for allowing us on-board. Every

minute our equipment is on the air should be considered a blessing.

This past month has been a tough one due to the Columbia tragedy. From an

ops perspective, ARISS is just getting back on-line with a couple of school

group contacts. Please bear with us on the packet issue. We will continue

to work this as hard as possible while making sure we don't overstep our

bounds with the space agencies and become thorns in their sides.

It is good to see that Don Petit is enjoying something that is inspiring to

him while he is on ISS. Just like amateur radio inspires all of us.

73,

Frank Bauer, KA3HDO