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Others are doing it with everyday 2 meter gear and antennas. You can, too!

The key to making a contact is knowing when the ISS is overhead.

I have been in Amateur Radio for over 42 years and have worked just about all modes and bands but I must say the biggest kick was having voice contacts with the International Space Station. Most would think this would be hard to do, but using standard 2 meter equipment and a modest antenna it can be done easily.

The first thing you will need a 2 meter radio that can be programmed to do a split frequency other than the normal up/down 600. The downlink frequency is 145.800 and the uplink is 144.490. I use an ICOM IC-706MKIIG, but most modern 2 meter FM transceivers can be programmed for odd splits.

I used a Comet dual band 2 meter 440 with about 6.5 DB gain. I have heard folks doing it from their mobile and even with handhelds.

A QSL from my first QSO.

The key to making a contact is knowing when the ISS is overhead. I have found two Web sites the way to go. The first is the ISS Fan Club. After you have received your password and do an initial tracking of the ISS, putting in the city nearest you, it will remember when you sign in and show you when the next pass will be over you. See the tracking widow on the upper left corner.

You can also enter and see comments from other amateurs on recent contacts and passes.

After finding out when it will be over head go to the Science @ NASA Web site. This will show the current ISS location with a circle around the Image of the ISS showing the area where a contact can be made.

I have made three contacts with the ISS so far and the current crew with Bill McArthur have been very active calling CQ almost daily. After you make your contact be sure to send for your QSL card, the instructions are on the ISS Fan Club site.

Good hunting and 73

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