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 Previous: Registration Opens for ARRL On-line Level II Emergency Communications Course |  Next: Survey Seeks Input on Novice/Tech Plus HF Spectrum |
 Astronaut Susan Helms, KC7NHZ, made several dozen Field Day contacts operating from the ISS as NA1SS. [NASA Photo] |
NEWINGTON, CT, Jun 25, 2001--Astronaut Susan Helms, KC7NHZ, took time out from her busy schedule aboard the International Space Station over the weekend to join in the annual ARRL Field Day fray. The operation was believed to mark the first time anyone participated in Field Day from space.
Helms worked several dozen stations--most of them Field Day operations--as the ISS passed over the US. ARRL Contest Branch Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, says the NA1SS contacts will count for Field Day credit, but they will not count for satellite bonus points. Helms also worked many European stations over the weekend as well, but not as Field Day contacts.
Helms comported herself like a veteran contester during Field Day, although not without some confusion as to what exchange she should transmit for Field Day QSOs. Initially acting on incorrect information, Helms was giving out "one alpha maritime mobile-Russia" for a Field Day report. Later, she resorted to "1 alpha battery on the space station."
"I copy one delta Kansas," she said during one exchange. "November zero zulu hotel. Is that the whole call sign? Over." Then: "Okay, got it that time," she said. "November zero zulu hotel echo, one delta. Thanks a lot for the contact. QRZed?"
The NA1SS Field Day operation infused a lot of enthusiasm into the occasion. "This Field Day is the one I'll remember the most, even after doing FD for 40 years," said ARRL Wisconsin Public Information Coordinator Jim Romelfanger, K9ZZ. Romelfanger worked NA1SS as part of the WB9FDZ Yellow Thunder Amateur Radio Club Field Day crew. "Susan was having a ball up there!" he said.
Dave Swartz, KC7RRH, said his club's Field Day operation was another lucky enough to snag a contact with NA1SS. It happened almost by accident. Swartz, who operated with the Federal Way Amateur Radio Club's WA7FW, said the group was set up for a packet contact via the ISS when he heard Helms' voice coming over the speaker working Field Day stations. Although he was on 20 meters at the time, he grabbed the mike at the packet setup next to him and made the QSO. "I was very psyched about working her," he said, although he expressed disappointment that the contact would not count for bonus points.
Henderson said that ISS contacts will not count for bonus points because the ISS is not an "Amateur Radio satellite," as rules 7.3.7 specifies. "Because of their nature, bonus points need to be readily available to everybody," he said. "This is not the case with the ISS, with its limited window of opportunity." Henderson said Field Day has included no specific rules relating to ISS operation because "we cannot guarantee anyone will be on and operating from the ISS."
As for the correct Field Day operating class for NA1SS, Henderson said he sees three possible categories: 1 B (a non-club operation by one or two people), 1C (mobile, including aeronautical and maritime) or 1E (home station on emergency power). But as far as he's concerned, the question is largely academic.
"Whatever exchange she sent out, count it as a valid contact for Field Day and enjoy the experience," he said. Field Day entries require a list of call signs worked by band and mode.
Henderson said he'd heard "rumblings" before Field Day that Helms might get on the air from the ISS for the event but nothing definite. ARISS Board Chairman Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, said he plans to get Helms' Field Day log and will submit it on her behalf before the July 24 deadline. Helms and her crewmates are not scheduled to return to Earth until mid-August.
Henderson said it appears that Helms' ISS Field Day entry will end up "in a class by itself."
Here are the QSL routes for W/VE stations working NA1SS aboard the International Space Station: US stations QSL to Margie Bourgoin, KB1DCO, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. Canadian stations QSL to Radio Amateurs of Canada, 720 Belfast Rd--Suite 217, Ottawa, ON K1G 0Z5. A self-addressed, stamped envelope is required to get a QSL in return.
Audio of Susan Helms working Field Day is available on the Web site of AMSAT Awards Manager Bruce Paige, KK5DO.
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