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![Previous (earlier) Story](/images/sty-down.gif ""It Seems to Us . . ." The Third Battle of Bull Run"){kind=small} Previous: "It Seems to Us . . ." The Third Battle of Bull Run |  Next: Karl Bullock, WA5TMC, Appointed Delta Division Vice Director |
ARISS International Chairman Frank Bauer, KA3HDO (left), presents a WAS plaque to astronaut Bill McArthur, KC5ACR, who commanded ISS Expedition 12. Since the WAS rules to not provide for working all states from space, the award is considered honorary. [NASA/JSC Photo] |
McArthur on the air from NA1SS at the ARISS Phase 2 station onboard the ISS. [NASA Photo] |
During the ceremony to honor McArthur, Johnson Space Center presented the ARISS program with a Group Achievement Award: (L-R) JSC Director Michael L. Coats; ISS Ham Radio Project Coordinator Kenneth Ransom, N5VHO; McArthur, and Expedition 12 Lead Flight Director Sally Davis. [NASA/JSC Photo] |
NEWINGTON, CT, June 1, 2006--International Space Station Expedition 12 Commander Bill McArthur, KC5ACR, has been honored as the first astronaut to work all states from space and for inspiring others through his ham radio activities from NA1SS. McArthur, who returned to Earth in April, received an ARRL Worked All States (WAS) plaque during a May 25 ceremony at Johnson Space Center in Houston. During his six-month duty tour, McArthur became the most active radio amateur ever to serve aboard the ISS. His track record from NA1SS is impressive: In addition to WAS, he handled a record 37 Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) school contacts, worked all continents, including Antarctica, on both VHF and UHF--and racked up QSOs with some 130 DXCC entities.
"The Amateur Radio on the ISS program was developed to inspire students--our next generation of explorers--through Amateur Radio communications with the ISS crew," remarked ARISS International Chairman Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, who presented the WAS plaque to McArthur. "Using Amateur Radio, the Expedition 12 crew took the worldwide community of radio amateurs, the school students and the general public to unprecedented heights."
The last QSL McArthur needed to confirm WAS--from Wyoming--arrived at ARRL Headquarters not long before the end of his ISS duty tour. McArthur also logged a phenomenal number of casual contacts with earthbound radio amateurs--more than 1800 in all. Bauer noted that McArthur "was very approachable" with students during the ARISS school contacts. "He inspired them with his vision, quick wit and sense of humor."
Bauer said McArthur motivated hams and non-hams alike through his on-the-air activity. He told of hearing from a teacher in Orlando who said one of his students added Advanced Placement Physics to her course schedule after participating in an ARISS school contact. In another inspirational instance: When a prospective licensee learned he could speak to the ISS via ham radio, he studied and passed his Amateur Radio examination and made a contact with McArthur at NA1SS in March, Bauer said.
"Throughout this expedition, Bill McArthur's enthusiasm for the ham radio hobby kept bubbling to the surface," Bauer said, calling McArthur's ham radio accomplishments from NA1SS "a testament of success."
"We thank you for your tremendous contributions to inspire students, the general public and the amateur radio community," Bauer concluded. "All who have been touched by your efforts will remember their special ISS connection for the rest of their lives. Thanks and congratulations!"
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