ISS and scanner "newbie"

[Wheels47130]

I live at Daytona Beach and love watching the lift offs. Even the unmanned is a sight to see. I am reading here and curious if you can get ISS on abPro 164 or just a HAM radio? I get alerts when the ISS is over my area.

[nd5y]

You don't necessarily need a ham radio to hear it.
Just program 145.800 FM and wait.
If you only have a scanner with the stock antenna indoors it will severely limit how well you can receive it.

[wtp]

it does take time
also 145.8 fm for voice, i havn't heard a lot there
try 145.825 fm and you will likely hear the packet burst
it will fade in and then fade out
knowing when to listen also helps

[ka3jjz]

As stated before, you're going to need an outdoor antenna, mounted nice and high, to have the best chance of hearing the ISS.

As for waiting, there are several ways to cut that down a little. Either use one of the many online orbital predictors, or use software such as NOVA or Satscape to let you know when the ISS is going to be over your location. One tip - the higher the Station's elevation, the greater your chances. This article from our wiki has a few of these links (note that anything in blue is a link)

SATCOM - The RadioReference Wiki

Also keep in mind that the ham station is used, apart from scheduled school events (which would provide you with the best chances, if the Station is visible from your location during the event), when and if the astronauts have the time. This means that even though you might have a good pass, the astronauts could be in sleep period, or are very busy with station work. To that extent, it's a catch as catch can basis.

Oh, and they've been known to send verification cards for reports. Even better, if you happen to hear scratchy sounds, they're sending pix using a mode known as Slow Scan TV. We have links in the wiki for that, too. You would be wise to keep that software handy if you know you have a pass coming up.

HTH and GL...Mike

[n9mxq]

Another good reference page is www.issfanclub.com


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Wheels47130]

Well luckily I live in a condo here on the beach. I'm six floors up. I use a center loaded antennae. Pick up taxis, hotels, everything thanks for the help! I'll keep an eye out and program that in.

[SKPhoton]

Originally Posted by nd5y

You don't necessarily need a ham radio to hear it.
Just program 145.800 FM and wait.
If you only have a scanner with the stock antenna indoors it will severely limit how well you can receive it.

What would you suggest as a better mobile antenna?

[awattam]

An outdoor antenna is best. I have a Diamond RH-789 on my Uniden BCD396xt and when I am outside I can sometimes here the downlink frequency 145.800 but as yet I have never heard anyone say anything. This only happens when the ISS is directly overhead or really close.

[SKPhoton]

Nice. Do you find it to be sturdy enough?

I like the idea of being able I custom tune the length of the antenna, but do they also make a fixed version design for this frequency?