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.
ISS and scanner "newbie"
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nd5y
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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.
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
Member
time
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
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
Wiki Admin Emeritus
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
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
Condo
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.
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.What would you suggest as a better mobile antenna?
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.
Spankymedic7
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Portable radios/antennae DO work
Although it's always ideal to have an outdoor antenna, you can absolutely listen to the ISS with a portable scanner/radio. I've done APRS (recieve AND transmit) recently with nothing more than a handheld radio and rubber duck antenna. Granted, while these communications were during overhead passes with minimal cloud cover, I have accomplished the same under less-than-ideal conditions.
As for determining overhead passes of the ISS, if you have an iPhone or iPad, there is an app called "ISS Spotter" that will not only show you the real time location of the ISS, but it will give you a list of predicted passes (date, time, and angle of view). It even alarms you of upcoming passes if you so choose. If you don't have access to an Apple product, there is a website called ISSTracker ~ Real-Time Location Tracking of the International Space Station which is a no frills website that gives you a real-time location of the ISS on a world map.
Hope this helps. Good luck!
Although it's always ideal to have an outdoor antenna, you can absolutely listen to the ISS with a portable scanner/radio. I've done APRS (recieve AND transmit) recently with nothing more than a handheld radio and rubber duck antenna. Granted, while these communications were during overhead passes with minimal cloud cover, I have accomplished the same under less-than-ideal conditions.
As for determining overhead passes of the ISS, if you have an iPhone or iPad, there is an app called "ISS Spotter" that will not only show you the real time location of the ISS, but it will give you a list of predicted passes (date, time, and angle of view). It even alarms you of upcoming passes if you so choose. If you don't have access to an Apple product, there is a website called ISSTracker ~ Real-Time Location Tracking of the International Space Station which is a no frills website that gives you a real-time location of the ISS on a world map.
Hope this helps. Good luck!
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