@wd9ewk
Patrick how’s the signal on the new radio? I’ve been off the air for a few months.
The radio sounds pretty good. With the new firmware, there are different power levels for different modes - 5W for the cross-band voice repeater, 10W for the packet digipeater, and 25W for the scheduled contacts and other two-way contacts involving crewmembers. Packet has been a lot better with the new radio - improved receiver on the TM-D710G compared to the 20-year-old GE/Ericsson commercial HT, and more power. Five watts from the cross-band voice repeater is easy to hear, even when using duckie antennas. Better antennas help to get through either the voice repeater or packet digipeater, but there's more transmitter power from the ISS than what we have from any of our other satellites.
The main challenges with the cross-band voice repeater relate to so many signals trying to get through, and none of the signals are strong enough to hold the receiver for more than a second or two. A 67.0 Hz CTCSS (PL) tone is required, which wasn't the case when older radios on the ISS were used as the cross-band voice repeater. Many more tried that repeater, since it was easy to hear, and easier to hear than other FM satellites like AO-91.
If the ARISS web page I referenced above is correct, we are a week or so away from seeing the cross-band voice repeater back on again. I'm enjoying the packet digipeater, using APRS messages from my TH-D74 HT to make QSOs with other stations, but I also enjoy trying the voice repeater.
Happy Thanksgiving, and 73!