Shuttle Launch

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eorange

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So far, I have the following freqs ready to go for this Saturday's launch. I know there has been confirmed reception on the UHF freqs from past launches, but what about HF - will we hear anything? I've never heard anything from Cape Radio, for instance.

259.7 AM - Air to ground primary
296.8 AM - Air to ground secondary

10780 USB - Cape Radio

3385 USB - NASA Point to Point Network Nationwide
6981 USB - NASA Point to Point Network Nationwide
5180 USB - NASA Space Shuttle SRB Recovery Net Atlantic Ocean
5190 USB - NASA Space Shuttle SRB Recovery Net Atlantic Ocean
3187 USB - NASA Space Shuttle SRB Recovery Network Atlantic Ocean
7461 USB - NASA Space Shuttle Support Network Atlantic Ocean
7672 USB - NASA Space Shuttle Support Network Atlantic Ocean
9043 USB - NASA Space Shuttle Support Network Atlantic Ocean
 

ka3jjz

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As I recall Eric there was very little HF during the last launch. Most of the action was in the V/UHF bands.

I'd keep 10780 handy, and not just because it's used by Cape Radio. On rare occasions, it's used as a backup facility for some of the GCS stations. I'd take a look at the mil monitoring wiki (we've got 3 or 4 NASA links there on the webpages article), and perhaps better, talk to some of the MONIX folks and see what ham repeaters will be carrying NASA audio (it's one of the rare times that such retransmissions are permitted). It's also possible WA3NAN will also be on the air, but who knows if the propagation gods will smile upon you :.>> 73s Mike
 

eorange

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Didn't know that about 10780 being a backup, thanks!

We have local repeater broadcasts covered here in Cleveland, thanks in part to NASA Lewis research center.

I am really hoping to catch some comms on the UHF freqs - some folks here (from the UK, I believe) have previously stated they had good luck with that.
 

Scampi

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I am pretty new to this, being from Norway where we don't launch many shuttles ;)

Are there any ham-repeaters near Lake City that will be re-broadcast NASA-audio?

Thanks :)
 

rdale

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eorange - you have to be under the ground track (or at least close) to pick up UHF direct transmissions. You aren't :>
 

VintageJon

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Hooky Smokey, Bullwinkle! If it isn't a Black Ops it's Very Dark Grey!
Huh, why hasn't anyone got a good Downlink for this flight? We Wonders, Aye we wonders.

Thinking that Pro91 is likely tool but Pro96 is available if "extended freqs" are required.
(Just audio please, as I watch NASA TV when they are up and have no use for any other service but these two.) Perhaps it's all gone Black and neither of these tools will do the job...

73's,
Jon
 
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rdale

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Not sure I understand your question... Shuttle comms (other than the first few years of the early 80's) are all satellite digital - sent from the shuttle to TDRS geo-sats and then relayed to the ground. They did not "go black" - they just don't use the air-to-ground UHF freqs anymore because the digital gives them about 90% coverage as opposed to 30% or so going direct.

You can hear some EVA comms on the UHF freq's if they are passing over you while performing the spacewalk.
 
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I read that a few years ago NASA started encrypting the shuttle radio transmissions after they got inqueries from people who heard the astronauts talking about seeing UFOs.Do they or do they not encrypt the shuttle radios to prevent outsider monitoring?
 

rdale

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The only time they encrypt is during the daily medical conference and family calls. Otherwise it is all in the clear. As I mentioned above, you cannot hear it directly from the shuttle, but NASA TV retransmits ALL shuttle comms with no delay.
 
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DaveNF2G

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It has been stated as well that shuttle comms are encrypted during missions where DOD is the primary "customer."
 

rdale

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DOD has not been the primary customer since the Challenger accident 20 years ago. After the lengthy delay, and a review of their needs, they shuttered the Vandenburg launch site and transferred all DOD launches to Delta / Atlas rockets.
 

Scampi

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Is anyone able to provide a list of frequencies that we actually are ab le to monitor?
I only have dialup while I stay in FL, so I have no chance of cathing NASA TV... :/
 

rdale

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Read the very first post in this very thread. If you are along the path in the East Coast you can monitor some of the UHF freqs after it launches.
 

Scampi

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rdale said:
Read the very first post in this very thread. If you are along the path in the East Coast you can monitor some of the UHF freqs after it launches.

I thought that was just during the spacewalks...

But is there any ham-rebroadcasts around my area?
 

N1508J

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Wa3nan At Goddard Space Flight Center

Apparently Wa3nan Is Not Retransmitting Space Shuttle Comm Due To The New Security Rules. Those Rules Require A Goddard Employee To Be With Any Operator At All Times While In The Restricted Area. Since The Station Is On Restricted Property It Is Difficult To Get Non-employee Operators To Operated The Station Since All "visitors" Must Be Escorted And Remain With An Employee Authorized To Access The Restricted Area. Only The Employees Which Are Amateurs Radio Operators Which Are Authorized Access To The Restricted Area And Are "on Leave" Or Beyond Normal Working Hours Can Perform The Retransmissions.
 
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