Tools I Used To Call NA1SS

"This is NA1SS, the International Space Station, overâ�¦... on TwitpicAfter several years of trying to contact NA1SS, I finally found success. It’s quite an experience to make contact with a dedicated astronaut or cosmonaut that is orbiting around our planet. I’ve also seen the space station in the sky. That’s quite an experience as well. Exhilarating. Unique.

Track The ISS: Find A Website
You need a website to track the ISS. But always keep the police scanner turned on, because you need audio to hear transmissions as it passes by. This is crucial. There are several good websites out there to track it, but I especially like N2YO. This page has great visuals and is user friendly. There are other sites. Find one you like.

The Frequency To Listen:  145.800
Grab a police scanner. The ISS downlink frequency is 145.800, but lately the ISS has been transmitting on the frequency of 144.490 also. You don’t have to be a ham operator to listen to the International Space Station (ISS). But, you must own a police scanner or a transceiver. I use an old police scanner that sits in my station. By the way, you can see the ISS in the sky with the naked eye also!

The Talk Frequency Region 2:   144.490
Find a talk frequency for your region. It depends where your location is that determines your talk frequency. I live in Region 2, so my talk frequency is 144.490. Here is a list from the ISS Fan Club to guide you.

The Transceiver
I have an ICOM IC-V8000 2 meter radio that I used to contact the ISS. My talk frequency is 144.490. Find what frequency you need and grab the radio for it.

Patience
Patience is a must if you want to reach the ISS. There are literally hundreds of other operators trying to accomplish the same goal. Astronauts go out of their way to help ham operators. Show some courtesy and respect. The ISS doesn’t always transmit while orbiting. Remember, just wait for the opportunity, it will happen. Keep your police scanner turned on. Listen.

Persistence
As with anything in life, persistence is the key to doing anything. When your spouse or friends tell you that you are wasting your time, ignore the negativity. You can!

NA1SS this is……