Did you know you can call the International Space Station?!

Posted by: admin , August 18, 2015

If you have a basic knowledge of radio frequencies and access to a ham radio, you can contact the International Space Station!
It’s reported that English man Adrian Lane used a ham radio in his garden shed to call the ISS and have a 45-second conversation with an astronaut!
Those looking to have their ‘Ground Control’ moment have a four-minute contact window to get through to the ISS, with the best chance being when it is directly overhead.
According to NASA, people make contact with the ISS on a regular basis because the ham radio used on the ISS is similar to those used by amateur radio enthusiasts around the world.
To get started, you’ll need some proper equipment, basic knowledge of radio technology, a license and access to the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station page (which lists the ham radio frequencies being used on the ISS) and Public domain software to check when the ISS is within range.
The ISS is hurtling around Earth at about 17,500 mph.