Hello,
Welcome to our MIR page, working the mir space station with packet radio
is one of the most thrilling thing's I have ever done in amateur radio.
Working the MIR is not very complicated but does demand some good patience
and proper amateur ethic. As one can imagine it will hear thousands of
ham's and your trying to squeeze in there, timing is essential ! I guess
your wondering what does it take as far a s equipment ?......... well my
set up is very basic. I use a KPC-3 tnc with a 45 watt mobile rig.I
compliment it with a cell wave vertical @ 6db.
My program is hostmaster and the pc is an ibm.I prefer my
kpc-3 and hostmaster because I can tell the software to run the squelch,
this enables weak packets to get in. In any case i feel the only real reason
this modest set up has worked is the 45 watts to the gain antenna. There
are more proper set ups with rotors and special designed directional antenna's
but i like to keep it basic, it don't haunt you down the road. ($)
One of
the most important thing's is a good tracking program, I enjoy STSPLUS
and SAT SPY.but im taking a real good look at these online java tracking
pages. It's important to keep good kep data within these programs to ensure
a more reliable pass. Take a good look at the link's below and you should
find numerous info to help you on your way, You may want to get on a mailing
list with sarex or amsat to stay up to date with the happening's. And most
of all remember good amateur communicating practice goes a long way here
! good luck and let me know if you get a contact.............................................
John KD4GXY |
