Space Station “Ham TV” System Used for First Time

British Astronaut Tim Peake, KG5BVI, aboard the
International Spsce Station (NASA/ESA photo)

The digital amateur television (DATV) station aboard the International Space Station – dubbed “Ham TV” – was used for the first time in mid-February during a scheduled contact with the Royal Masonic School in Rickmansworth, England. The downlink-only system allowed British astronaut Tim Peake, KG5BVI, to transmit live video on 2.4 GHz along with two-way audio on 2 meters during the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact, according to the ARRL Letter. The TV signal was received by a ham in Italy and relayed to the school in England.
 

Schools or other educational organizations wishing to schedule future ARISS contacts have until April 15 to apply for slots in the first half of 2017. According to the ARRL Letter, schools/groups with the best shot at being selected will be those that can attract large numbers of participants and integrate the 10-minute voice contact into a well-developed educational plan. For more information, e-mail <ariss@arrl.org>.