SB SPACE @ ARL $ARLS008   
   ARLS008 Apparent ARISS Radio Failure Prompts Shift to Russian Service Module   
   Ham Gear   
      
   ZCZC AS08   
   QST de W1AW   
   Space Bulletin 008  ARLS008   
   > From ARRL Headquarters   
   Newington, CT  October 21, 2016   
   To all radio amateurs   
      
   SB SPACE ARL ARLS008   
   ARLS008 Apparent ARISS Radio Failure Prompts Shift to Russian Service Module   
   Ham Gear   
      
   The VHF handheld transceiver that the Amateur Radio on the International Space   
   Station (ARISS) program has used to connect students worldwide with astronauts   
   on board the International Space Station (ISS) for more than 16 years has   
   begun to display an error message and is unusable at this time.   
      
   While the ARISS technical team evaluates the best path to restore operation   
   from the ISS Columbus module, ARISS contacts will be supported using the   
   Kenwood radio in the Russian Service Module.   
      
   During this period, the packet digipeater will be unavailable. Switching to   
   the 70 centimeter capability on board the Columbus module for some operations   
   is being coordinated. ARISS said to expect further updates as it works to   
   resolve the problem.   
      
   A reminder: The deadline is November 1 for formal and informal education   
   institutions and organizations to submit proposals to host an Amateur Radio   
   contact with an ISS crew member. ARISS anticipates that contacts will take   
   place between July 1 and December 31, 2017. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits   
   determine contact dates.   
      
   To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is looking for   
   organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the   
   ham radio contact into a well-developed education plan.   
      
   NNNN   
   /EX   
      
   )\/(ark   
      
   Always Mount a Scratch Monkey   
   Do you manage your own servers? If you are not running an IDS/IPS yer doin' it   
   wrong...   
   ... Never serve oysters in a month that has no paycheck in it.   
   ---   
    * Origin:  (1:3634/12.73)