Comment on New Objective: Convince an astronaut to use the Fediverse from space
ageedizzle@piefed.ca 16 hours agoThank you!
Comment on New Objective: Convince an astronaut to use the Fediverse from space
ageedizzle@piefed.ca 16 hours agoThank you!
some_kind_of_guy@lemmy.world 16 hours ago
Everything they mentioned checks out, but keep in mind that every ham within line of sight to the station will be trying to get into the repeater as the ISS passes overhead. The number of people trying to talk could realistically be in the thousands when it passes over a large populated country. A full pass at a good angle takes ~5 mins.
People take turns, but it’s usually just a rapid-fire of IDing and maybe some very short pleasantries, then you get out. Anything more is could be considered bad etiquette, and calling the ISS is kind of a big deal! It’s not possible to have a full conversation unless you’re extremely lucky with timing and/or geography, or there’s an astronaut working the radio who wants to chat. I have heard astronauts operating. Sometimes directing and acknowledging contacts sometimes they will have longer form chats, but they’re not at the radio all the time.
It is really fucking cool, though, to be in say, New England and hear someone in Texas or Puerto Rico or Canadian Maritimes coming through on your dinky Chinese handheld! That is a big part of the appeal.
ageedizzle@piefed.ca 16 hours ago
Okay thanks for the heads up
deranger@sh.itjust.works 14 hours ago
Honestly I’ve been doing this for like 2 years now and I’ve not really keyed up and transmitted in the amateur radio sense, just GMRS walkie talkie stuff with the homies. Still, it’s super cool being able to listen. Picking up satcom stuff is just neat. I also take it to the airport and listen to the pilots talk with tower/ground crew.
One of these days I’ll transmit for real, but I have no problem following the “LURK MOAR” guideline as applied to amateur radio as I learn the culture.
some_kind_of_guy@lemmy.world 13 hours ago
Honestly, just go take the test. I found hamradioprep.com useful as it has actual test material from past tests to practice with, and a nice mobile interface.
If I were to do it again I’d study for at least up to General. Most clubs will let you test for General for free immediately after passing Technician. I ended up passing Technician, but not General. It’s been a few years so I’ll have to re-study and go back.
General unlocks a lot of the fun HF privileges.