Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK4d ago

A thread...

Packet from Mir... I have a QSL card for a connection to the R0MIR-1 packet mailbox on Christmas Day (UTC) 1996. Had to leave a message, get a message number from the packet system, and send that in for the QSL card. I don't have the file where I captured my connection as I left my message, but still have the QSL card after all these years...

Show threadPatrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK4d ago
A little over a month later, I tried to make another packet connection to the R0MIR mailbox. I started on the evening of 29 January 1997 (30 January, UTC time), and left my packet system running through the night and into the next morning. I was finally able to connect and leave another message around 1300 UTC (6am local time).
Show threadPatrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK4d ago

I didn't request a QSL card for the second packet connection, but I did keep the capture file. Fun to look back through it after all these years, and also realize how inefficient that single-user orbiting packet mailbox was.

I used a RadioShack HTX-202 2m handheld radio with a 35W VHF amplifier, into a RadioShack VHF/UHF discone about 20 feet/6m above the ground. I think the TNC was an MFJ-1270.

Show threadPatrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK4d ago
At one time in the 2000s, ISS had a packet mailbox, but hasn't had one for a long time. I have made contacts with lots of other stations using APRS messages through the digipeater, including for the satellite bonus during some Field Days. Hopefully ISS will get a digipeater working again...
Show threadPatrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK

Here's the capture file from R0MIR on 30 January 1997 (UTC), covering a few passes over central Arizona that day.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/9sx6mx7g12ar1yf3tczw7/ACQlZZUo33d7WOb3Aqx68ZQ/Mir/R0MIR-1_capture_file-19970130.pdf?rlkey=r0ne4h34so6jz89kv7eryrhqx&dl=0

R0MIR-1_capture_file-19970130.pdf

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Mar 18 at 10:04amWeb