Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club
Monroe School Talks to International Space Station

On December 17, 2003, a fourth grade class at Monroe School taught by Winnie Hennigan KA6OFZ spoke live with Mike Foale on the International Space Station NA1SS.

NASA and the International Space Station provide for scheduled contacts with schools worldwide via amateur radio. The process can be somewhat daunting, as the school must come up with an academic plan and show that it has the technical capacity to assemble a station capable of tracking the space station.

SBARC was crucial in making the contact a success. The antennas and rotators used were a gift to the Club. The Yaesu satellite transceiver was loaned by Dave Jacobs K9KBX. KE6HTS steered the antennas to track the orbiter, following its position with a computer tracking program. Dennis, WB6OBB rode gain and captured an outstanding recording of the audio. K6DXW, in addition to watching his granddaughter talk to the space station, helped to assemble the gear and run wires across the parking lot. Other SBARC volunteers videotaped the event (and bailed out a local TV station that showed up late) and helped with logistics.

The event is something that these fourth-graders are unlikely to forget for a long time to come. While they may not become astronauts, they may become hams.

		ISS Audio...