BATC Forum

Hi everyone

I've looking for information on ISS video broadcasting at 2,4 GHz and I've found (http://www.ariss.org/hamtv-on-the-iss.html) that it was working some time ago, at least as "Blank transmission". Last report on that page says something about an school transmission and so on but they don't go into further details. As far as I can see in the broadcasting web of batc (http://www.batc.tv/iss/) no transmission is being made at all, isn't it? Has anyone got any information on this?

Thanks a lot

Yes the ISS is broadcasting nearly 24/7. The only time the transmitter is off is when they have a cargo module docking or they are using the power supply for something else. Basically it is on 24/7.

I am not sure how much you know about satellite tracking, but in order to receive a signal the ISS needs to be overhead.

The signal is relatively weak at low angles (high distances) but much stronger when directly overhead. If you want to receive a long duration of video (6 minutes) you need a 1.2m diameter dish, expensive low noise pre-amplifier and receiver etc. If you just want a minute or two when overhead normal directional wifi or DIY antennas may be fine.

Now comes the tricky bit. The video camera is not normally connected as it needs a battery. So normally you get digital video with a black screen. Special software detects this and records signal strength and beeps.

In order to see something, ideally you want to receive at the EXACT same time an Astronaut is talking to a European school AND has the HAMTV turned on. We hope to have 15 school contacts with the French Astronaut in late 2016 early 2017. There is currently a problem with one of the voice radios in the colombus module, so these may take place from the Russian segment meaning no chance of video. Nothing definite yet.

On the technical side, you need good tracking (azimuth and elevation) , a good pre-amp, and the ONLY recommend receiver is the minituner from F6DZP, which is a kit based receiver with special software for HAMTV. There may be more kits available soon. They are all sold out at the moment.

Regarding the BATC HAMTV streaming, this is only used during live school contacts. All the European ground stations only track the ISS during school contacts and for testing.

There are lots of videos here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQS-yD ... Rv4MNu8pCw
of previous events.

If you have questions there is an email group for hamtv here:
https://ca.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/hamtv/info