Latest Keplerian Elements

Contains Kep prelaunch sets for upcoming Shuttle Missions, the latest set for a current mission, and links to other Kep sets.

This picture shows our new Shuttle Retransmission studio which was brought online in 1994. Carolyn Keydash, N3DON is at the controls

One of several Drake L-4B Linear Amplifiers that we use	A Collins KWM-2A HF transceiver that is used

History

Kindled by a desire to spread the excitement of America's space program and of the Space Shuttle in particular, members of the Goddard Amateur Radio Club (WA3NAN) and the Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) devised a plan to re-transmit live, air-to-ground audio over amateur frequencies. After overcoming many hurdles, the Shuttle Retransmission effort began on August 31, 1983, 7 hours prior to the launch of Challenger on mission STS-8 on the local AMSAT/GARC 2 meter repeater by virtue of a waiver granted by the FCC for this purpose. Retransmissions expanded to HF frequencies with the launch of STS-9 on November 28, 1983. Among many firsts for the Shuttle program during this mission was the first use of amateur radio from space by Mission Specialist Owen Garriott, W5LFL.

Joe Grzesik, KU3Z helps put final touches on the new station

The success of this effort is shared by NASA, the Goddard Space Flight Center, AMSAT, hundreds of dedicated volunteer control operators, and by the world-wide support of the Amateur Community.

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Frequencies

Retransmission of Shuttle air-to-ground audio from WA3NAN may be heard on the following frequencies:

Frequency (MHz)	Mode	Antennas
3.860	SSB LSB	N-S/E-W Dipoles
7.185	SSB LSB	N-S/E-W Dipoles
14.295	SSB USB	3-element Yagi
21.395	SSB USB	5-element Yagi
28.650	SSB USB	4-element Yagi
147.45	FM Simplex	Phased vertical

Where SSB is Single-Side-Band and LSB, USB indicate either Lower and Upper Side Band. A short-wave receiver possessing a Beat Frequency Oscillator (BFO) is needed to receive these transmissions.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Shuttle Retransmissions

1. When Are You On The Air ?
--There are several criteria that best determine when you will be able to receive Shuttle Retransmissions (not necessarily in order of priority):
1. While The Crew Is Awake
--We are usually on the air from the time the crew gets its wakeup call (assuming the mission is not of the 24 hour variety) till the time they go into what is called "Pre-Sleep".
2. When Volunteer Operators Are Available
--We have a limited pool of operators available during any single mission. The most difficult days and nights to schedule are usually on the weekends.
3. When Local Weather Permits
--We are located in Greenbelt, MD just outside Washington DC. If you do not hear us and have the means to do so, check our current local weather. If there are thunderstorms (or other inclement weather such as a recent snowfall) currently in the area or predicted, we will likely be off the air until such weather has passed.
4. When Equipment Is Operational
--Given the nature of our equipment, we typically have at least one major failure during a mission. Though we strive to get the failed equipment back on-line as soon as possible there will be downtimes for all bands.

2. How Soon Before Launch Do You Go On The Air?
--We usually begin retransmissions about 1 hour before the predicted launch time.
3. Does Anyone Get Paid To Do This?
--No. This is purely a voluntary activity by our membership as a public service to all Radio Amateurs.
4. What Is NASA's Involvement With The Club?
--The Goddard Amateur Radio Club is one of many employee clubs sanctioned by the Goddard Employee Welfare Association (GEWA).
5. Your Shuttle Retransmissions Are Interfering With My Net...
--We apologize and try to accommodate other Amateur Radio activities that our retransmissions may interfere with. This decision is usually made by the Control Operator on duty and/or the Shuttle Retransmission Director. The club leadership may also consider requests made , in writing, by groups or individual Radio Amateurs.
6. Why Do Other Hams Interfere With Shuttle Retransmissions
--Contrary to popular belief, Radio Amateurs share the frequencies we are allotted by the FCC and our license class. All are free to use the frequencies whenever they want and may not even realize that they are on top of our signal. During missions, we ID the station frequently to let others know that the frequency is in use.
7. I Do Not Hear You In Anytown, Planet Earth, But I Know You Must Be On The Air, Why?
--If you know that we are on the air and you cannot receive our signal and the problem is not with your equipment (receiver and antenna), then it is likely that signal propagation is not good for your geographic location.. Good propagation depends on a number of factors and varies with solar cycle (and storms), time of day, some atmospheric conditions, whether the given frequencies "skip zone" is such that the signal even reaches your location, and what direction and power we are transmitting. We welcome propagation reports since it tells us if it is indeed propagation, or that perhaps it is an antenna or transmitter problem at the station.
8. I Want To Send A Signal Report
--You can send us a signal report to the addresses listed under Contact Information. Please include a Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope (SASE) with appropriate postage if you wish to receive confirmation of your report (we use the QSL bureaus for requests made outside the US). Note that postage comes out of the club budget.
9. How Can I Get NASA TV
--NASA Television offers the general public a front-row seat at mission launches and activities taking place in space during a mission, as well as informational and educational programming, historical documentaries, and updates on the latest developments in aeronautics and space science. NASA TV occasionally airs live coverage of SAREX activities. Programming is received by satellite dish or may be available through your local cable television network.

NASA Television programming can be accessed through GE2, transponder 9C. The frequency is 3880 MHz with an orbital position of 85 degrees West Longitude, with audio at 6.8 MHz. This is a full transponder service and will be operational 24 hours a day. Mission audio may be accessed on GE2, transponder 13 with a frequency of 3971.3 MHz, horizontal polarization.

For more information, contact: Technology and Evaluation Branch, Education Division, Code FET, NASA Headquarters, Washington D.C. 20546, or call (202) 358-1540.

10. Can I Retransmit Communications Between The Space Shuttle And Mission Control On Amateur Frequencies?
--The FCC rules indicate that amateur stations are permitted to retransmit Space Shuttle air-to-ground communications, provided that approval has been obtained from NASA (FCC Rules, Part 97.113 (e)).

In 1990, ARRL sought permission from NASA, on behalf of radio amateurs, to retransmit shuttle communications. The response from NASA's Office of Public Affairs encouraged such retransmissions, and indicated that the audio is public domain.

If you plan to rebroadcast NASA Shuttle audio, please follow these guidelines:

1. In keeping with good amateur practice and the FCC rules, shuttle audio retransmissions should be limited to missions of a specific educational purpose (non-commercial), such as those carrying the SAREX payload.

2. Retransmissions should be done manually (with a control operator present).

3. Occasionally, NASA audio may contain music. Amateurs should avoid, if at all possible, retransmitting music or any other prohibited transmissions not permitted by the FCC rules (FCC Rules, Part 97.113).

   Please note however that the Shuttle audio retransmitted by GARC is not what one can receive from NASA TV. Rather, we get a direct feed from NASCOM. The difference is that this audio feed does not contain other coverage such as press briefings and mission status reports. This is significant because of restrictions on what are considered "permissible" transmissions by the FCC (see item c. above).

11. I Want NASA Goodies, Where Can I Get Them?
--By "goodies" I refer to patches, photos, information related to the Space program, NASA centers, GSFC, projects and so on. Rather than send such requests to GARC, we prefer that you send your queries to the GSFC Visitor's Center at:
GSFC Visitor's Center
Code 130.0
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt MD 20771
12. Can I Become A Member?
--Membership is presently limited to GSFC Civil Servant and Contractor employees and their immediate families. We do extend membership to those outside GSFC provided they assist us with our public service activities including Shuttle Retransmission. We are working to allow other levels of membership to include a "Contributing Membership" that would allow interested individuals to receive our monthly newsletter and help to offset the cost of our activities.

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Contact Information

You can contact the Goddard Amateur Radio Club at the following address:

Goddard ARC/WA3NAN
P.O. Box 86
Greenbelt, MD 20768-0086
(301) 286-6673 (during missions)


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GARC World Wide Web (WWW) Server

The Goddard Amateur Radio Club, Inc. maintains a WWW Server containing a wide variety of information about the club, its activities, as well as links to other Amateur Radio resources. To access this server, you must have an Internet connection and a WWW browser such as NCSA Mosaic, Netscape Communications Corporation NetScape Navigator, or the text-based Lynx. The URL address is

http://garc.gsfc.nasa.gov/

Web Author and Curator
GARC Contact Information

Last Update 11 August, 2005