Astronauts on the ISS can now talk with people on Earth with video using simple transmitters. 'Ham TV' has been set up in ESA's Columbus laboratory and already used for talking with ground control. Amateur radio enthusiasts have been able to poll astronauts circling our planet using standard radio equipment since the Station was inaugurated in 2000. Radio signals easily reach the orbital outpost flying 350 km above us on sets readily available to radio enthusiasts. The new Ham TV adds a visual dimension, allowing an audience on the ground to see and hear the astronauts. The hardware, developed by Kayser Italia, was sent to the Station on Japan's space freighter in August last year and connected to an existing S-band antenna on Columbus. Anybody can still hail the Station via radio and, if an astronaut floats by the always-on receiver, they might just pick up and answer the call.
(Score: 3, Funny) by bob_super on Wednesday May 07 2014, @01:36AM
From the title, I thought that the astronauts would now get to watch a video of a fresh steaming ham to boost morale while they eat their dried foods.
(PHBs probably believe that's a morale booster)
(Score: 2) by AnonTechie on Wednesday May 07 2014, @07:51PM
Judging by the number of comments, it seems there are very few Amateur Radio enthusiasts here. I am sorry I posted this story here. Henceforth, I shall avoid stories related to Amateur Radio.
Albert Einstein - "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."
(Score: 1) by floppydisk on Thursday May 08 2014, @01:11PM
Ack! No! This story was interesting. Keep on posting interesting stories, don't avoid posting them just because they have to do with ham radio.
Speaking for myself I'm not an amateur radio enthusiast but the whole field is very interesting and something I'd like to get into at some point. As computers and programming gets more user friendly, ham radio remains the domain of the technically competent.