Ham radio has role in five years of continuous ISS human habitation
Five years ago this week, the International Space Station Expedition 1 crew of US astronaut and
Expedition 1 Commander William ''Shep'' Shepherd, KD5GSL, and Russian cosmonauts Yuri Gidzenko
and Sergei Krikalev, U5MIR, became the first humans to live aboard the ISS. A Russian Soyuz
transporter carrying the space pioneers blasted off October 31, 2000, from Baikonur Cosmodrome in
Kazakhstan and docked with the ISS November 2. At the time, Shepherd was only the second US
astronaut to go into space aboard a Russian launch vehicle. Krikalev went on to serve as commander of
the ISS Expedition 11 crew. The initial Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) station
gear was already aboard the space station by the time the first crew launched. Later in the month, the
Expedition 1 team installed and activated the VHF gear on FM voice and packet under the US call sign
NA1SS and the Russian call sign RS0ISS. Each of the 12 crews that have lived on the ISS to conduct
assembly and research activities has included at least one US radio amateur. The Expedition 12 crew
Commander Bill McArthur, KC5ACR, and Russian cosmonaut Valery Tokarev will remain on the ISS
until next April. Over the years, crew members have conducted nearly 200 ARISS school group contacts
and numerous casual QSOs. NASA has been marking the fifth anniversary of continuous ISS human
occupancy with special activities and has set up a special Web site to mark the anniversary. The
largest and most complex spacecraft ever built, the ISS is the result of a 16-nation partnership led by the
US. More ISS information and photos are on NASA's Space Station page. ARISS is an international
educational outreach with US participation by ARRL, AMSAT and NASA.--some information from NASA
ISRAEL: THE GREAT MORSE DEBATE
As we see the changing of official attitudes towards the compulsory testing of Morse code skills for HF
access, the question is raised as to the future of the code requirement in our little country. The Ministry of
Communications has let it be known that the IARC membership will decide the fate of the code testing.
We know that for many amateurs, the code is just an obstacle to be overcome in obtaining the coveted HF
amateur license, and once they have passed the test, \they forget Morse fairly completely. Personally I like
CW, and a significant number of my contacts are in this mode, especially running QRP, making contacts
under rough conditions, and often just for the plain fun of it. I’ve always felt that a satisfying CW conversation
feels like a fine handshake, and I enjoy the humor that comes across in the originality that some hams show in
how they abbreviate their words. Yet having said this, I wouldn’t want to ram the code down anybody’s throat
who doesn’t want it. Many code-free VHF-UHF licensees have shown themselves to be quite technically
adept in setting up digital networks, FM repeaters, and other aspects that show them to be real fine-business
hams. Since our hobby is rapidly aging with an acute lack of young blood entering ham radio, we have to do
something before we become extinct and our frequencies are sold to commercial interests. The time has come
to let go ... Yes, to let go of near-religious conviction that there can be no HF access without Morse proficiency.
In the final analysis, I would prefer to have ham radio without compulsory Morse than to have no ham radio at
all. P.S. The Canadian authorities now allow a lower passing mark in the amateur theory exam for those who
passed the Morse test. So it may well be a good compromise to give those with Morse skills a discount on their
written exam marks requirement.Those who understand the true value of Morse will learn and use it, no matter
what. - 4X1MK (personal viewpoint) [HaGal, Israel Amateur radio Club]
HOLIDAY PARTY FESTIVE SUCCESS!
BRATS OFFICERS, BOARD RE-ELECTED
Our 4 officers and 5 Board members were re-elected after running without opposition on December 13.
Their names can be found on Page 2 of every issue of The MILLIWATT. The holiday party was highlighted
by great food and the appearance of a reindeer in people garb. A good time was had by all.
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