ISS
ARISS Packet Operations with the D700 ISS
ARISS Packet Operations with the D700
September 18, 2008. A second Kenwood TM-D700 arrived on ISS via the Progress M-65 cargo truck. Additional amateur radio hardware including a VOX box to interface with laptop applications such as Slow Scan TV (SpaceCam1)
On August 31, 2003 A new radio from the company Kenwood Company arrived on the International Space Station. The radio is a Kenwood TM-D700 Amateur Radio transceiver which arrived via the Progress 12P Rocket. This radio supports both Voice modes and Packet modes and includes a built-in modem for packet operations. On December 8 2003 the Kenwood TM-D700 was installed in the ISS module called the Zvezda Service Module and has been in operation ever since. This radio has been used extensively for hundreds of pre-arranged schools schedules, and thousands of random voice contacts with Amateur Radio stations around the world. When the system is not being used for Voice operations, it is usually placed in the Packet mode, which will be discussed on these pages.
In August and September of 2006, the D700 was successfully used with the MarexMG SpaceCam Slow Scan TV system. SpaceCam1 was also activated in October 2008.
Note: Most of the Packet manuals were written for the original ISS packet system using the PacComm TNC. There is a link at the bottom of this page which describes some of the differences.
ISS Packet Mail box call sign for
D700: RS0ISS-11
ISS Packet Keyboard call sign for D700: RS0ISS-3
(not used)
ISS Packet Unproto call sign for D700: ARISS
ISS ARISS D700 Packet Examples and Quirks
The TM-D700 has the equivalent of two radios in one box. Normally you use one radio for TX and RX, and the second radio is used for receiving. Then by pushing one button you can switch to the other radio for transiting. The radio on ISS has been programmed to use Both transceivers at all times in a cross connected configuration. When the D700 is in Packet Mode, it will Transmit Packet data on the Left Side Radio and Receive packet Data with the Right Side radio. At the same time, it is listening for Voice Audio with Left Radio and ready to send Voice on the Right Radio. The unusual setup required some unique software configurations that are not used with Terrestrial versions of the TM-D700. With this cross radio configuration running both an Unproto/APRS relays and Mail box at the same time, we have seen some interesting Quirks with this system.
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