Working into Ireland and Spain via FM Satellite Using Ham Radio

I adjusted the Satellite antennas position as the storms and strong winds recently had moved them off by 10-15 degrees which I noticed mainly on the FM Sats and ISS. Hopefully I am back on target with an accurate aim once again. It seemed good when I tried it out on the FM bird SO-50 a few moments earlier., I made a contact with Robbie EI2IP and Alfredo EA5FNE. I will continue to experiment over the next few passes, so far so good! 

 

Satellite Tracking With Sky Roof and SatPC32 - Ham Radio

Some intresting software for satellite enthusiasts. SkyRoof and SatPC32

CQWW 2025 - DX On 10 Meters

 

What a fantastic weekend we had this time around for the 2025 CQWW. I really enjoyed the weekend and I spent all my time working tons of DX up on the 10 meter band. 

I don't really fuss over contests but I do always where possible try to ensure that I partake in the CQWW SSB contest. This is the best contest of all in my opinion, I usually operate across all bands and normally work anywhere from 16 to 22 Zones. 

Last year was very good propagation, I entered as a High power with 200W Single operator All Bands Station and came in 7th place Classic Op in England.

This year I ran Low power 100W and worked as a Single operator on 10 Meter only. My over all Zone count went up by 2 extra as I managed to work 24 out of 40 Zones this time around on the one band. The conditions were very good especially Far East and Pacific areas. North and South America were also coming in well and I grabbed a couple of previously unworked Islands from the West Indies.

The 10 Meter band was open early morning both days and stayed open up  until 20:00 UTC Sat eve and around about 19:00 on Sunday. After 10 Meters closed down I checked the lower HF bands which were all lively with Contest activity. It was most definitely a fantastic weekend of DX opportunities and My Cushcraft MA5B is no longer a mini beam on 28Mhz its a full size Yagi for 10M and works amazing!  Its pretty brilliant on 15M as well as the other bands its designed to work on.

As usual I had the M0YKS HAMRADIO videos capturing some of the contest DX. These are on my channel and added to my CQWW Playlist found below. It has CQWW Contests from 2006 to 2025. I hope to catch you next time around in CQWW2026 all being well. 73 tnx.

Yaesu FTDX101MP Audio Settings

After being asked for my audio settings for the FTDX101MP (or FTDX101D) I thought I would share my settings here for you to view.

These settings work well for me on all Phone modes - AM, SSB and FM. I have the M70 microphone 🎤.

Hope it is useful for some of you guys with YAESU FTDX Radio 

HAM RADIO PREP and WORLD RADIO LEAGUE. Savings & Discount Codes

 After recently getting myself up to date with a brand new super slick  windows 11 computer, I have been looking and exploring some of the latest cool amateur radio online logging programs. It's fantastic that we can not only access our radio logs online but these days we see what the other side of the radio contact looks like. I remember getting really excited when I received a bunch of QSL cards through the post all those years ago. I still have them all despite getting into trouble for collecting stuff or hoarding lol. These days I have to admit it is much easier and a lot faster to receive confirmation of a cherished DX radio contact. 

So what else has changed? Well the graphics, images and video content are now making our hobby look cooler than ever and site scraping of Ham radio operator location and equipment details, locator squares, DXCC are self generated thanks to the amazing technical support of the ever evolving Ham Radio community. 

We have some good people out there that build up the ever changing Ham Radio online platforms and applications. 

As you know I use QRZ.com, SATPC32, Winlog32, eQSL.cc, Station Master, MMSSTV, Chirp, OpenGD77 and more. I have a few interesting apps on my phone and tablet such as Look4SAT, Echolink, Ham GPS and World Radio League.

I really enjoy playing around with them all and they certainly fit well with the amateur radio hobby.

Recently I have been playing around with the WRL app and platform. I noticed that the POTA (Parks on the Air) map was particularly well detailed and I also noticed my QTH is surrounded by un activated POTA locations. I have always enjoyed working mobile so having a heap of options on my doorstep is something that I can see myself getting into. 

POTA Map of My Local Parks to Activate

After creating a log I delved into some of the other features on the WRL website which are visually appealing such as the real time DX signal paths coming around the globe as seen below.

I have seen some similar features on Station Master which is the amazing work of fellow YouTuber Stu G5STU. 
The WRL site has lots of interesting features and does offer a free user log on where you can access a lot of features. 

However because your still reading this,  I can share with you a special discount code should you wish to gain membership. This has been offered to me to pass on for anyone to use. Licenced or SWL and it's international so it will work no matter what your location is. 

Click on the link to obtain a 10% discount for anyone that would like WRL (World Radio League) membership.

WRL are also behind Ham Radio Prep which is another awesome online resource based in the US. If you're reading from across the pond and not yet an amateur radio license holder this could be your lucky day. 

Ham Radio Prep offer Ham Radio Online Classes and allow you to access information and training to set you on your way to calling CQ for yourself. After a few hours of online study you will be ready to pass your Ham Radio exam. It boasts on their site you will pass first time or get your money back.

There is a free lesson to try which you can access here. 

If Ham Radio Prep is something you would like to enrol on you can get a discount by using this discount code: M0YKS 

This will mainly be of interest to anyone in the USA but again the code will work for anyone anywhere in the world 🌎.

The codes have been sent to me from Ham Radio Prep Partnerships to help build the amateur radio communities of the future to maintain and safeguard the radio hobby for us all. 

I received some very positive feedback regarding the videos and general Ham Radio Content that I have been blasting out for the last 20 years. This is very encouraging for myself as my YouTube channel celebrates it's 19 year. I started the Ham Radio YouTube Channel back in September 2006. If you were there then and here now I thank you! Let's hope we can continue for many more years to come. 

Thanks for reading and following. 

Special thanks for the Discount codes to Catalina from Ham Radio Prep.

Recap Discount Codes

 WRL (World Radio League)  get yourself a membership Follow this link for the 10% discount: 

Ham Radio Prep  enrol onto your course and get a discount by using this discount code: M0YKS 

Catch up with you all soon. Good luck if you're in your way to getting your own Amateur radio call sign. 73 de Simon M0YKS 

Radtel RT-880 Frequencies Used by M0YKS

For the guys that have asked me for some frequencies to try.

Radtel RT-880 CPS - Screenshots

 Frequencies I have inputted and flashed across to my Radtel RT-880 and other handheld Radios.

Radtel CPS Software available here to download Radtel Site for CPS and latest Firmware

GB1DOG International DOG Day - On The AIR - Hope To Catch You!

GB1DOG Special Call is active alongside other special event stations with the suffix 'DOG' which will also be active from around the world throughout the month of August for International Dog Day.

International DOG Day which is officially on the 26th of August is intended to celebrate our faithful four legged friends globally and to encourage the adoption of Dogs

We will be operating via - HF Bands using SSB and also the Satellite Bands. 

Thanks for saying hello and passing through the page, best73 from IO93CU -  WAB SE13 -  Baildon near Bradford in West Yorkshire. England. de M0YKS and family

Check out these links below for some interesting International DOG Day info and history of dogs.

What is International Dog Day?

Learn about international Dog Day

M0YKS Satellite - Doppler.SQF and SubTone.SQF

 This might be helpful for anyone setting up SatPC32 satellite tracking. If you know what it is, you Know enough! Add the lines to your file found in the Aux Files via (? tab)

M0YKS Latest Doppler.SQF   created 01-11-25

direct links below to saved files:

Doppler.SQL

SubTone.SQL

This file contains all data required for the CAT tuning to operate. 

CAT tuning only works for satellites whose frequencies are contained in the file.  To use the program's tuning functions during Vfo operation, these data are also needed.

 It is essential not to modify the file format, when you edit the file.

Be careful not to add blanks or blank lines. For decimal markers, the point has to be used.

To add another satellite, copy one of the lines, insert the copy into the data section, then modify it for the new satellite.

AO-27,436795,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,FM

AO-7,29450,145900,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,Mode A

AO-7,29502,0,CW,CW,NOR,0,0,CW

AO-7,145950,432150,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,Mode B C

AO-7,145970,0,CW,CW,NOR,0,0,CW

AO-73,145960,435140,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB

AO-73,145935,0,USB,USB,NOR,0,0,1200bps BPSK

AO-85,145979,435182,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,FM CTCSS 67.0Hz/200bps DUV

AO-91,145960,435250,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,FM CTCSS 67.0Hz/200bps DUV

AO-92,145880,435350,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,FM CTCSS 67.0Hz/200bps DUV

AO-95,145920,435300,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,FM CTCSS 67.0Hz/200bps DUV

AO-109,435780,145870,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB

AO-123,436795,145850,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,FM tone 67.0Hz

ARCTICSAT-1,435890,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,2k4 GMSK_USP SSTV

ASRTU-1,435400,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,FM

CAS-2T,435615,145925,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,FM

CAS-2T,435710,0,CW,CW,NOR,0,0,CW

CAS-3A,145675,435040,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB

CAS-3A,145640,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,9k6/19k2*GMSK

CAS-3A,145660,0,CW,CW,NOR,0,0,CW

CAS-3B,145740,435100,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB

CAS-3B,145705,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,9k6/19k2*GMSK

CAS-3B,145725,0,CW,CW,NOR,0,0,CW

CAS-3C,145805,435160,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB

CAS-3C,145770,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,9k6/19k2*GMSK

CAS-3C,145790,0,CW,CW,NOR,0,0,CW

CAS-3D,145870,435220,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB

CAS-3D,145835,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,9k6/19k2*GMSK

CAS-3D,145855,0,CW,CW,NOR,0,0,CW

CAS-3E,145925,435280,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB

CAS-3E,145890,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,9k6 GMSK

CAS-3E,145910,0,CW,CW,NOR,0,0,CW

CAS-3F,145990,435340,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB

CAS-3F,145955,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,9k6 GMSK

CAS-3F,145975,0,CW,CW,NOR,0,0,CW

CAS-3G,145475,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,9k6 GMSK

CAS-3H,437225,145875,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,1k2/4k8*/9k6 FSK FM

CAS-3H,437200,0,CW,CW,NOR,0,0,CW

CAS-3I,437300,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,9k6 GFSK

CAS-4A,145870,435220,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,UHF/VHF SSB

CAS-4A,145835,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,4800bps GMSK

CAS-4A,145855,0,CW,CW,NOR,0,0,CW

CAS-4B,145925,435280,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,UHF/VHF SSB

CAS-4B,145890,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,4800bps GMSK

CAS-4B,145910,0,CW,CW,NOR,0,0,CW

CAS-5A,435540,145820,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,VHF/UHF SSB

CAS-5A,435600,145925,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,VHF/UHF FM

CAS-5A,435650,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,4800bps GMSK image data

CAS-5A,435570,0,CW,CW,NOR,0,0,CW

CAS-6,145925,435280,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,UHF/VHF SSB

CAS-6,145890,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,4800bps GMSK

CAS-6,145910,0,CW,CW,NOR,0,0,CW

CAS-7B,435690,145900,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,VHF/UHF FM

CAS-7B,435715,0,CW,CW,NOR,0,0,UHF CW

CAS-9,435180,145870,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,V/U SSB

CAS-9,435725,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,4800bps GMSK image data

CAS-9,435575,0,CW,CW,NOR,0,0,CW

CAS-10,435180,145870,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,VHF/UHF SSB

DX-1,435000,145000,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB

DX-1,438225,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,9600bps GFSK

EO-88,145975,435030,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB

EO-88,145940,0,USB,USB,NOR,0,0,1200bps BPSK

ES_HAIL-2,10489645,2400175,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,Linear transponder

FOX-1A,145980,435182,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,FM CTCSS 67.0Hz/200bps DUV

FOX-1B,145960,435250,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,FM CTCSS 67.0Hz/200bps DUV

FOX-1C,145920,435300,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,FM U/V

FOX-1C,145920,1267300,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,FM L/V

FOX-1D,145880,435350,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,FM CTCSS 67.0Hz/200bps DUV

FOX-1E,435780,145870,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB

FOX-1E,435750,0,CW,CW,NOR,0,0,CW

FO-29,435850,145950,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB

FO-29,435795,0,CW,CW,NOR,0,0,CW

FO-98,437497,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,1200bps AFSK CW

FO-99,437075,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,9k6FSK pi/4QPSK CW

FO-118,435540,145820,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,VHF/UHF SSB

FO-118,435600,145925,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,VHF/UHF FM

FO-118,435570,0,CW,CW,NOR,0,0,CW

FO-118,435650,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,4800bps GMSK image data

FRAM2,437550,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,FM SSTV

FUNCUBE-1,145960,435140,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB

FUNCUBE-1,145935,0,USB,USB,NOR,0,0,1200bps BPSK

FUNCUBE-2,145940,435070,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB

FUNCUBE-2,145915,0,USB,USB,NOR,0,0,1200bps BPSK

FUNCUBE-5,145975,435030,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB

FUNCUBE-5,145940,0,USB,USB,NOR,0,0,1200bps BPSK

FUNCUBE-6,145865,435110,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB

FUNCUBE-6,145840,0,USB,USB,NOR,0,0,CW

GREENCUBE,435310,435310,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,0k3/1k2/2k4FSK Digipeater

HADES-ICM (SO-125),436664,145875,FM,FM,REV,0,0,FM Voice FSK AFSK AX25

HADES-R (SO-124),436888,145925,FM,FM,REV,0,0,FM Voice FSK AFSK AX25

HADES-B,436888,0,USB,USB,NOR,0,0,50bps USB

HADES-D,436666,0,USB,USB,NOR,0,0,50bps USB

HADES-R,436888,0,USB,USB,NOR,0,0,200bps USB

HADES-ICM,436666,145875,USB,USB,NOR,0,0,200bps USB

HAVELSAT,436845,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,9600bps GMSK CW

HAYASAT-1,437020,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,9600bps GFSK

HA-1,436950,145930,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,FM

HO-107,435825,145925,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB

HO-113,435180,145870,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,V/U SSB

HO-113,435575,0,CW,CW,NOR,0,0,CW

HO-119,435180,145870,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,VHF/UHF SSB

HO-119,435575,0,CW,CW,NOR,0,0,CW

HSU-SAT1,437280,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,1k2AFSK 9K6GMSK SSTV

HUSKYSAT-1,435825,145925,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB

HYDRA-1,437666,0,USB,USB,NOR,0,0,200bps USB

HYDRA-T,437780,0,USB,USB,NOR,0,0,200bps USB

HYDRA-W,437780,0,USB,USB,NOR,0,0,200bps USB

HYVRID,436500,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,2k4FSK 4k8GFSK FM

IO-26,435791,0,FM,USB,NOR,0,0,1200bps JAS

IO-86,435880,145880,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,FM tone 88.5Hz

IO-86,145825,145825,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,APRS

IO-117,435310,435310,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,0k3/1k2/2k4FSK Digipeater

IRIS-C,436915,145860,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,9600bps Digipeater

ISS,437800,145990,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,FM tone 67.0Hz

ISS,145800,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,SSTV

ISS,145825,145825,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,1200bps AFSK Digipeater

JAISAT-1,435700,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,1k2PSK/4k8GMSK SSB CW

JAS-2,435850,145950,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB

JAS-2,435795,0,CW,CW,NOR,0,0,CW

JINJUSAT-1B,435185,0,USB,USB,NOR,0,0,9600bps BSPK

JO-97,145865,435110,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB

JO-97,145840,0,USB,USB,NOR,0,0,CW

JY1SAT,145865,435110,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB

JY1SAT,145840,0,USB,USB,NOR,0,0,CW

LAPAN-A2,435880,145880,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,FM tone 88.5Hz

LAPAN-A2,145825,145825,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,1200bps AFSK

LEDSAT,435190,435310,USB,USB,NOR,0,0,1k2/9k6*FSK Digipeater

LILACSAT-2,437225,145875,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,1k2/4k8*/9k6 FSK FM

MESAT-1,435800,0,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB

MORDOVIA-IOT,437100,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,1143bps AFSK SSTV

MO-122,435825,145925,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB Transponder

NORBI-2,436500,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,Lora

NOAA-2,137620,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,weather sat

NOAA-12,137620,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,weather sat

NOAA-14,137620,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,weather sat

NOAA-15,137620,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,weather sat

NOAA-16,137620,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,weather sat

NOAA-17,137500,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,weather sat

NOAA-18,137913,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,weather sat

NOAA-19,137100,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,weather sat

NOAA-20,2248000,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,weather sat

NOAA-21,2247500,0,USB,USB,NOR,0,0,weather sat

NO-104,435350,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,1k2 SSTV PSK31

ORBICRAFT-ZORKIY,437850,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,4800bps GMSK_USP SSTV

PARUS-T1,145825,145825,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,APRS_Digipeater

PARUS-T2,435250.145980,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,FM

PHASE-4A,10489645,2400175,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,Linear transponder

QO-100,10489645,2400175,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,Linear transponder

RADFXSAT,145960,435250,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,FM CTCSS 67.0Hz/200bps DUV

RS-44,435640,145965,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB

RS-44,435605,0,CW,CW,NOR,0,0,CW

RUZAEVKA-390,437050,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,1143bps AFSK SSTV

SAUDISAT-1C,436795,145850,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,FM tone 67.0Hz

SO-50,436795,145850,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,FM tone 67.0Hz

SO-124,436885,145925,USB,USB,NOR,0,0,200bps USB

SO-125,436666,145875,USB,USB,NOR,0,0,200bps USB

SPROUT,437600,437600,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,Digipeater Digitalker SSTV

SWSU-55-NO1,437050,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,1k145 AFSK SSTV AUDIO

SWSU-55-NO2,437062,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,1k145 AFSK SSTV AUDIO

SWSU-55-NO3,437075,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,1k145 AFSK SSTV AUDIO

SWSU-55-NO4,437082,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,1k145 AFSK SSTV AUDIO

SWSU-55-NO5,437100,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,1k145 AFSK SSTV AUDIO

SWSU-55-NO6,437087,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,1k145 AFSK SSTV AUDIO

SWSU-55-NO7,437113,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,1k145 AFSK SSTV AUDIO

SWSU-55-NO8,437000,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,1k145 AFSK SSTV AUDIO

TO-108,145925,435280,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,UHF/VHF SSBT

TSIOLKOVSKY_RYAZAN-1,437025,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,1k145 AFSK SSTV AUDIO

TSIOLKOVSKY_RYAZAN-2,437013,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,1k145 AFSK SSTV AUDIO

UITMSAT-1,145825,145825,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,APRS digipeater

UKUBE-1,145950,435070,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB

UO-11,145826,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,FM

UVSQ-SAT,437020,145905,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,FM

VO-96,145900,435340,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,FM U/V

XW-2A,145675,435040,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB

XW-2B,145740,435100,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB

XW-2C,145805,435160,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB

XW-2D,145870,435220,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB

XW-2E,145925,435280,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB

XW-2F,145990,435340,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB

XW-3,435180,145870,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,V/U SSB

XW-4,435180,145870,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,VHF/UHF SSB

YUZGU-5,437050,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,1k145 AFSK SSTV AUDIO

YUZGU-6,437062,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,1k145 AFSK SSTV AUDIO

YUZGU-7,437075,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,1k145 AFSK SSTV AUDIO

YUZGU-8,437082,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,1k145 AFSK SSTV AUDIO

YUZGU-9,437100,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,1k145 AFSK SSTV AUDIO

YUZGU-10,437087,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,1k145 AFSK SSTV AUDIO

YUZGU-11,437113,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,1k145 AFSK SSTV AUDIO

YUZGU-12,437000,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,1k145 AFSK SSTV AUDIO

ZHOU-ENLAI,436950,145930,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,FM

Z-SAT,145875,0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,9k6 GMSK CW; Hints

M0YKS Latest SubTone.SQF   created 25-08-25

This file/text contains the data that is required by SatPC32 to control the 

 sub audio tone functions of the radio.

ISS,67.0,$3F,1

AO-51,67.0,$3F,1

SO-50,67.0,$3F,1

SO-50,74.4,$3E,3

SO-67,233.6,$01,36

HO-68,67.0,$3F,1

AO-85,67.0,$3F,1

AO-91,67.0,$3F,1

AO-92,67.0,$3F,1

AO-95,67.0,$3F,1

AO-123,67.0,$3F,1

PO-101,141.3,$3F,1

PicSat,67.0,$3F,1

World 🌎 Amateur Radio Day 2025

Happy World Amateur Radio Day everyone. Enjoy, make some qsos, do some SWL, do what makes you feel happy. QRZ!.......

Humans In Space SSTV - ISS Results 8/12

 

I have been busy catching as many passes as possible from ISS in the hope of capturing the maximum number of the 12 different images that are currently being transmitted from ARISS. As usual the same Images keep popping up due to the timing of the full Earth orbit, this is often the case and I usually receive the same 6 out of 12 over the activity. Sometimes if the SSTV is halted or paused due to work on board or technical issues it can be a good chance to then receive the other images that I am missing. This is due to the time pause and re transmit order or images restarting in a different position of the orbit. This time around so far has been easy enough to catch but yes I was stuck on six images. The last pass came in hot, transmission was readable at 2° and yes! It's a different image - series number 11. That bumped it up to 7/12 and I still have a couple more chances 😁. I very happy with the results so far! (*check the update )

These were the best I received so far this time around. The event runs until tomorrow - Wednesday so it not too late to tune to 145.800 FM (wide) and plug a audio cable into a pc with MMSTV or download an app on your phone and tablet and receive some of the last of this series.

***********  Updated  ************

I got lucky and picked up another wanted mage no 8 for myself, series no 10/12. My patience paid off this time around. Great result from IO93CU.

Catch you again soon with more ham radio blog activity. Thanks for following and passing by. Have a great Easter! 73 de Simon M0YKS

 

M0YKS Shack Updates - 2025

 

Greetings and welcome back to one of the oldest Ham Radio blogs from the UK. Its been a few months since I last posted and I have been a little bit less active in regarding making YouTube videos. That doesn't mean I have been neglecting the actual heart of my interest which of course is HAM Radio. Yes I have continued to be working DX, Rag chewing SAT chasing and general radio fun. In fact I have been hitting some super DX lately from my Toyota RAV whilst travelling to and from work.

The Toyota has my FT-100 and the mono band 20m Mobile base loaded whip which I picked up 18 months ago from Knights Ham and CB Radio supplies, It works very well indeed! I have hit the DX into Iran, VK, USA, Canada, Barbados and St Lucia whilst on the move. Its impressed me how many stations have been surprised how big the signal is from a Mobile station. I made the mount up from some old fittings and replaced the coax with some high quality cored cable which was previously used on my Carolina windom feedline (White outer sheaf) it doesn't stand out as much as the vehicle is silver. The short length to the transceiver seems to do the job with minimum losses.

I have also enjoyed operating in the shack on an evening and of course on Sunday mornings which is still a religion at our QTH. My FTDX101MP is proving to be everything it should be, I am able to work more or less everything  that I can receive. I still haven't coupled up either of the amplifiers as the 200 watts has been more than sufficient during solar cycle 25. My Ancient Cushcraft MA5B is still awesome, it's been superb on all of the bands I put it up on its short homebrew mast many years ago and it's still standing well.

 My tests with the 40m end fed wire have proven to be very interesting, I can now confirm that at this particular location this antenna seems to be the best performer on 80 and 40m both on receive and transmit This is a comparison on the Windom, Dipole and  Fan Dipole. I will be keeping the 49/1 End Fed Halfwave 80m antenna in its current inverted vee configuration, its working great!

As for working the Satellites... I am still busy chasing and pointing my array to the stars. 

I just worked a couple of guys via ISS repeater and also I have been enjoying hitting some of the new SSB birds that are active. I have attached the link here for Satellite Status which is useful to see which satellites are currently operational. If you're new to satellites and the ISS you can track them here with the Amsat SAT tracking  which is online software and works on any device, this can be useful to gain the information regarding what each of the satellite operational frequencies are.

As its Easter I will be off work and hopefully active so listen out for me over the next 10 days. Enjoy youre Easter! 

Special bulletin***** STARTING THIS WEEKEND is ISS SSTV - Here is the latest info from ARISS

On Saturday 12 April is the International Day of Human Space Flight and ARISS is celebrating with an ham radio SSTV event, called “Humans in Space”.
Series 26 will consist in 12 different pictures; transmissions are planned to begin on Friday 11 April 2025 around 17:00 UTC and will run until Wednesday 16 April 2025 around 14:30 UTC.
On the ISS, will be used the Service Module radio and ISS callsign will be RS0ISS; images will be transmitted on 145.800 MHz FM, the SSTV mode will be PD120.

Public is invited to upload decoded images in the ARISS gallery, area "Series 26 - Humans in space" at: https://ariss-usa.org/ARISS_SSTV/; once you've submitted, just clicking on the dedicated button you can apply for the official ARISS SSTV award.

Also, you can request the ARISS QSL contacting the European QSL bureau: https://www.ariss-eu.org/index.php/ariss-station/european-qsl-bureau

Other news...  M7ELC pro radio op!

 As for M7ELC she has been very busy gaining her latest achievement which she earned whilst attending an RAF camp. She had the RAF/ATC basic Radio Operator award and now has upgraded to Bronze level. Hopefully she will be spreading the HAM radio spirit and a few more young operators will rise. More on that when it develops further. In the meantime well done M7ELC! I am super proud!