VHF-stationen på ISS har tydligen gett upp efter 16 års användning(!). Mera info från ANS:
VHF Handheld Radio Failed, ARISS Contacts Moved to Kenwood Radio on Board
the International Space Station (ISS)
The VHF handheld radio model that has been used by the ARISS program to
connect students worldwide with astronauts on board the International Space
Station (ISS) for over 16 years has given an error message and is unusable at
this time. While the ARISS technical team evaluates the best path to restore
operation from the Columbus module, ARISS contacts will be supported using the
Kenwood radio in the Russian Service Module. During this period, the packet
digipeater will be unavailable.
Switching to the 70 cm radio capability on board the Columbus module for some
operations is being coordinated. Expect further updates as we work to resolve
this problem.
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative
venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that
support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors
are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay
League (ARRL), the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) and
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of
ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio
between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or informal
education venues. With the help of experienced amateur radio volunteers, ISS
crews speak directly with large audiences in a variety of public forums.
Before and during these radio contacts, students, teachers, parents, and
communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio.
For more information, see
www.ariss.org
www.amsat.org
www.arrl.org.