[amsat-bb] ARISS Queries--Answered

[Frank H. Bauer]

All,

The ARISS team has had a number of queries on several topics.  It is hoped
that this e-mail will answer these for you.

1)  25th Anniversary of Ham in Space Special Event Certificate---Many have
asked how to receive the special certificate and what qualifies you for the
certificate.  

Qualification:  Those that have had 2 way communications with the ISS on
Voice, Packet (APRS), or through the voice repeater.  And those that have
heard the ISS from space in any of the ARISS operations modes (Voice, SSTV,
School Contact, Voice Repeater, Digital).  Valid dates to qualify for
certificate:  November 30 to January 15.

Receiving the Certificate:  
A) Please note on your QSL the ARISS mode of operation (e.g. SSTV, voice,
school, etc) and whether the contact with you was 1 way (receive only) or 2
way.  
B) Send your SASE to the normal ARISS QSL volunteer distributor in your area
of the world.  
C) On the outside of the QSL envelope, please include the words "25th
Anniversary Certificate"  
D) Make sure your envelope is big enough to accept an 8.5 by 11 inch
certificate and includes the proper postage.  
E) Go to www.ariss.org if you do not know where to send your QSL and please
use one of the standard international QSL distributors that are noted on the
Web page.  

Important note:  We will be sending your certificate to the volunteer
distributors in bulk AFTER the event is over.  (This saves workload and
money).  So do not expect to see it until 1-2 months after the event closes
on January 15.  

2)  Richard Garriott QSL Card---there are have several queries about the
final results of Richard Garriott's flight and how the QSL cards will be
handled.

QSO Results:  Richard made over 500 voice QSOs during his flight, clearly
more than any single ham has made on-orbit during a short duration mission.
And he sent down about 1000 SSTV images during his flight.

QSL Card:  Those that had a QSO with Richard can receive an ARISS QSL card
using the normal ARISS process.  (See www.ariss.org).  Richard Garriott is
also planning a personal card which is in development.  Once it is
developed, they will be shipped to the ARISS international QSL distribution
volunteers for distribution.  The current plan is that those that have
already sent in for an ARISS QSL card will also get a Richard Garriott
personal card once it is available.  If you made a contact with Richard,
have not sent in your QSL, and would like Richard's personal QSL card,
please stand by for QSL distribution instructions until the QSL card is
ready.  The distribution of this special QSL will parallel how we are
distributing the 25th Anniversary Certificate.

3)  SSTV Operations Web Site---The ARISS team appreciated the special web
page support from UC Berkeley.  They allowed us to use their server to
support SSTV operations during the Richard Garriott's flight.  This was a
temporary solution.  The web site is currently down while we move the web
pages from the Berkeley site to the AMSAT server.  This should be completed
in the next few days.  You will see a follow-on e-mail with details on
connecting up to the SSTV Operations server.  We thank you for your
patience.

On behalf of the ARISS International team of volunteers, I thank you all for
your interest and participation in the ARISS Program. 

73,  Frank Bauer, KA3HDO
AMSAT V.P. for Human Spaceflight Programs
ARISS International Chairman