VA7BWX
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va7bwx.bsky.social
VA7BWX
@va7bwx.bsky.social
A Canadian amateur radio enthusiast who loves science, technology and interesting solutions to any problem.
2025-10-06 Get your ISS SSTV Certificate
IF you were able to get an image that was BARELY RECOGNIZABLE, PLEASE apply for your very own ARISS SSTV certificate. If you aren't a HAM, you can just use your name!
Go here
ariss-usa.org/ARISS_SSTV/s...
fill it out and submit
@arissintl.bsky.social #SSTV
October 7, 2025 at 1:03 AM
2025-10-06 - Don't forget the ISS SSTV Certificate
I think the REAL WIN is grabbing & SEEING the SSTV images appear. For those who want the certificate please apply. The MINIMUM standard is it ONLY has to be barely recognizable & they are very KIND! #ISS #SSTV #HAMRADIO
@jessup-at-large.bsky.social
October 7, 2025 at 12:51 AM
This is PURE GOODNESS! I am super happy that you tried and did so well. Now the interesting question . . . . have you applied for your certificate? PLEASE say YES! #iss #sstv
I like this!
I picked these up on a baofeng uv-5r, stock whip antenna, holding it to my cell phone, Robot36 app.
October 7, 2025 at 12:41 AM
ISS SSTV - 2025-10-03 - 2025-10-09 - The Game is AFOOT!
I prefer posting "average" ISS SSTV images instead of only my best. I HOPE this will give everyone an idea of "how mine are going along" using modest gear. I used a vertical antenna, Kenwood V71, RPi and QSSTV. #ISS #SSTV #hamradio
October 6, 2025 at 3:42 PM
2025-10-16 - The Great Shake out!
On the WEST coast we should be thinking about seismic events and this has good information.
www.shakeout.org
In Metro Van
www.shakeoutbc.ca
Washington State
www.shakeout.org/washington/

I have signed UP AND have a sturdy desk ready to dive underneath!
Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills
Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills help people in homes, schools, and organizations worldwide improve preparedness and practice how to be safe during earthquakes. Register to participate in your state o...
www.shakeout.org
October 3, 2025 at 4:17 AM
Now this is a great post about the ISS SSTV event and BETTER than mine, Peter included "pass data" for Vancouver BC! Nice job bud! #ISSSSTV #AmateurRadio @petervogel.bsky.social
Fire up the SSTV gear ...

the ISS SSTV is a "go". Details in image below.

Set your SDR.receiver to 145.800, and leave it running around the clock for MM-SSTV or RX-SSTV to decode.

Starts 5:20 AM PDT Friday but we (here in Vancouver) don't get a pass until later. Anticipated pass lineup is here.
October 3, 2025 at 2:55 AM
ISS SSTV: If you haven't tried yet, please "give it a go"! The minimum is something "to hear the signal" and something to "translate the sounds to images". You don't even need cables. Robot36 and "ACOUSTIC Coupling" WORKS (Put the device NEXT to the speaker) #ISS #SSTV #hamradio
October 2, 2025 at 7:58 PM
I LOVE these as they are an EASY WIN and this is a certificate event too!
ISS SSTV - 2025-10-03 - 2025-10-09 : 145.800 MHz PD120
The ISS is going to be sending down IMAGES celebrating World Space Week!
Please give it a go & be amazed
#isssstv #amateurradio #SSTV
Great news! The SSTV Series 29 event is being extended! Instead of ending Monday it will now run until Thursday!

There will be pauses for educational contacts along the way. See the graphic for times including those planned outages.

It all starts tomorrow! Good luck!
October 2, 2025 at 7:47 PM
A local club is having a soldering seminar, so I built a portable kit. This means I can have acceptable gear that I am used to, at hand.
Weller W60P, extra tips, Stand, Tip Tinner, Flux Paste, Wire Ball Cleaner, Wick Braid, Solder, Flush Cut pliers, Cutter Strippers, Desoldering Vacuum, Pelican Case
September 25, 2025 at 5:35 PM
2025-09-13 - Repeater SDRs
Our local 2m/70cm repeater here in Van BC Can gave us access to the site SDRs. Although "OLD HAT" to some, I found it incredibly interesting. I watched the waveforms while running the net! Very few transceivers were off frequency/over deviating. #hamradio #amateurradio
September 15, 2025 at 4:15 PM
As I posted about "getting your call sign" on the ISS APRS Map, I have to mention the next outage
Sat Sept 13th 12:40 UTC/8:40am ET
until
Sun Sept 14th 14:05 UTC/10:05am ET
‪ARISS - Amateur Radio on the International Space Station‬

AND everyone should follow
@arissintl.bsky.social
September 10, 2025 at 4:28 PM
2025-08-29 - Change to School Zone hours here in New Westminster & Burnaby BC Canada
Burnaby & New Westminster have extended School Zone Hours. They are now 7am to 10pm School Days!
(here are links to EACH City's websites)
www.burnaby.ca/our-city/new...

www.newwestcity.ca/2025/08/26/c....
August 30, 2025 at 7:01 AM
2025-08-22 - APRS THROUGH the ISS - POST game
There are TONS of GREAT ways to beacon APRS through the ISS. I LOVE whatever you use!
Normally I use a Kenwood V71, a Pi 4B & a VoxBox. A handheld with rubber duck antenna works great too!
Please try & bask in the glory when you show up!
ariss.net
August 22, 2025 at 4:57 PM
2025-08-18 - APRS THROUGH the ISS - The Review
ISS APRS is 145.825 MHz simplex
ISS passes, remember choose ALL & NOT visual passes
www.n2yo.com
Check that ISS transceiver is set to APRS
www.ariss.org/current-stat...
See if others are succeeding
www.amsat.org/status/
Get on the map!
ariss.net
Amateur Radio Stations heard via ISS
ariss.net
August 19, 2025 at 5:57 PM
2025-08-18 - APRS THROUGH the ISS - 7
We are finally HERE!
go to ariss.net
Wait for the ISS to be in RF range
Run APRSDROID, hook up the cables, tune your HT to 145.825, put Vox on and give it a GO!
Please remember to turn Vox off when done!
Bask in the GLORY when your call sign shows up on the MAP!
August 17, 2025 at 6:57 PM
2025-08-17 - APRS THROUGH the ISS - 6.5
Brad's Top Tips
Check ISS Status and Amsat Status first.
Amsat tells if everyone else is succeeding.
Remember when finding the ISS path, you do NOT want VISUAL range! This TOP tip reminds us that RF has an ability to hit the ISS when your eye can't see it.
AMSAT OSCAR Satellite Status
www.amsat.org
August 17, 2025 at 4:58 PM
2025-08-15 - APRS THROUGH the ISS - 6
The MAGIC websites
Current ISS radio setup
www.ariss.org/current-stat...
Status of the ISS and other satellites
www.amsat.org/status/
The MAP the shows if you successfully beaconed THROUGH the ISS
ariss.net
When will the ISS be in RF Range
www.n2yo.com
Current Status of ISS Stations
Status as of August 13 , 2025 ​Columbus Module radio: IORS (Kenwood D710GA) –  STATUS  - C onfigured .    Default m ode is for cross band repeater (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz...
www.ariss.org
August 17, 2025 at 4:41 PM
2025-08-15 - APRS THROUGH the ISS - 5.5
I HOPE your earth based APRS test WORKED
If it did then 90% of the work is done
For ISS APRS all that has to be done is
check that the ISS has APRS running
find the ISS schedule
change frequency to the ISS APRS frequency
beacon and check the ISS APRS Map
August 17, 2025 at 5:59 AM
2025-08-15 - APRS THROUGH the ISS - 5
Go to APRS www.aprs.fi
Start APRS Droid. I use Audio AFSK out & use a cable between device & radio
Put transceiver on 144.390 (For EARTH based APRS)
Plug cable between APRS Droid Device & Transceiver
Set transceiver for VOX
Beacon & check on APRS.fi
Disable VOX
August 17, 2025 at 2:31 AM
2025-08-15 - APRS THROUGH the ISS - 4.5
(I know this is taking too many posts. I prefer a regimented process that makes success easier)
Earlier I suggested APRS Droid but there are TONS of software & hardware solutions to beacon APRS. No matter your choice, I like it. (the image shows our end game)
August 15, 2025 at 6:24 PM
2025-08-15 - APRS THROUGH the ISS - 4
- The terrestrial tools -
APRS Droid on Android
A handheld (I like this for two reasons, VOX and it is easier in the field for the ISS portion)
An appropriate cable from Device to Radio
the website APRS.fi (to make sure all is working right)
aprs.fi – live APRS map
APRS.fi
August 15, 2025 at 3:50 PM
2025-08-14 - APRS THROUGH the ISS - 3
The BIG PLAN
Check that terrestrial APRS working
I will give the links/resources to track the ISS
plus a website to check the ISS is set to APRS
and also a website to see if others are having luck getting through to the ISS
Load the ISS APRS Map
Give it a GO!
August 14, 2025 at 6:36 PM
2025-08-14 - APRS THROUGH the ISS - 2
Depending upon how long you have been involved with APRS, it can have different names & focus. For OUR purpose this doesn't matter, I just want everyone to be able to show up on a map 🤣!
August 14, 2025 at 6:26 PM
2025-08-13 - APRS THROUGH the ISS!
This will take MULTIPLE POSTS so please be patient as I will get there eventually 🤣
I am first going to give an overview of the process, then give a couple of "Brad's Top Tips" and finally end up at an "easy way" to get it to work.
August 13, 2025 at 5:07 PM
2025-08-12 - ISS APRS
I HOPE my ISS SSTV posts gently nudged someone to try receiving the images last month. Perhaps a few even received an ARISS SSTV Award! I LOVE SSTV as it is an EASY WIN and the skills can be extended to . . . bouncing an APRS packed off of the ISS! Yes that is the next POST 😁
August 12, 2025 at 4:43 PM