It was called SAREX: Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment.

Dan/W4NTI

"L." wrote in message
. verio.net...
If memory serves me correct, there was a/were some program(s) which the
Astronauts participated in, and gladly got their tickets..... to show the
kids in school the things they can do, if they try. It was an
"Educational"
thing.......... But if you can get to be an Astronaut which takes much
training, a ham ticket seems so little in comparison - to train for. Yes,
I
suppose it does show you can do anything if you set your mind to doing it,
and make some goals..
NO... the ticket for Ham was/is NOT a prerequisite for being an Astronaut.
There were some Hams who were astronauts, such as John Glenn. I don't know
if he got his license before or after his space tour. This program started
only since the Shuttle launches and Space Stations. Their ticket also
helps
them to stay in touch with others as well. Look at it this way, it won't
clog the frequencies they need to do the business at hand - when staying
in
touch with family or friends who may have their tickets as well. Though
they
used voice, they used packet as well.... E-mail without the phone line.
Hams in Space - I believe was the title of the program.... It "may" have
been a feeble attempt as well, to get a boost in Ham Radio, which wasn't
as
yet faltering.
I'm not sure if they're still doing the Ham stuff in space or not. I
personally have not seen as much hoopla as of late about it. Like any
idea,
it ran it's course. I think they still have Ham equipment on the space
station, but whether it is used, is anyone's guess. No hams, no use....
L.



"Hal Rosser" wrote in message
news
Maybe its the first test - if you can be a Ham - you can do anything.

"Donald James" wrote in message
om...
Please don't flame me if this has been addressed before - I just
couldn't find it.
Is it just a coincidence that astronauts happen to be hams or do they
have to become hams as part of their training? I ask because of how it
seems as though all of them are.

Thanks,


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