AMSAT-UK

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ARISS Closer to Launching New Radio System

Posted: 14 Mar 2017 03:20 PM PDT
https://amsat-uk.org/2017/03/14/aris...-radio-system/

International Space Station Image Credit NASA

The ARISS team took a giant step closer to flying the new ARISS
Interoperable Radio System to the International Space Station, having met a
major milestone.

Lou McFadin, W5DID, and Kerry Banke, N6IZW, travelled to the NASA Johnson
Space Center (JSC) in Houston, Texas, in mid-February for preliminary
testing of Bankes breadboard version of the ARISS Multi-voltage Power
Supply. The two worked alongside JSC engineers and JSC EMC lab personnel,
putting the specially built power supply through its paces, checking
against US and Russian space specifications for Power Quality and
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) preliminary tests.

The result:Â* Outstanding news-the ARISS Team can move on to the next step,
fabrication of prototype and flight units.Â* The JSC engineers disclosed
that the ARISS breadboard power supply was the first hardware to have
passed all of the space agencies tests!Â* They said the very professional
ARISS Team certainly knew hardware development and design.

ARISS-International Chair Frank Bauer thanked Banke and McFadin for the
multiple days spent putting the unit through the serious battery of NASA
and Russian preliminary electrical tests.Â* Banke expressed pleasure with
the results: I was looking to come away with what we needed to move
forward. We achieved that.Â* He was impressed with the support he and
McFadin received from the testing group, and said key players on those
teams who are also ham radio operators, commented that they find equipment
brought in that is supported by ham radio operators, to earn particularly
good marks.Â* McFadin asserted that the Multi-voltage Power Supplys fine
test results are due to ARISSs team working very well together and being
very experienced.

The completed testing of the breadboard unit means McFadin can now purchase
expensive space-certified parts so the final prototype/flight power
supplies can be fabricated.Â* He and Banke now know that when the final,
even more rigorous tests are done, the units will pass with flying colors.

Watch for more news stories on the hardware and the fundraising campaign to
help support the costs associated with designing, building, and testing the
new ARISS radio system-the Kenwood D710GA and Multi-voltage Power Supply.
Those wishing to contribute toward the final fabrication and flight tests
are highly appreciated and asked to go to the AMSAT website,Â* www.amsat.org
to click on the ARISS Donate button.Â* Or visit the donation page on the
ARISS website, http://www.ariss.org/donate.html

Contributions are tax deductible. Those who contribute $100 or more will
receive the handsome ARISS Challenge Coin.Â* If you or your ham club or
place of employment wish to make a highly substantial contribution, contact
Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, at .

Source ARISS News Release 17-04

Frank Bauer, KA3HDO was on the Ham Talk Live podcast discussing ARISS and

the gear aboard the ISS. The link to the podcast is:

http://www.spreaker.com/user/hamtalk...e-iss-with-fra