Difference between revisions of "HAMTV from the ISS"
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The HamTV unit was first installed on the ISS in 2013, commissioned in April 2014 and was used for a number of ARISS school contacts in 2016 - 2018. | The HamTV unit was first installed on the ISS in 2013, commissioned in April 2014 and was used for a number of ARISS school contacts in 2016 - 2018. | ||
The unit failed in 2019, and was brought back to earth for repair. It was returned to the ISS on the SpaceX SpX-30 flight on March 21st 2024. It was finally installed and first powered on again on 29th July 2025. | The unit failed in 2019, and was brought back to earth for repair. It was returned to the ISS on the SpaceX SpX-30 flight on March 21st 2024. It was finally installed and first powered on again on 29th July 2025. | ||
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== Purpose == | == Purpose == | ||
| − | The primary use is for ARISS schools contacts, when the astronaut will use a camera to show live video of himself and the inside of the ISS to the school during the VHF radio contact. | + | The primary use of HAMTV is for ARISS schools contacts, when the astronaut will use a camera to show live video of himself and the inside of the ISS to the school during the VHF radio contact. |
[[File:HAMTV 2.jpg|400px]] | [[File:HAMTV 2.jpg|400px]] | ||
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Whilst the transmitter has a number of possible configurations, it is anticipated that most transmissions will be: | Whilst the transmitter has a number of possible configurations, it is anticipated that most transmissions will be: | ||
| − | * | + | * 2395 MHz, RHCP, 2W power at the patch antenna pointing down from the ISS. |
* Modulation: 2.0 Msymbols/second, DVB-S (QPSK), FEC 1/2 | * Modulation: 2.0 Msymbols/second, DVB-S (QPSK), FEC 1/2 | ||
* Content: MPEG-2 video with MP2 audio. | * Content: MPEG-2 video with MP2 audio. | ||
| − | More details can be found at: [[HAMTV from the ISS - HAMTV Transmitter Information]] | + | '''More details can be found at: [[HAMTV from the ISS - HAMTV Transmitter Information]]''' |
== How can I watch HAMTV? (without a ground station) == | == How can I watch HAMTV? (without a ground station) == | ||
| − | A network of ARISS ground stations contribute to a central feed to enable high-quality reception for School Contacts | + | A network of ARISS ground stations contribute to a central feed using the BATC Merger to enable high-quality reception for School Contacts. You can watch the video output whenever ground stations are receiving the signal. |
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| + | '''ARISS / BATC HAMTV Ground Station Network: https://live.ariss.org/hamtv/''' | ||
== How can I build my own ground station to receive HAMTV? == | == How can I build my own ground station to receive HAMTV? == | ||
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Building a ground station to receive HAMTV from the ISS is challenging. | Building a ground station to receive HAMTV from the ISS is challenging. | ||
| − | The link budget is a lot less forgiving of non-optimal stations than VHF/UHF, the 'microwave' frequency brings lots of pitfalls, the equipment can be expensive and/or hard to source, and the limited visibility and fast movement of the space station across the sky can make it time-consuming and frustrating to troubleshoot any problems that occur. | + | The link budget is a lot less forgiving of non-optimal stations than VHF/UHF, the high 'microwave' frequency brings lots of pitfalls, the equipment can be expensive and/or hard to source, and the limited visibility and fast movement of the space station across the sky can make it time-consuming and frustrating to troubleshoot any problems that occur. |
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| + | The result however is being able to receive live video from an Astronaut (during school contacts), with your own S-band ground station! You could also talk to ARISS Ops about joining the ground station network and using your antenna to contribute directly to School Contacts. | ||
| − | + | === Components of a typical ground station === | |
| − | * Antenna - Typically a dish of 0.6-1.2 meters in diameter, | + | * Antenna - Typically a dish of 0.6-1.2 meters in diameter, with a helix or patch feed. |
| − | + | * Pointing Mechanism - to follow the ISS across the sky. Can be motorised, or manual for smaller antennas. | |
| − | * LNA - Required, and mounted as close as possible to minimise coax loss at microwave frequencies. | + | * LNA - Required, and mounted as close as possible to the antenna feed to minimise coax loss at microwave frequencies. |
* Filter - May be required to prevent overload if you have strong WiFi (2400MHz+) or 5G (2380MHz-) nearby. | * Filter - May be required to prevent overload if you have strong WiFi (2400MHz+) or 5G (2380MHz-) nearby. | ||
* Downconverter - Optional, allows use of non-microwave capable receivers, also reduces loss in long coax runs. | * Downconverter - Optional, allows use of non-microwave capable receivers, also reduces loss in long coax runs. | ||
* Receiver - Needs to be capable of receiving 2.4MHz-wide DVB-S. A good receiver can be more tolerant of issues elsewhere in the ground station. | * Receiver - Needs to be capable of receiving 2.4MHz-wide DVB-S. A good receiver can be more tolerant of issues elsewhere in the ground station. | ||
| − | For more information read: [[HAMTV from the ISS - How to build a ground station]] | + | '''For more information read: [[HAMTV from the ISS - How to build a ground station]]''' |
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| + | == Can I help support HAMTV downlinks for ARISS Educational Contacts? == | ||
| + | |||
| + | To assist our volunteer teams with providing a reliable HAMTV experience for the participants at Educational Contact events, a Ground Station Merger facility has been developed to crowd-source the HAMTV data in realtime from geographically diverse ground stations. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Before getting involved you'll need to have a reliable station up and running, however there are also some requirements on the equipment involved that can be found at the link below. | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''[[HAMTV from the ISS - How to contribute to the ARISS Merger]]''' | ||
=Social media= | =Social media= | ||
| − | + | ARISS international on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/ARISS_Intl | |
| − | https:// | + | ARISS International on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/arissintl.bsky.social |
| + | |||
| + | Join and ask questions in the ARISS Discord: https://discord.gg/dQUEE48C | ||
==BATC forum== | ==BATC forum== | ||
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Please post any questions, comments and status updates here: https://forum.batc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8398 | Please post any questions, comments and status updates here: https://forum.batc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8398 | ||
| − | A lot of information is available on the BATC forum: | + | A lot of information is available on the BATC forum: https://forum.batc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=4389 |
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| − | https://forum.batc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=4389 | ||
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| − | Video | + | == Relevant Presentations and Video == |
| − | https:// | + | Colin G4KLB on how he received HamTV in 2014: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9keVA21DPBc YouTube] |
| − | + | Video of HamTV in action during the Tim Peake Principia mission contact with Norwich schools in 2016: [https://youtu.be/DnJmxNCX4V4?si=RySuD0ft1Bcl1nTN YouTube] | |
| − | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J_JA3Syv6Y | + | G8GTZ on receiving HAMTV at the AMSAT UK conference in October 2023: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J_JA3Syv6Y YouTube] |
| − | Next generation HamTV presentation by Phil M0DNY at the AMSAT UK conference in October 2023 | + | Next generation HamTV presentation by Phil M0DNY at the AMSAT UK conference in October 2023: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQvRdG1FBo4 YouTube] |
| − | https:// | + | HamTV Ground Stations presentation by Phil M0DNY in October 2024: [ YouTube (coming soon)] [https://wiki.batc.org.uk/images/c/cd/M0DNY_-_HAMTV_-_AMSAT-UK_2025.pdf Slides] |
==Comments on this wiki page== | ==Comments on this wiki page== | ||
If you have any comments on this wiki page or if you think we should add more information to it, please email them to wiki @ batc.tv | If you have any comments on this wiki page or if you think we should add more information to it, please email them to wiki @ batc.tv | ||
Latest revision as of 14:31, 11 October 2025
HAMTV is the name of the Digital Amateur Television (DATV) transmitter on board the Columbus module of the International Space Station (ISS). It is a DVB-S digital audio and video transmitter, normally on 2395MHz (13cm band).
The HamTV unit was first installed on the ISS in 2013, commissioned in April 2014 and was used for a number of ARISS school contacts in 2016 - 2018. The unit failed in 2019, and was brought back to earth for repair. It was returned to the ISS on the SpaceX SpX-30 flight on March 21st 2024. It was finally installed and first powered on again on 29th July 2025.
Purpose
The primary use of HAMTV is for ARISS schools contacts, when the astronaut will use a camera to show live video of himself and the inside of the ISS to the school during the VHF radio contact.
Outside of school contacts the transmitter is often left switched on to enable experimentation and self-education in the building of ground stations.
Transmission Details
Whilst the transmitter has a number of possible configurations, it is anticipated that most transmissions will be:
- 2395 MHz, RHCP, 2W power at the patch antenna pointing down from the ISS.
- Modulation: 2.0 Msymbols/second, DVB-S (QPSK), FEC 1/2
- Content: MPEG-2 video with MP2 audio.
More details can be found at: HAMTV from the ISS - HAMTV Transmitter Information
How can I watch HAMTV? (without a ground station)
A network of ARISS ground stations contribute to a central feed using the BATC Merger to enable high-quality reception for School Contacts. You can watch the video output whenever ground stations are receiving the signal.
ARISS / BATC HAMTV Ground Station Network: https://live.ariss.org/hamtv/
How can I build my own ground station to receive HAMTV?
Building a ground station to receive HAMTV from the ISS is challenging.
The link budget is a lot less forgiving of non-optimal stations than VHF/UHF, the high 'microwave' frequency brings lots of pitfalls, the equipment can be expensive and/or hard to source, and the limited visibility and fast movement of the space station across the sky can make it time-consuming and frustrating to troubleshoot any problems that occur.
The result however is being able to receive live video from an Astronaut (during school contacts), with your own S-band ground station! You could also talk to ARISS Ops about joining the ground station network and using your antenna to contribute directly to School Contacts.
Components of a typical ground station
- Antenna - Typically a dish of 0.6-1.2 meters in diameter, with a helix or patch feed.
- Pointing Mechanism - to follow the ISS across the sky. Can be motorised, or manual for smaller antennas.
- LNA - Required, and mounted as close as possible to the antenna feed to minimise coax loss at microwave frequencies.
- Filter - May be required to prevent overload if you have strong WiFi (2400MHz+) or 5G (2380MHz-) nearby.
- Downconverter - Optional, allows use of non-microwave capable receivers, also reduces loss in long coax runs.
- Receiver - Needs to be capable of receiving 2.4MHz-wide DVB-S. A good receiver can be more tolerant of issues elsewhere in the ground station.
For more information read: HAMTV from the ISS - How to build a ground station
Can I help support HAMTV downlinks for ARISS Educational Contacts?
To assist our volunteer teams with providing a reliable HAMTV experience for the participants at Educational Contact events, a Ground Station Merger facility has been developed to crowd-source the HAMTV data in realtime from geographically diverse ground stations.
Before getting involved you'll need to have a reliable station up and running, however there are also some requirements on the equipment involved that can be found at the link below.
HAMTV from the ISS - How to contribute to the ARISS Merger
Social media
ARISS international on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/ARISS_Intl
ARISS International on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/arissintl.bsky.social
Join and ask questions in the ARISS Discord: https://discord.gg/dQUEE48C
BATC forum
BATC have setup a new forum thread to discuss receiving HamTV.
Please post any questions, comments and status updates here: https://forum.batc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8398
A lot of information is available on the BATC forum: https://forum.batc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=4389
Relevant Presentations and Video
Colin G4KLB on how he received HamTV in 2014: YouTube
Video of HamTV in action during the Tim Peake Principia mission contact with Norwich schools in 2016: YouTube
G8GTZ on receiving HAMTV at the AMSAT UK conference in October 2023: YouTube
Next generation HamTV presentation by Phil M0DNY at the AMSAT UK conference in October 2023: YouTube
HamTV Ground Stations presentation by Phil M0DNY in October 2024: [ YouTube (coming soon)] Slides
Comments on this wiki page
If you have any comments on this wiki page or if you think we should add more information to it, please email them to wiki @ batc.tv