HAMTV from the ISS

Following repairs carried out last year it now looks likely that the original HAMTV unit will be returned to the ISS with potential commissioning by a visiting astronaut during April 2024.

What is HamTV

HAMTV is the name of the Digital Amateur Television (DATV) transmitter on board the Columbus module of the International Space Station (ISS).

It transmits Digital video and audio in MPEG-2 format using the DVB-S protocol in the 13cms band on 2395MHz.

HAMTV specification

Ham Video downlink frequencies

• 2395 MHz (main operating frequency)
• 2369 MHz
• 2422 MHz
• 2437 MHz

DVB-S modulation

• Symbol rates: 1.3 Ms/s and 2.0 Ms/s
• FEC : ½

Video format

NTSC SIF resolution: 352×240 or D1:720×480