SuitSat: Can you hear me Maj. Ivanovich??

I can't recall seeing a story about this on the board. This week, a surplus Russian space suit was fitted with a radio transmitter, christened Ivan Ivanovich and pushed-off from the International Space Station. The suit will automatically transmit a recorded message, a slow-scan TV image (SSTV) and some telemetry on 145.990 (FM). Here's the background story:

Background

Preparations Pictures

It seemed as though the project was dead but radio operators have been picking-up the signal --- although it is very weak. Here is the home page for the project:

SuitSat

Unfortunately for me, the orbit period brings it overhead at my location in the very early morning hours. So far I just haven't been able to muster the energy to get up that early. However, I did detect the carrier yesterday several times. Is anyone else on the board listening for it?

I heard it about 45 minutes ago when it came over my place in Minnesota.

It was very weak and in and out of the noise. I realy couldn't make much out and tried to recieve the Slow Scan TV picture but there just wasn't enough signal strength.

I was using an 11 element Yagi antenna and a preamp but the transmitter
is only 500 milliwats.

It hit a Max elevation last pass of 56 degrees. I'm hoping there will be some higher passes this week before the batteries wear down on the transmitter.

kc0jfy

KC...

Did you hear anything besides the carrier? That's all I've been able to detect. Also, did you report your reception?

It just sounded like a weak carrier in and out of the noise.

I am going to email AMSAT and tell them about it.

I see on my tracking software I will have a pass tonight at 75 degrees elevation and I'm hoping I will get a chance to hear it better and copy the SSTV picture.

kc0jfy