MURWILLUMBAH, NSW. — This Saturday, Girl Guides of NSW/ACT/NT will speak to astronaut Zena Cardman, KJ5CMN, aboard the International Space Station, as part of the Girl Guides’ Jamboree being held at the Murwillumbah Showgrounds in northern NSW.
The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact is scheduled for Saturday, October 4 at 2026hrs (8.36pm) AEST/1026hrs UTC/GMT at 62 degrees via the Australian (VK) Telebridge Ground Station of Shane Lynd, VK4KHZ.
The Australian (VK) ground station will use the callsign VK4ISS, whilst astronaut Zena Cardman, KJ5CMN, will use the US Space Station callsign of NA1SS.
“The contact will take place during the Closing Ceremony and [the girls] will ask questions,” Jamie Shepheard, spokesperson for the Girl Guides, said.
Due to the limited time available as the ISS passes over Australia, Girl Guides have prepared a series of questions to ask Zena Cardman on the Space Station.
“They are really looking forward to it,” Shepheard said.
“Bush 2 Beach showcases everything that makes Guiding so powerful–girl-led learning, outdoor challenge, friendship and resilience. It’s a reminder that young people, when supported and empowered, shape the future of their communities,” Jo Tonon, State Commissioner of Girl Guides (NSW, ACT & NT) said.
The contact with the International Space Station will allow Girl Guides to experience something ‘out of this world’ and support the value of both the Girl Guides and Amateur Radio.
Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) are valuable skills for young people to learn for their future.
If you have a radio scanner and are within range of the contact, or have a special directional antenna, you may be able to tune in and listen to the contact on 145.800 MHz FM.
For licensed amateur radio operators, the contact may be monitored via Echolink or other amateur radio VoIP systems for those out of the VHF (2m/145MHz) signal range.
If possible, VicNews will re-broadcast the live audio. The ability to do so is yet to be confirmed.
The ISS cross-band repeater and SSTV transmissions will be off-air during this contact.
