Astronaut Bill McArthur KC5ACR Earns WAC & WAS

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 022.01
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
January 22, 2006
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-022.01

Last weekend, January 14-15 UTC, Astronaut Bill McArthur aboard the
International Space Station operated on the UHF band exclusively. A
report received from Keith, ZS6TW in South Africa indicates that Bill
has completed a sweep of Working All Continents on UHF.

Keith wrote on the ISS Fan Club site, http://www.issfanclub.com, "Bill
was active on UHF voice over RSA on the January 14, 20:00 UTC pass.
Bill contacted me followed by Greald, ZS6BTD in Johannesburg. He said
that our contacts had just completed his worked all continents. It was
a pleasure speaking to him again. 73's Keith, ZS6TW."

The UHF frequency NA1SS is 437.55 MHz simplex when this mode is active.

This is the first time an ISS crew member has worked all 7 continents
on the 430 MHz band. McArthur had previously worked all continents on
145 MHz to be the second ISS crew member to complete that feat. Mike
Fincke worked all 7 during his tour as Science Officer on Expedition 9.

Be sure to send in your QSL cards so Bill can claim his award. Refer
to the ARISS QSL page for information on how to QSL:
http://www.rac.ca/ariss/oindex.htm#QSL's

On January 21, Ed, KL7UW; Dale, KL7XJ; and Kevin, KL0RG worked NA1SS
on pass #41012 so Bill has now completed WAS from space on the 2 meter
band.

Congratulations Bill and thank you for all the time you give to talk
on the radio!

[ANS thanks Kenneth, N5VHO for the above information]