Future MarexMG Proposes Projects

The Marex team is constantly working to keep access to ISS Affordable and Fun.  Attached are list of project proposals that we are currently developing.  Your support is always welcome.

USB Vox Replacement Project for SSTV   This project will replace the existing defective VOX box with a new USB VOX box.  The new USB VOX will solve the RF inference problem, which is causing the Kenwood TM-D700 to Lockup while running Laptop SSTV image programs. MS Word Document.

Status Update:  This project was submitted to ARISS and AWG by email.  Under the new ARISS policy, Only Selected AMSAT members are allowed to submit Amateur Radio Projects for the International Space Station.   ARISS never responded to the project proposal since MarexMG is not a member of AMSAT.

Icom/Kantronics Project   This is a copy of the required Project Selection Committee application form, which Marex submitted for the 2008 Moscow meeting in July 2008.  

Status Update:  ARISS took no action.

Icom ID-800 D-Star Project Proposal   Lets give the crew the ability to use such great features as Digital Person to Person calling.  Along with all of the other great Digital features..

Status Update:  Project present in Moscow July 2008.  ARISS said the project had merit, but took no action to approve the project.

Turbo Fan Project Proposal   This is a very simple project.  Bolt on new Heat sinks with fans, to the existing Kenwood TM-D700 on board ISS to make the radio run cooler.  All electronics in space run hotter than on earth.  Lets try to extend the life of the hardware in space and reduce the thermal stress caused by high duty cycle modes such as Cross Band Repeater and SSTV modes.

Status Update:  Project presented to ARISS in 2008.  They claim that over heating is not a problem and then flew a second Kenwood TM-D700 to ISS in October 2008

David Clark Headset Project Proposal   This simply provides an adapter to allow the usage of an "Off-the-Shelf" commercial grade headset to be used with either the Kenwood TM-D700 or the proposed Icom ID-800.

Status Update:  The Project presentation time in Moscow July 2008 was cut short.  I was only able to deliver 1 working system for the Kenwood TM-D700.  ARISS never showed any interest.

Dual Band Cavity filter Project Proposal DCI Dual Band filter project to allow the Amateur Radio Station to operate while other ISS transmitters are active.

Status Update:  Present the project to ARISS in October 2006.  They do not believe their is any problem at this time.  However, if they ever have evidence of a problem, they will contact DCI for their assistance.

Kantronics KPC-9612 Project  This project will replace the existing TNC system with a new system that will provide more functionality and performance.

Status Update:  I present this project to ARISS on several occasions.  ARISS does not believe that ISS requires a working Packet Mail box.  The Packet Mail box on the TM-D700 has a few configuration setting errors, which have never been fixed and have rendered Packet Mail unusable.

Kenwood TM-D700 Replacement and Software Re-write Project:  

The unique cross radio software which was loaded onto the In-flight ISS D700 (2003-2006) was not as efficient as we had hoped.  There were also some unexpected parameter changes discovered with the In-flight unit in August 2006.  We are not sure what caused the data changes (Radiation, Thermal Stress, 3-Years of Service or Crew Intervention). 

As a result of the changes, Marex proposed a plan to rewrite the software parameters on the D700 and to focus on simplifying the software parameters and to perform extensive terrestrial and In-flight testing.  The new software parameters were developed by ARISS and tested on Earth in 2007.  A subset of the code changes have been tested on ISS in 2007 with the In-flight D700 with great results.  We have seen a significant improvement in the performance in both Packet Mail and APRS on the ISS D700.  The Long delay / buffering problem is gone.  Packet Mail is now usable.

Then the settings were reset and we went back to an unusable mail box.  The new software upload never took place to save the new settings.

In October 2008 a new TM-D700 was flown to ISS.  Unfortunately the replacement TM-D700 was still running the bad software.

The Packet Mail box will be Unusable until ARISS is replaced.

 

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Site last updated July 9, 2009
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