ARISS Series 35 SSTV ISS activity gives amateur radio operators and shortwave listeners a practical reason to point an antenna at the International Space Station this week. ARISS scheduled the Series 35 slow-scan television event for November 9\u201316, 2026, with images downlinked from the ISS for ground stations to receive and decode. The important operating detail is simple: SSTV is a receive-only opportunity for most ground stations. Do not assume the ISS cross-band repeater, packet digipeater, or 437.825 MHz APRS channel is available just because you have used it on a previous pass.<\/p>\n
ISS amateur radio modes change as crew schedules, school contacts, station hardware, and ARISS operations require. Before you transmit, verify the current configuration on the official ARISS status pages. That habit prevents accidental transmissions on the wrong uplink, protects scheduled operations, and makes you a better satellite operator.<\/p>\n
Slow-scan television, or SSTV, sends a still image as audio tones over an FM voice channel. During an ISS SSTV event, the station transmits one image at a time, then pauses before the next image. A ground station receives the FM audio and feeds it to decoding software or a phone app, which reconstructs the picture line by line.<\/p>\n
For ARISS Series 35, use the official ARISS announcement as the starting point: ARISS News Release No. 26-67<\/a>. Event dates, timing, and operational notes can change, so treat the announcement and later ARISS updates as authoritative over memory, social media posts, or old frequency lists.<\/p>\n The typical ARISS SSTV downlink is 145.800 MHz FM, and the commonly used SSTV mode for recent ARISS image events has been PD120. However, always confirm the details for the specific event. If your decoder does not automatically detect the mode, PD120 is a sensible first setting only when it matches the current ARISS instructions.<\/p>\n You do not need a large satellite station to receive ISS SSTV, but you do need a pass with decent elevation, a stable FM receiver, and clean audio into the decoder. A handheld radio can work with a suitable antenna, but a computer-controlled VHF receiver, SDR, or all-mode VHF rig often makes recording and later decoding easier.<\/p>\n For many operators, the best first pass is not the lowest one on the schedule. A high pass gives the receiver more time above local obstructions, and the signal is generally easier to copy. If you are using an SDR, record the baseband or demodulated audio so you can try different audio levels and filters later.<\/p>\n The ISS is in low Earth orbit, so Doppler shift is real. On 145 MHz, the shift is only a few kilohertz across a pass. Many FM receivers are wide enough that you can leave the radio on the published VHF downlink and still decode successfully, especially with a clean signal. If your receiver uses narrow filtering or you are chasing a marginal pass, small tuning adjustments may help.<\/p>\n On UHF downlinks and uplinks, Doppler is more significant. Around 437 MHz, the shift can be roughly plus or minus 10 kHz over a pass. That matters more for the FM repeater downlink and any UHF packet or APRS operation than it does for VHF SSTV receive. Use satellite memories or CAT control when available, but do not let automation replace checking the current ARISS mode.<\/p>\n The core operating problem this week is not only receiving images. It is knowing when not to transmit. The ISS amateur station can support different modes, but those modes are not all guaranteed active at the same time. ARISS may configure radios for SSTV, school contacts, cross-band FM repeater service, packet, or other operations. Hardware location also matters: ARISS status pages distinguish details for equipment associated with the Columbus module and the Zvezda service module.<\/p>\n Before transmitting, check the ARISS Current Status of ISS Stations<\/a>. That page is the best first stop for current mode information. If it says the repeater is off, do not call on the repeater uplink. If it lists APRS details for 437.825 MHz, read the whole entry rather than assuming it behaves like the older 145.825 MHz ISS packet setup.<\/p>\n The ISS FM repeater, when active, is a cross-band satellite repeater. Operators typically receive on UHF and transmit on VHF, using the uplink tone specified by ARISS. The ARISS status page has listed Columbus repeater details, including frequency and tone information, but you should always check the page immediately before operating because the repeater can be disabled for SSTV, school contacts, maintenance, or crew activities.<\/p>\n If the repeater is active, operate like a courteous satellite user. Listen before transmitting. Use minimum practical power for your station and pass geometry. Give your call sign clearly. Make short exchanges. Do not whistle, tune up, or repeatedly key the uplink just to see whether you can hear yourself. The repeater footprint is large, and one poor operating habit can cover other stations over a wide area.<\/p>\n Also remember Doppler. On a UHF downlink, you may need several receive memories or continuous tuning across the pass. If you hear stations clearly but cannot get in, do not automatically increase power. Check the published uplink, CTCSS tone, antenna polarization, pass geometry, and whether the repeater is still active.<\/p>\nReceive First: A Clean SSTV Setup<\/h2>\n
Basic receive checklist<\/h3>\n
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Handling Doppler Without Overcomplicating It<\/h2>\n
After SSTV: Do Not Guess the Active ISS Radio Mode<\/h2>\n
Common mode confusion to avoid<\/h3>\n
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Verifying the Columbus FM Repeater<\/h2>\n
Verifying 437.825 MHz APRS<\/h2>\n