Gery:
if they are in voice mode they are very normal contacts.
You need to be able to receive on one band while transmitting on another,
but other then that, you can talk to them.
Sometimes it helps to have directional antenna arrays, but you don't need
them necesarily....using a regular omny directional antenna does work, but
just for a much shorter time.
They do use other modes though so you have to check out the schedules on
www.amsat.org
to find out when they will be using FM voice.
73
Colin, V A6BKX
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gery Gaubert" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2006 7:59 AM
Subject: communications with space stations
> I was reading a bulletin from the ARRL about the international space =
> station. There were up link and down link frequencies listed. How can =
> one listen to the communications or do you need special gear to hear =
> these transmissions?
>