This is a demonstration of the minimal setup to download SSTV images from the International Space Station ISS. I use a Quansheng UV-K5 set to 145.800 an sql at 0. It is then decoded on the fly using an android tablet with the Robot36 app. You may also record the audio and later decode using Robot36, MMSSTV on your computer or your other favourite decoder.

Of course a fancy self tracking YAGI array would provide better quality, but the basics may also work just fine.

Hams interested in receiving SSTV from the International Space Station (ISS) users may find the Spacecomms ISS SSTV Reception Hints and AMSAT-UK How to hear the ISS pages to be useful resources for getting started.

According to AMSAT-UK it doesn’t take an elaborate rig to listen to the ISS:

Almost any 144 MHz FM rig will receive the ISS, you can even use a general coverage VHF scanner with an external antenna. As far as the antenna is concerned the simpler the better. A 1/4 wave ground plane has a high angle of radiation and works well.¹

ISS SSTV Reception Hints includes sections discussing:

• Recommended decoding software
• Tracking the ISS
• What to expect during a pass
• Hints

How to hear the ISS includes sections discussing:

• History
• What equipment do you need to hear the ISS ?
• Listening Online
• What will you hear ?
• When to listen
• Doppler Shift
• AMSAT-UK