If you have read my earlier blog entry you will know that it is possible to link up a GPS receiver with a 2-way VHF radio and transmit positional data.  This system, called APRS, is a very popular Amateur Radio activity.

Generally this data is transmitted from one fixed 'home' or (vehicular) mobile station to another.  Increased coverage is achieved by receiving stations re-transmitting ('digipeating') incoming position reports.  Some receiving stations also pass incoming position reports to Internet servers so that the location of a transmitting station can be queried via the Findu service.

Taking matters a step further, it is possible to use Amateur Radio satellites to receive/re-transmit signals.  Part of the International Space Station's mission is to provide an 'amateur radio station in space' and it is possible to bounce APRS signals through the ISS' radio station as it passes overhead (around 6 times per day).

The screenshot below (acknowledgements to Google Maps and Findu) shows the position of my car (look for K GJ7LJJ on the map).

If you look at the line of raw data at the top of the screen shot, you can see that my radio signal was:

• transmitted from my car (callsign GL7LJJ)
• received by the International Space Station (callsign RS0ISS-4)
• re-transmitted by ISS and received by a Begian amateur radio station (callsign ON7EQ-1)
• sent to the Findu interner server by the Belgian station.

Now, is that neat or is that neat?

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