Local Radio Club Member Connects with International Space Station

Communicating with the orbiting lab requires only modest radio equipment and precise timing.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A member of the Long Weekender Radio Club in Long Beach, California successfully communicated with the International Space Station using a low-cost handheld radio and a flexible antenna. The process of contacting the ISS, which orbits the Earth at 17,500 mph, is well-documented and can be replicated by other licensed amateur radio operators.

Why it matters

This achievement highlights the accessibility of communicating with space-based assets like the ISS for amateur radio enthusiasts. It also demonstrates the vital role that ham, GMRS, and FRS radios can play in emergency communication when infrastructure is down, allowing people to help themselves and others during disasters.

The details

The radio club member, using a Baofeng UV-17 Pro GPS 5W Radio and a Nagoya NA-320A antenna costing around $60 total, was able to successfully contact the ISS on his second attempt. Messages must be under 10 seconds due to the station's fast-moving, short overhead passes. A typical call is: 'NA1SS, [your call sign], [your name], [grid square location], over.' The International Space Station, the largest human-made object in space, orbits the Earth 16 times daily at an altitude of 250 miles.

  • The successful contact occurred on February 11, 2026 at approximately 5:52 a.m.
  • The radio club member had only looked into communicating with the ISS five days prior to his successful transmission.

The players

Long Weekender Radio Club

A local amateur radio club in Long Beach, California that provides education and support for members interested in communicating with the International Space Station and using radios in emergency situations.

NA1SS

The primary U.S.-licensed amateur radio call sign for the International Space Station.

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What they’re saying

“Communicating with the International Space Station via amateur radio is achievable for all licensed operators, often requiring only a mobile handheld transceiver, a modest antenna and precise tracking of the station's orbital position as it passes approximately 250 miles above the earth.”

— Rich Jackson, LW Contributor (lwweekly.com)

What’s next

The Long Weekender Radio Club plans to host a workshop to teach other licensed amateur radio operators how to communicate with the International Space Station using affordable equipment.

The takeaway

This story showcases the accessibility of space-based communication for amateur radio enthusiasts and the vital role that ham, GMRS, and FRS radios can play in providing emergency communication when traditional infrastructure is unavailable.