Phase 1 Hardware

The original amateur radio equipment on board the International Space Station is located in the Functional Cargo Block (FGB), named Zarya. 

Phase 1 is a handheld 5 watt VHF FM transceiver connected to an outboard antenna system that supported docking of the FGB with the Russian Service Module, named Zvesda. These antennas, designed for use near the 2-meter band, no longer support docking and can be used by the ARISS team permanently.

A similar UHF handheld transceiver is on board but will be deployed later.

For voice operation the astronauts use headphones with a microphone attached. Packet Radio is provided by means of a Modem and a portable computer. An Adapter interconnects these units.