It was about 24 inches in diameter and looked somewhat like a large aluminum cake pan. The transceiver then connected to the antenna. In addition to the general calls, Dr. Garriott made a few calls to specific Earth-bound hams at prearranged times and dates. Among others, I was able to speak with the Amateur Radio Club in my hometown of Enid, Oklahoma, with my mom, with Senator Goldwater, and with King Hussein, who was an avid ham. Since that first voyage into space, NASA has sent ham radios into space on dozens of Shuttle flights, and astronauts have spoken to hams around the world.
Students dialog with orbiting astronauts about space flight and on-board experiments.
Individual amateur radio operators also get to join the fun, and are eager for contact with the astronauts. NASA saw how using an amateur radio would be a good thing for astronauts to do in their spare time on the space station. Since astronauts will be staying longer in space while on the Station, there will be more opportunities for ham radio contacts. Many astronauts are already ham operators, and others plan to qualify just so they can talk to folks from space. In order to obtain a license, a ham must pass a test about radio theory, rules and regulations, and International Morse Code.