From time to time the International Space station transmits Slow Scan TV (SSTV) images as it passes overhead. These are relatively simple to receive and decode and sometimes you can get a downloadable certificate for decoding them.
An evolving notes-to-self type post… The ISS has two digipeaters. One on 145.825 MHz and another on 437.550 MHz. The 2m being easier to use, as you don’t really need to account for doppler is the most popular. Though the 70cm was in widespread use when the 2m went offline a couple of years back.
While messing about with WSJT-X I noticed that it recommends setting the the mode to Data/Pkt if the radio supports it. My radio, a Yaesu FT-450D, does. But it didn’t work. Thus began a couple of hours down the rabbit hole of serial connections…