What is the proper procedures to contact the cosmonauts aboard Mir by voice?
First listen to several Mir voice passes to get a ‘feel’ for how the QSOs go. Remember that you’re only going to hear the downlink portion of the QSOs, and Mir’s altitude makes it accessible by hams in a very very large region. Be careful not to interrupt the cosmonaut while they’re talking to somebody else. Let them control the flow of the QSOs. When the cosmonaut announces ‘next station’ transmit your call sign in clear international phonetics. There’s probably many folks trying to get through at the same time, so the cosmonaut will try to pick out a call sign, possibly only hearing a portion of the call sign. Congratulations if the cosmonaut responds with your call! Give your correct call if necessary, and go ahead and talk with the cosmonaut. As a rule they’ll be happy to answer your questions about life aboard Mir or what’s happening, and may even ask you what life’s like at your location. When the cosmonaut says ‘next station’ let them go on to somebody else, you’ve had your oppo
