Have you ever thought about receiving pictures sent from the International Space Station to Earth? Actually, all you need is a simple handheld radio and your mobile phone to make it happen!

The International Space Station (ISS) holds an annual Slow-Scan Television (SSTV) event where images are transmitted to Earth. SSTV is a primary method used by amateur radio enthusiasts to transmit pictures. In simple terms, images are converted into a sound signal using specialized SSTV software and then transmitted through amateur radio. The receiver decodes the sound using the same software and displays the image sent by the sender.

Most of the astronauts on the International Space Station are licensed amateur radio enthusiasts who use SSTV as a means to transmit many interesting images to Earth. These images include astronaut photographs, pictures of spacecraft, and images of celestial bodies captured by the spacecraft.

So, how can you receive these beautiful images sent by the astronauts using a walkie-talkie? Here's a guide: The ISS SSTV event usually takes place on 145.800MHz. Therefore, you first need a portable walkie-talkie that can receive this frequency. When the ISS passes over your location, find an open area with good electromagnetic conditions, and wait patiently. You may hear a strange or even ear-piercing sound, record this sound using a recording device. Then, use a dedicated SSTV decoding software on your phone or computer to decode the sound, and you will receive the images sent by the astronauts on the International Space Station.

Of course, you can increase the chances of receiving signals by choosing an area with higher terrain and fewer obstructions, using a Yagi antenna, and using software to determine the appropriate time for the satellite to pass overhead.