By Stan Horzepa, WA1LOU
Contributing Editor

This week, Surfin’ gets ready for ARRL Field Day and ISS pass-overs.

NASA introduced their all-new NASA app for iPhone and iPod Touch. It is the “first major redesign” of the app since 2009.

Being a long-time fan of what goes on in the outer space, I downloaded this free app as soon as I learned of its existence and I have not been disappointed.

For ham radio purposes, the app includes International Space Station (ISS) and Earth-orbiting satellite trackers.

I don’t know about you, but I still get a thrill when I see the ISS pass over with my own eyes. So I was happy to discover that the NASA app includes a feature that lists visible passes for my (and your) locale.

There should be at least one visible pass of the ISS on Saturday night, so if you are out in the open air operating Field Day (like all good hams should), take a break from the cacophony on the low bands and watch the brief show above.

Back on the ground, you may want to consider a ham radio logging iOS app. Searching the App Store, I found HamLog, which has loads of features including “Field Day Logging.” HamLog is not free; it;s only 99 cents -- less than the price of a cup of coffee and it lasts longer.

Until next time, “CQ FD” and keep on surfin’!

Editor’s note: Stan Horzepa, WA1LOU, seeks the unusual in radio. To contact Stan, send e-mail or add comments to the WA1LOU blog.