ArcticFox has a robust built-in data center with advanced technology infrastructure with a builtin network as well as multiple methods of accessing the Internet as well as short, medium and long distance radio communications.

Compute, Connectivity & Communications

Internet Connectivity

Pic of Starlink Dish

ArcticFox has a built-in router that selects one of multiple complementary methods for Internet access. This includes cellular mobile, starlink satellite and guest WiFi. Use-cases for each type of Internet Connectivity includes:

Local WiFi Internet connectivity such as in the Walmart parking lot.

Cellular Internet via 4G or 5G mobile service. The Cellular service is augmented by a cell service booster with an omni-directional antenna to make the most of even the weakest available signal.

Satellite Starlink for Internet access away from civilization.

Security is provided with an integrated firewall that delivers network bi-direction access controls.

Vehicle Network

The platform includes both a wired Gig Ethernet network with a 4 port switch as well as a 2.4 & 5 Ghz WiFi wireless network. The WiFi network provides two encrypted wireless SSIDs.

Arctic-Crew - This provides you and your ArcticFox adventure mate a private network.

Arctic-Guest - Extends ArcticFox's network infrastructure providing a separate networl for friends you meet along the way.

These networks can support multiple simultaneous devices including computers, mobile phones, tablets and any other WiFi or ethernet enabled devices.

Network Attached

Storage (NAS)

Radio / Speaker / NAV System

The built-in ruggedized 1TB network attached storage unit can be used to store key files you need to carry with you such as product manuals as well as backup storage for photos and videos from your adventures.

The NAS is upgradable to 2TB or 4TB as needed.

The vehicle radio is an amplified Alpine radio system with built-in GPS Navigation system. It is fully integrated with the backup camera and

supports input from a variety of devices using direct connect and bluetooth. Output is to 8 amplified embedded JBL speakers.

Media / Application Server

The Datacenter contains a mounted server with a N100 Intel CPU, 16Gb RAM and 512Gb SSD Storage. It is configured as a Media server that serves up Movies, TV Shows, Videos, Music, and Audio Books. This unit runs Linux and packs the processing power to transcode multiple 4K streams with minimal electrical consumption.

Multiple users can connect from a variety of devices such as IOS, Android, Mac, Linux or Windows.

However, the server is not limited to being just a media server and can be configured for a variety of applications and functions in the future as required.

Radio Communications

ArcticFox is equipped with a standard GMRS radio as well as perhaps the best UHF/VHF radio ever made, the venerable Kenwood TM-D710GA. This is a 50 watt radio paired with a superb diamond antenna. The unit is capable of both voice as well as digital communications. Communicate with repeaters within 50 mile range, use it as a local repeater for a hand-held when outside the vehicle, as well as communicate with the International Space Station (ISS) along with any number of communications satellites.

The Kenwood TM-D710GA is the very model that NASA Astronauts use on the ISS.

Advanced capabilities include:

- High power output(50W)

- GPS Logging

- Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) for Geo Updates

- Digipeater Functionality

- 1,000 multifunction memory channels

- Multiple Channel Scan

- 5 Independent Stored Operating Profiles

- Separate VOL/SQL for A & B bands

- Packet monitor

- DX Cluster

- Waypoint data output

- Band mask

- Call channel

- Monitor function

- Selectable frequency step

Communicate with the ISS

The ISS crew operate the Kenwood radio in the crossband repeater mode, and hams can make contacts with the ISS station when the crew members are working. Hams can also communicate with each other using the ISS packet (computer) radio mode, or receive slow scan television mode images.

A typical ground station for contacting the ISS station includes a

2-meter FM transceiver and 25-100watts of output power. A circularly polarized crossed-Yagi antenna capable of being pointed in both azimuth (North-South-East-West) and elevation (degrees above the horizon) is desirable. But successful contacts have even been made with vertical and ground plane antennas.

Visit the the "Beginners" sections of the AMSAT-NA or AMSAT-UK websites for information on getting started with all modes of amateur radio satellite operation.

ISS Communication Frequencies

The following frequencies are used for ISS contacts (QSOs):

Voice and SSTV Downlink: 145.80 (Worldwide)
Voice Uplink: 144.49 for ITU Regions 2 and 3 (Americas, Pacific & Asia)
Voice Uplink: 145.20 for ITU Region 1 (Europe, Russia and Africa)
VHF Packet Uplink and Downlink: 145.825 (Worldwide)
UHF Packet Uplink and Downlink: 437.550
VHF/UHF Repeater Uplink: 145.99 (PL 67 Hz)
VHF/UHF Repeater Downlink: 437.80

ISS Call Signs

Russian: RS0ISS

USA: NA1SS

European: DP0ISS, OR4ISS, IR0ISS

ISS Detector

Track when the ISS or other communications satellites are overhead with the following Satellite tracking app:

ISS DETECTOR