HAM radio enthusiast makes contact with International Space Station

Dad-of-two Adrian Lane has been communicating with strangers from his concrete outhouse for almost 20 years but usually only speaks to fellow radio hams. But when he heard the International Space Station was going to be passing over his home in Coleford, Glos he was determined to make contact. Adrian, 52, plotted its route and worked out the brief window during which it would be 200 miles overhead, travelling at 18,500mph. As it came into his frequency he sent out a call with his unique sign and to his delight an American astronaut answered back to "welcome him aboard". The pair chatted for around 50 seconds before the space station shot out of range.