Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: "Pico Balloon" payloads and other experimental payloads  (Read 6821 times)

N2ICZ

  • Posts: 11
    • HomeURL
"Pico Balloon" payloads and other experimental payloads
« on: June 06, 2016, 07:13:07 AM »

I'm quite fascinated with the recent launches of Andy Nguyen VK3YT's (and others) "pico balloon" experiments. What exactly are the payloads he's using to keep things so light.  I've researched a couple of Arduino APRS trackers online, but they seem bigger than what he's sending aloft. 

Also.  What other payloads might be interesting to send aloft as a "test", with or without tracking?  Any ideas?  How about a simple fox hunt transmitter/beacon or model locator beacon.  No Lat/Long tracking but relying on the ham community to track and share the info on a specially designed website. 

Just brainstorming here.... 

73  Larry N2ICZ
Logged

N8CM

  • Member
  • Posts: 0
RE: "Pico Balloon" payloads and other experimental payloads
« Reply #1 on: June 07, 2016, 12:50:41 PM »

I believe he makes all his own transmitters.  AUW is about 7-10 grams if I'm not mistaken.  Also check out https://kt5tk.wordpress.com/  and w7qo. 
Logged

KD8MJR

  • Member
  • Posts: 6017
RE: "Pico Balloon" payloads and other experimental payloads
« Reply #2 on: June 09, 2016, 12:25:52 AM »

I would imagine it would be a lot harder to get hams involved if you leave out telemetry data. Also a website that people can follow the tracking info is also a big incentive.
Logged
“A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.”  (Mark Twain)

VK2FAK

  • Member
  • Posts: 96
RE: "Pico Balloon" payloads and other experimental payloads
« Reply #3 on: July 31, 2016, 03:47:20 PM »

Hi all...

Just adding a little info here.. Bob ZL1RS has what we call a Floater (Buoy) in water now for over 8 weeks, it's floating up through all the Fiji Islands. Not exactly where we wanted it to go but don't have much control over the ocean and wind.. this has also been spotted buy stations around the world.......this only transmits once an hour....as you can expect it wont move far in that hour so no point wasting Battery power....
This can also be found on the 30m band wspr  and Jt9 up around 1750Hz

John
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up