see parachutemobile.org
Please register, go to forums, look at ground operations topic. We have a beacon and a commercial DF (ACR VECTA 2, link to manual is on the forum post) for jumper location in case of an off DZ landing. Would like to recruit fox hunters to operate the DF and participate in other aspects of the operation.
Will be doing some more practice jumps this Saturday October 3 2009 at Byron CA airport, directions can be found at bayareaskydiving.com. Likely time for HAHO ham radio comm jumps is 2-6 PM depending on weather. If we have a low ceiling (below 13,000 ft) or high winds (gusts above 25) we will scrub the jumps and try the next weekend. Safety has to come first.
The big event planned for late Oct early Nov is a high alt HAHO HF ham comm jump from at least 18K and possibly 24K if the FAA will clear us. At those deployment altitudes unexpected winds aloft could carry us many miles from our intended landing area at the Byron Airport. If our oxygen gear fails, we could be impaired and unable to communicate or navigate our chutes. We have used APRS on prior jumps, but packets were not received at low altitudes in that area hence the need for a beacon and DF for max safety.
Contact our crew chief Jon K6OJ, k6oj@arrl.net for info. Join us, this is fun.
73,
Mark AF6IM Jumper 1
Michael KF6WRW Jumper 2