Dave VE3KCL is the big dog of pico ballooning. He has done an huge number of fascinating experiments with amazing results (most of the time). Stretching Chinese Balloons Some notes about flying clear Chinese balloons with the U4B transmitter
Category Archives: Tips-Tools
Kazu AG6NS is Developing 2 m APRS
Pico Balloon SSTV on 20 m – First Light
Last Sunday Kazu AG6NS and I tried putting up a tethered pico balloon up flying Kazu’s SSTV code on a ESP-32. It was sending “Martin-1” mode SSTV directly modulating a Si5351 clock generator chip. Due to slow but steady light winds it spent most of the time flying horizontally. We will have something ready toContinue reading “Pico Balloon SSTV on 20 m – First Light”
New Toy!
Miniware MHP Mini Hot Plate – I bought a cheap reflow oven but it was broken when received and never replaced. I mostly hand solder or use a hot air rework tool. This seems like a great tool for hand assembling and rework. There are three preset temps that are preprogrammed but can be changedContinue reading “New Toy!”
New Solar Power Design
Going with cheap Chinese polysilicon solar cells over Powerfilm. The difference between the two in weight is: polysilicon – 3.75 g, Powerfilm is 6.7 g. The cost difference is enormous. The polysilicon is incredibly fragile. The flat connecting wire is called “tabbing” wire and comes pre soldered. I tried using a soldering iron and foundContinue reading “New Solar Power Design”
SF-HAB 