The clear balloons from AliExpress are the most economical way to fly superpressure balloons. They cost in the range of $1.50 each and two are required. They have survived at least 9 complete circumnavigations of the earth. They float a little lower than the SBS-13 so they are a bit more likely to run intoContinue reading “Preparation of the clear chinese balloons”
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Launch on Thursday @ 11:30 AM and Saturday @ 9 AM
We will be sending balloons from the Berkeley Marina There is a bug in the software so it is sending on 20/30 m on alternate transmissions. I am testing with just a short wire and am receiving it fine so it will be interesting how it does with a 20 dipole. Tune in for K6RGGContinue reading “Launch on Thursday @ 11:30 AM and Saturday @ 9 AM”
Where is W6MRR-19?
Robert K6RGG and I launched a pico balloon from the Berkeley Marina at noon, Monday September 20. It didn’t start sending so I gave up. I was alerted to beacons received on September 22 over the Pacific in grid square CL20. It was received by the amazing KFS receiver. It was and continues to reportContinue reading “Where is W6MRR-19?”
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!”
RIP W6MRR-18
Last transmission at 2021-09-19 05:22 UTC. It seems to be sitting on the ground in Turkmenistan and a packet was received in Finland.
W6MRR-18 Update – Iran Next
wspr.rocks Reception Report – Where are all the hams to the east? 10 Day Hysplit Prediction
How High Is The Balloon?
The WSPR power field is used to convey altitude. (I’m using a 10 mW output into a dipole). The latest data can be found in the WSPRnet database. Note – this is out of date, we’re now using more precise 6 character grid square and more precise altitude using Type 1 andf Type 3 WSPRContinue reading “How High Is The Balloon?”
W6MRR-18 Sleeps After Day 13
10 Day HYSPLIT Projection
10 Day Flight Prediction for 9/14/2021
W6MRR-18 stopped sending at dusk over Algeria at 15:30 UTC today. This is the HYSPLIT prediction for the coming days.
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 