[OZAPRS] Fwd: LOKI-1 Balloon

[Richard Murnane]

Latest update from John VK2YGV.

73 Richard VK2SKY


Begin forwarded message:

> From: John Press <vk2ygv at gmail.com>
> Date: 17 February 2011 10:03:23 PM
> To: undisclosed-recipients:;
> Subject: LOKI-1 Balloon
>
> The Tamworth Radio Club sponsored the successful launch of 4 large  
> party balloons from the Tamworth Oxley Scout Hall with a bunch of  
> scouts eagerly involved. The large party balloons are by comparison  
> small compared to the balloon being used for LOKI-1. 2 of the  
> balloons were tied together to carry a payload consisting of a small  
> 10mW transmitter weighing just 5.2g with battery. With some trickery  
> temperature data was superimposed on the transmitted signal. The  
> other 2 balloons were released separately with several metres of  
> light weight toilet paper streaming below. The scouts learned how to  
> move the balloons about with the breeze that was blowing to stop the  
> streamers and balloon getting tangled in the      trees, flag pole  
> and scout hall.
> The miniature electronics package was assembled by Ash, VK2XSO and  
> worked a treat. Unfortunately contact was lost with the balloon a  
> couple of hours after launch. The balloons flight was used to test  
> and practice launch skills and to check the potential range of very  
> low powered very light weight transmitters.
> The software for the APRS system was test flown to 7,500ft above  
> Scone on Wednesday. This test was used to check the flow of  
> transmitted data onto the internet via several ground stations that  
> were in range of the transmitter and revealed an error in some of  
> the selected parameters. These will be corrected, fine tuned and  
> checked for future use.
> This weekend Tamworth Oxley Scouts are attending a 2 day scout camp  
> called Founders Day at Keepit Dam (between Tamworth and Gunnedah)  
> and more experimenting with balloon launches are planned, weather  
> permitting. To continue along the theme of aerospace travel some of  
> the scouts will have the opportunity to visit the local gliding club  
> that operates out of the Lake Keepit park land.
> Preliminary plans are being made for a launch of LOKI-1 March 5th.
> More information can be found at www.trci.org.au and follow the  
> links to projects then LOKI.
> Submitted by Cris VK2BOZ Publicity officer & John VK2YGV Project  
> Director, Tamworth Radio Club Inc.

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