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News-Press Balloon Coverage
by Levi C. Maaia 17 Jul '11

17 Jul '11

Attached is the article from the SB News-Press covering the event. It is a scanned PDF file as the News-Press does not allow access to online articles for those of us who do not subscribe. Nice story with photos in the Sunday paper! LCM On Jul 17, 2011, at 10:00 PM, rod(a)sbatv.org wrote: > Hello Amateur Radio Balloon Friends, > > Here are a few notes about the flight, just in case you were wondering… > > Congratulations to the balloon team! > > Team members were… > · Santa Barbara Natural History Museum - Javier Rivera and Blanca Garcia > · Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club - Rod Fritz WB9KMO, Cyril Johnson AF6GW, Levi Maaia K6LCM, Mike Bales KI6VBK (SBHX) > · Consultants and Trackers - Bill Brown WB8ELK, Mark Caviezal NG0X and Jay Zatz WB6YQN > > Yesterday was a memorable day. We imagined a successful balloon flight and we made it happen! > > Saturday, July 16 was an ideal warm day on the beach in Santa Barbara (we get a lot of those, you know). The sun was out and there was a very slight breeze. A crowd had gathered as if a big party was at hand. Rod walked toward the crowd and said, “Hello everyone, why are we here?” The boisterous response was, “let’s launch a balloon!” So we did… > > (Refer to the attached Balloon Launch photos.) > > After assembling the payload and filling the balloon before about 50 excited onlookers, we launched the 6-pound near-space craft at 11:24am. It ascended straight up at about 900 feet per minute. Around 20,000 feet, it turned north, and reached speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour as it soared inland. At 60,000 feet, it shifted to the west, burst, and on its descent, shifted to the north again at about 60,000 feet. The maximum altitude, when the balloon burst over Fellows, CA, was over 93,000 feet! > > The balloon package free-fell with only a little drag from what was left of the balloon as it lost over 10 miles of altitude. The air was too thin to pop the parachute open. Finally, at around 20,000 feet (about 4 miles up), the chute opened an the descent slowed to around 1200 feet per minute. > > The balloon touched down around 2:00pm after 2 1/2 hours of flight. This is an Internet screen capture showing the last data that digital amateur radio repeaters received from the balloon’s WB9KMO APRS transmitter. The red dot is where Levi estimated the balloon might be found. Note the high-tension power lines at one of the largest power plants in California. At this point, we had some concerns, but we hoped for the best. > > <image001.jpg> > > After the launch and a little celebration and nourishment, the Chase Team started to drive toward the landing area near Taft, CA that we predicted at 8:00am. > > The Chase Team consisted of a car and a van with Santa Barbara Natural History Museum and Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club members, respectively. Both vehicles had Amateur Radio APRS tracking radios and we also relied on communication from other radio amateurs. We used cell phones and computers until they failed due to dead batteries and lost connections. Amateur radio saved the day. > > (Refer to the Chase Team photos – to be sent later.) > > We followed the balloon in our two vehicles, trying to get to it on the ground as soon as we could. The drive was beautiful and interesting, winding through the mountains north of Ventura and the arid oil fields and farm land near Maricopa and Taft. > > Cyril and Rod arrived at the power plant around 4:00pm and couldn’t see or hear any evidence of the balloon. Since the balloon was 2800 feet over the plant when it was received and the plant was at 300 feet elevation, with a descent rate of 1200 feet per minute and traveling at four miles per hour, it flew past the plant for about two minutes. Doing some quick calculations in our head, we started to drive to where we thought it would be. It wasn’t there though, more on that later… > > We enlarged our search. Just outside the plant, we heard the APRS transmitter on 144.39 MHz. Our receiver informed us that the balloon was about .5 miles northwest of our location. So we drove to Buttonwillow Park nearby, where our receiver indicated we were 0.0 miles away. > > We couldn’t see the balloon package from the van. On foot, we went to a higher place and Cyril yelled, “I found it!” In the middle of what appeared to be a desert, we had made a water landing. > > (Refer to the Recovery photos – to be sent later.) > > Cyril, with Rod Fritz cheering at his side, had discovered the balloon in an irrigation canal near Buttonwillow Park in Buttonwillow, CA. Where’s that? It’s in Kern County, about 20 miles west of Bakersfield and about 10 miles north of where we predicted at 8am that it would land. > > The other recovery car was close by and would have probably found the balloon in the next few minutes, too. We directed them to the landing site. > > Blanca, Rose and Rod looked on as Javier and Cyril pulled the package from the canal. There appeared to be almost no water damage, but the lens of the Canon camera got a little wet. Examining the contents, it was obvious that the package had a rough ride or at least a rough landing. Several of the items were quite warm and a few of the batteries had shifted. Everything is intact though, and ready to fly again sometime soon. > > Why was the balloon found to the northwest when it was flying southeast over the power plant. Bill put it this way… > > “I was hoping that it would land south of that last point where it was 2800 feet directly above the power plant and was predicting a southward drift...however I am quite surprised to see that it was recovered NW of that last position report...so perhaps the lower winds made a big shift or perhaps it actually landed in the canal to the south of the plant and floated to the point where you recovered it.” > > We’ll probably never know what really happened during those last few minutes. Pretty weird though. It defies common sense and the laws of physics. (There were reports of alien activities in the area though – not really, just kidding.) > > Well, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Others may have a different perspective and I’d love to hear what that is. > > Javier and Blanca will check out the cameras to see what we discovered about the trip and to see what near space is like. The electronics worked very well and we’re still tallying reception information from radio amateurs. Live reports from southern California were very encouraging. Rod will process video from the launch site and we’ll publish more interesting information and pictures later. > > If you have any reception reports, flight data or personal stories, please send them to me (rod(a)sbatv.org) as soon as possible. > > We’re planning to make an official press release tomorrow, Monday July 18. > > Thank you for sharing this exciting event with us. > > Rod Fritz, WB9KMO > SBARC OUTREACH Committee Chair > rod(a)sbatv.org > <WB9KMO Flight Path 20110716-1400.jpg><WB9KMO Balloon Recovery 20110716-1630 .jpg><WB9KMO Flight Prediction 20110716-0757.jpg><Tape that 20m antenna to the cord.png><Walking It to the Launch Point.png><OK Let 'Er Go.png><Onward and Upward.png><It's Off the Ground!.png><Lost It in the Sun.png><Up Close, Ready for the Sky.png>

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Ocean Tracking Coordinator needed for the Balloon Launch...
by rod＠sbatv.org 15 Jul '11

15 Jul '11

Hello, I hope by now you're well-informed about our Balloon Launch tomorrow. My leads have fizzled and I need your help to locate someone who knows about boating (doesn't need a boat), so they can help communicate with boaters if the balloon falls in the drink. They will need to be on-call between 9am and 2pm. The need for this person to really do anything is unlikely, but I need a contact person just in case. So. Do you know someone who knows someone who's a boater somewhere between Point Concepcion and Point Mugu? Please let me know if you do. Regards, Rod Fritz, WB9KMO Land-lubber Extraordinaire (I can swim, though)

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Natural History Museum/SBARC/SBHX High-Altitude Balloon - Press Release
by rod＠sbatv.org 15 Jul '11

15 Jul '11

Hello High-Altitude Balloon (HAB) Friends, The first page of the attached file was submitted as a press release to virtually all news agencies in the Santa Barbara area and we anticipate some good press as a result. Please keep your eyes and ears open for publicity and if possible, capture it electronically and send it to me so we can put it in our archives. I hope many of you can observe the launch and monitor the progress on amateur radio as we track and recover the payload. Send your signal reports to wb9kmo(a)sbarc.org. We hope to get reports from 450 miles away or more. The flight from Santa Barbara is expected to last about three hours. We currently anticipate a landing near Maricopa, California! We will use three balloon coordination frequencies that you can listen on. . 146.43 SIMPLEX (TRANSMIT IS ENCOURAGED) - This is the primary "simplex" channel for balloon communications. Between 7am and 3pm, all radio amateurs can LISTEN and TALK here, but try to keep communications brief and please give priority to BALLOON COMMUNICATORS, who you can recognize by their tactical call signs, like PAYLOAD, SCIENCE, SB TRACKING, VENTURA TRACKING, etc. We'd love to chat with you about the balloon event on this frequency. . 147.000 TALK (LISTEN MOSTLY, TALK BRIEFLY) - This is an alternate channel for the MONTECITO-SUMMERLAND RUN and HIGH-ALTITUDE BALLOON directed net from 7am to 3pm. You can LISTEN and TALK here as long as you are brief and give priority to net traffic. . 146.79 CALL (LISTEN ONLY) - This is a directed net from 7am to 3pm. It is the primary channel for the MONTECITO-SUMMERLAND RUN and HIGH-ALTITUDE BALLOON communications and must be strictly controlled to ensure that emergencies and other traffic are handled effectively. You can LISTEN, but DO NOT TRANSMIT on this repeater during the net unless you are an authorized EVENT or BALLOON COMMUNICATOR. Javier Rivera and the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum sparked the idea and sponsored this launch. I truly appreciate the help from Levi Maaia, K6LCM, who consulted on the balloon launch, composed the press release and submitted it to news agencies. Bill Brown, WB8ELK and many others are providing much-needed assistance. Thank you for your help to prepare us for a successful mission. Enjoy the day, Rod Fritz, WB9KMO SBARC OUTREACH Committee Chair BALLOON PAYLOAD Coordinator

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Balloon Flight Prediction - Saturday, July 16 at 10am
by rod＠sbatv.org 15 Jul '11

15 Jul '11

The attached picture shows where we predict the balloon will go. - Rod Fritz, WB9KMO

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Balloon Launch Site - Saturday, July 16 at 10am
by rod＠sbatv.org 15 Jul '11

15 Jul '11

The attached picture shows where we plan to launch the balloon.

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Morse Code
by Paul Cronshaw 14 Jul '11

14 Jul '11

A nice article about "the music of Morse": http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/14/us/14morse.html?_r=2&nl=todaysheadlines&e… 73s Paul Cronshaw KF6TRT

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Technical Elmering Net
by Michael＠NO6O.com 14 Jul '11

14 Jul '11

Come Join the Technical Elmering Net ------------------------------------ Thursday, 8:00pm until 9:00pm On the following repeaters: 146.79 MHz (La Vigia Hill) 223.92 MHz (Santa Cruz Island) 224.08 MHz (La Cumbre Peak) Minus offset, PL 131.8 Hosted by Dave Milton, K6HWN All Amateur Radio-related topics are welcome. Bring your questions, experiences, and/or expertise. ---Michael, NO6O

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Reminder: ARDF at Mt. Pinos this weekend
by Marvin Johnston 13 Jul '11

13 Jul '11

The two-day ARDF training camp at Mount Pinos, west of Frazier Park, will take place this Saturday and Sunday, July 16-17, as a mix-in with a meet of the Los Angeles Orienteering Club (LAOC). Remember that this is the weekend of the big closure of the 405 freeway, so plan your driving route carefully and allow extra time. A representative of Scarborough Orienteering Supply will be present, giving you an opportunity to purchase supplies such as e-sticks, orienteering clothes, and so forth. Host and course-setter is Marvin Johnston KE6HTS. There will be a full 2-meter course Saturday morning, a sprint course Saturday afternoon (where the goal is to catch each transmitter on its first cycle) and a Santa Barbara style tri-tip BBQ supper Saturday evening. Sunday morning's schedule has a full 80-meter course followed by transmitter pickup and departure. This two-day session is open to all radio-orienteers, but please understand that these are advanced courses. You must be capable of walking or running at high elevation for at least 5 kilometers. A ham radio license is not required. An excellent map by Los Angeles Orienteering Club will be provided each day. There will be a nominal charge of $5/day to cover the maps and e-punch. The cost for the optional barbecue will be about $8 per person. If you plan to attend, please send e-mail to Marvin to help him make plans and to insure that you'll be expected at start time. (marvin(a)west.net) He will reply to tell you the starting locations and times for each day. Mount Pinos terrain is mostly runable forest. The air is clear and there is no poison oak. There will be a 3-hour time limit for both the 2m and 80m courses. Scoring will be electronic. If you have an "e-stick," be sure to bring it. Please be on time for this event. The starts for all courses will only be open long enough to get everyone going (about 30 minutes). We will try to monitor 146.52 MHz simplex for incoming ham operators, but may not be able to hear you if you're not close by. Directions: Take the Frazier Park exit from Interstate 5 and go west on Frazier Mountain Park Road. Continue 8 miles, passing Frazier Park and Lockwood Valley Road (which is your last chance for supplies and water). Four miles beyond the Lockwood Valley turnoff, stay left at the fork onto Mt Pinos Road. (If you reach Pine Mountain Club, you went the wrong way, so turn around and go back to the fork.) Go another five climbing, winding miles to McGill Campground on your right or continue to the announced gathering point. Forest Service Adventure Passes are not required for this area, but there is a day-use fee for vehicle parking at McGill Campground. Overnight camping is available for $12 per campsite on a first-come-first-served basis at McGill Campground. The campgrounds are dry, so bring your own water. If you don't want to camp, you can stay at the Holiday Inn Express or the Motel 6 (formerly the BestRest Inn), both at the Frazier Park exit of I-5. There is also an Econolodge at the Gorman exit of I-5. Links to these motels are at www.homingin.com. 73, Joe Moell K0OV

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[Sbarc-list] We need an Astronaut! - Re: Balloon Launch on Saturday, 7/16 at 10am on West Beach in SB
by rod＠sbatv.org 13 Jul '11

13 Jul '11

Hello Balloon Friends, Contest: This "contest" is for anyone and everyone, regardless of affiliation... Objective: By noon Friday (7/15/11), provide a working model of a "robot" (that is preferably quite animated, but it's not an absolute requirement) that will either hang above the balloon payload on the 15' line to the parachute above, or preferably will "walk" up and down the line during the flight. Specifications: Wide open, but weight, agility and appearance are factors. Nothing over 8 oz will be considered and 4 oz or less is preferred. Size doesn't matter as long as the Flip Ultra HD camcorder on top of the box can see it. Other Considerations: The robot will be subject to -40 degree temperature, near vacuum to normal atmospheric pressure changes, possible loss and possible submersion in the ocean. In other words, it may not survive the trip. We will not be held liable for it's return. Prize: There is no prize other than a chance to get publicity for your robot and a possibility that I might buy you dinner after we recover the payload. Contact Info: For questions and submissions, contact me at wb9kmo(a)sbarc.org . Thank you and I hope we can have some fun with this, Rod Fritz, WB9KMO wb9kmo(a)sbarc.org

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SBARC Wednesday Nets
by Michael＠NO6O.com 13 Jul '11

13 Jul '11

SBARC Wednesday Nets -------------------- Beginning at 7:00 pm on the following linked repeaters: 146.79 MHz (La Vigia Hill) 223.92 MHz (Santa Cruz Island) 224.08 MHz (La Cumbre Peak) Minus offset, PL 131.8 ---------------------------------- 7:00pm - 7:30pm -- Amateur Radio Newsline (www.ARNewsLine.org) 7:30pm - 8:00pm -- Weekly Club Net 8:00pm - 8:30pm -- Swap Net, hosted by Dave Milton, K6HWN ---------------------------------- Then, at 8:30pm, on 144.210 MHz, is the VHF Single Side Band Roundtable, typically hosted by Ken Owen, N6KTH. This popular roundtable is now in its fourth year. Some People start checking in early between 8:00pm and 8:30pm. For details, visit www.n6kth.com/vhf. ---Michael, NO6O

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