UX-5 Balloon Launch Saturday, December 31:
The University of Tennessee Amateur Radio Club (UTARC) is planning to launch the UX-5 balloon on Saturday, Dec. 31. Approximate time for liftoff will be at 1830 UTC, or 1:30 PM Eastern Time
UTARC will attempt the official distance record for this launch with a CW beacon on HF relaying telemetry and location information as the balloon takes to the air.
The balloon for the launch is designed for distance and longevity, so the flight may last over 24 hours if winds and equipment are favorable.
On UTARC's previous balloon flight, UX-4 was carried aloft by a 200 gram latex weather balloon, and was in the air for an estimated 2 hours, although the transmitter continued to operate for over 36 hours. Predictions indicate it probably landed in Virginia. The transmitter was built by Carl Lyster (WA4ADG) and had a 0.8 watt output. Reception reports were received from as far away as British Columbia.
Recovery of the balloon is not anticipated at this time unless the balloon bursts early into the flight. Contact information will be on the balloon in case of a physical recovery.
The telemetry feedback will be in the following format:
Frequency: 14.325 MHz +/- 2kHz
Mode: CW
Sequence: AA4UT/B every 15 seconds; full telemetry every 4 minutes as follows:
HI HI AA4UT/B
ALT xxxxxM
LAT xx.xxxxx
N|S)
LON xxx.xxxxxW|E)
SATS xx
TEMP (P|N)xxxC
BATT xx.x VOLTS
SEQ xxxxx
PSE QSL WWW.UTARC.ORG
The University of Tennessee Amateur Radio Club (UTARC) is planning to launch the UX-5 balloon on Saturday, Dec. 31. Approximate time for liftoff will be at 1830 UTC, or 1:30 PM Eastern Time
UTARC will attempt the official distance record for this launch with a CW beacon on HF relaying telemetry and location information as the balloon takes to the air.
The balloon for the launch is designed for distance and longevity, so the flight may last over 24 hours if winds and equipment are favorable.
On UTARC's previous balloon flight, UX-4 was carried aloft by a 200 gram latex weather balloon, and was in the air for an estimated 2 hours, although the transmitter continued to operate for over 36 hours. Predictions indicate it probably landed in Virginia. The transmitter was built by Carl Lyster (WA4ADG) and had a 0.8 watt output. Reception reports were received from as far away as British Columbia.
Recovery of the balloon is not anticipated at this time unless the balloon bursts early into the flight. Contact information will be on the balloon in case of a physical recovery.
The telemetry feedback will be in the following format:
Frequency: 14.325 MHz +/- 2kHz
Mode: CW
Sequence: AA4UT/B every 15 seconds; full telemetry every 4 minutes as follows:
HI HI AA4UT/B
ALT xxxxxM
LAT xx.xxxxx
N|S)LON xxx.xxxxx
W|E)SATS xx
TEMP (P|N)xxxC
BATT xx.x VOLTS
SEQ xxxxx
PSE QSL WWW.UTARC.ORG
