BARF-1
(Blossomland Atmospheric Research Flight-1)
Launched
in memory of our friend, Larry, KE4PM (sk). He pushed us to launch
our first balloon; and he was the driving force behind BARF-1.
Larry was passionate about amateur radio, and always had fun.
IT'S A GO!!! SEE YOU ON SATURDAY
Launch Date: October 17, 2009
APRS--144.390 MHz
Voice Beacon (300mw) 146.565 MHz
Time: setup starts at 7:00 am launch approx 8:00 am
Launch Site: N8MS' farm at 7555 E. Main St, Eau Claire MI 49111
(the mailbox says "BRODY--7555", I will have 'BARA' signs out front too)
If you will approach from Berrien Springs...Dean's Hill / Hochberger is closed (same place it was for the last launch!) You will need to take Pokagon Rd as a detour around the closing. Click here for a map.
Stuff you might bring:
2m radio, portable APRS equipment, handheld radio, DF equipment, GPS, binoculars, map & compass, full tank of gas
BARF-1 photos
Amateur Radio High Altitude Ballooning
Flight Path Prediction Website
Track the W8MAI-11 balloon on-line
About an hour will be spent inflating the balloon and attaching all of the equipment. Shortly after the balloon is released everyone will jump in their cars and take chase. The balloon will transmit its current position via APRS, so if you are able to receive APRS in your car bring your equipment. Some ham operators will track the balloon from their homes and report the balloon's latitude and longitude, so if you bring your GPS you can know the balloon's position even without APRS. The balloon will also have a beacon transmitting on 2 meters, so bring your direction finding (DF) equipment too. Once the balloon is on the ground, the beacon is often the only way to locate it's final position. You don't need to have a radio or even be a ham to participate. Just show up and we will help you out! The balloon will rise to approx. 90,000 ft before it bursts and parachutes back to Earth. The total flight is about 2-3 hours and the balloon will travel 25-70 miles. If you want to track from home you can use this website.
Oct 16 (2:00pm): Weather prediction for tomorrow is partly cloudy; low of 31°/ high of 48°; and 20% chance of precipitation.
Here are some prediction for different burst altitudes. Once we see that it is coming down, we can better predict where to go...
90,000 ft
85,000 ft
80,000 ft
75,000 ft
65,000 ft
