PS-55 PICO balloon HF JT9 WSPR

[VK3YT]

Hi all,

FYI,

PS-55 is in the air.

Solar powered party balloon, 25mW TX
TX WSPR, JT9 on 30m and 20m

Dial frequency 10.138700Mhz and 14.095600Mhz (standard WSPR dial frequencies) for WSPR, JT9.
JT9 is at 1000Hz

See HF decoding info at http://picospace.net/?cat=34

Tracking as PS-55 on SNUS http://picospace.net/tracker/new
WSPR call sign is VK3YT http://wsprnet.org/olddb?findcall=vk3yt

TX scheduling
Minute - Band - Mode - Condition
:00 - 30m - 2 mins WSPR then two x 1 min JT9 - mandatory
:10 - 20m - 2 mins WSPR then two x 1 min JT9 - if batt full
:20 - 30m - 2 mins WSPR then two x 1 min JT9 - if batt full
:30 - 20m - 2 mins WSPR then two x 1 min JT9 - mandatory
:40 - 30m - 2 mins WSPR then two x 1 min JT9 - if batt full
:50 - 20m - 2 mins WSPR then two x 1 min JT9 - if batt full

Assistance with tracking is appreciated.

Regards,
Andy
VK3YT

[VK2KRR]

Cool, Im assisting on the WSPR front, just using my 160m dipole. I'd usually be on 10m during the day, but its dead atm so thought I may as well see if I can hear the balloon.

I'd be interested to learn how your setting the WSPR to auto update the grid square from the GPS as I would love to set up a mobile RX station on 2m WSPR in the car.

[VK2PR]

What's the predicted path for this one, Andy?

[VK3YT]

Thanks guys,
The predicted path is

Andy

[VK4ALF]

Big Signals this afternoon on 30 m . Propagation has not done us any flavors tonight though
Well done Andy ..

[VK3YT]

Cool, Im assisting on the WSPR front, just using my 160m dipole. I'd usually be on 10m during the day, but its dead atm so thought I may as well see if I can hear the balloon.

I'd be interested to learn how your setting the WSPR to auto update the grid square from the GPS as I would love to set up a mobile RX station on 2m WSPR in the car.

Hi Leigh,

Most of the WSPR decoding softwares only take in static grid square.
The easiest way I can see is to use a Raspberry Pi to decode WSPR, and use a script to get the GPS coordinates and update the WSPR grid square.
Adrian VK4RV has a nice head-less Pi setup for both WSPR and JT9 decoding, and it will take minimal effort to update the grid square dynamically.

The Pi can also automatically change the frequency of the HF rig via CAT, move the rotator to point antenna, towards the balloon.

Let us know if you decide to go down the Pi path, the setup is easily re-usesable.

Andy

[VK4ALF]

Last spot i can see was at 2015-10-12 09:50 utc
The balloon was sitting at high 8900 m but the last spot was at 1792 m so i got a bad feeling that it may have gone for a swim
Looking at the weather map there are some stong winds in the pacific

[/URL]

[ZL1RS]

Yes Len, I saw the first JT9 transmission in a following time slot fizzle from a good signal to NIL part way through ... no doubt it drowned at that time.

PS-55 was located pretty much at the right hand edge of that weather map you posted, at about 20% up from the bottom ... right in that nasty patch of weather and a very strong NW wind.

73,

[VK1KW]

Hello Andy,
Wonder if you have had a look at what happens when one is deliberately dropped in the water.
Is the surface tension so great that it would never make it out again and is there anything that can be done to facilitate it getting back up.
Maybe polystyrene floaties stuck to the appropriate bits or a special coating on all surfaces? Hi!

[VK3YT]

Hello Andy,
Wonder if you have had a look at what happens when one is deliberately dropped in the water.
Is the surface tension so great that it would never make it out again and is there anything that can be done to facilitate it getting back up.
Maybe polystyrene floaties stuck to the appropriate bits or a special coating on all surfaces? Hi!

Hi Rob,

The lost lift because of accumulated water droplets is the killer, and it would be too hard to shake them of on a water landing.
Even if the balloon becomes air-borne again, it will just be bouncing on top of the water.

Regards,
Andy

[VK1KW]

I noticed on the TV the other day a new water repellent spray - I think this is the one?
http://www.businessinsider.com.au/this- ... een-2013-7

[VK1KW]

more
http://ultraeverdryonline.com.au/
this is awesome stuff