ARLA/CLUSTER: Pequenos Radio-balões batem recorde de voo

[João Costa > CT1FBF]

 B-11 and B-12 Pico balloons break world duration record

The solar powered pico balloons *B-11* and *B-12* were launched by *Leo
Bodnar* from Silverstone, UK on September 1 and 2 respectively

As of 1238 UT on Monday, September 9 both balloons were still in the air
transmitting the amateur radio DominoEX16 data mode on 434.500 MHz USB.

During their record-breaking duration flights, the two balloons have
between them flown over most countries in Europe and are now out of the
range of tracking stations. B-11 was last reported over Turkey and B-12
over Ukraine. Both balloons are fitted with solar panels which recharge the
on-board Lipo battery. B-12 has suffered a battery failure so only
transmits when in sunlight.
   Tracks of the pico balloons B-11 and B-12 in red and blue respectively
as at Sept. 9, 2013 12:38 UT

   B-12 Pico balloon with the tiny lightweight 434 MHz payload –
Image credit Leo Bodnar

Pico balloons are proving increasing popular with amateurs. The small foil
party balloons can only carry ultra light balloon payloads, typically
weighing less than 100 grams.

This presents a challenge to the builders to produce a transmitter, GPS,
batteries and antenna that are small and light enough to be carried.

Balloons such as these do not go to extremes of altitude but instead float
at between 2,500 and 8,000 metres for an extended period. The 434 MHz
transmitters can have a radio range of up
to 400 km.

Information on the two balloons is at
http://www.leobodnar.com/balloons/B-11/index.html
http://www.leobodnar.com/balloons/B-12/index.html

Tracks of B-11 and B-12
http://spacenear.us/tracker/?filter=B-11;B-12

Real-time balloon tracking
http://spacenear.us/tracker/

Beginners Guide to Tracking using dl-fldigi
http://ukhas.org.uk/guides:tracking_guide

To get details of upcoming UK balloon launches subscribe to the UKHAS
Mailing List <https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#%21forum/ukhas>by
sending a blank email to this address:
ukhas+subscribe  googlegroups.com
-------------- próxima parte ----------
Um anexo em HTML foi limpo...
URL: http://radio-amador.net/pipermail/cluster/attachments/20130910/e860378f/attachment.html