ARLA/CLUSTER: Radio-Balão lançado da Austrália a 27 de Dezembro ainda continua a voar

[João Costa > CT1FBF]

Latest VK pico balloon travels east

The solar power HF pico balloon set off from Melbourne at 7am on
December the 27th and has been tracked to New Zealand and beyond.

The helium filled party-type balloon was launched in Melbourne by Andy
VK3YT carrying a QRP transmitter on WSPR, JT9, with telemetry and
tracking.

Recent reports had it travelling east for several days, and arriving
and leaving the southern end of New Zealand on New Year's Eve, and
into the Pacific.

It was last tracked by Bob Sutton ZL1RS at the international dateline,
an altitude of 10,255 metres and travelling 50 kilometres per hour.

Andy VK3YT says that due to propagation conditions, JT9 and WSPR
reception from the balloon has been very localised to ZL and VK
stations.

If the balloon follows the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration forecast it could travel further, reaching South
America and beyond.

Jim Linton VK3PC