October 24th, 2008 - Predicting and Tracking Balloon Flights
Notes Posted By Sheila Clarke on November 17th, 2008
The Vienna Wireless Society
Friday, October 24, 2008
At 7:36 pm a loud whistle was heard coming from our Veep, Dennis WA4QMS as he called the meeting to order on “Healthy Lung Day.”
ATTENDANCE: 42
NEW VISITORS: None
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Pete KG4OJT, our Treasurer, announced:
(a) The proposed 2009 budget will be discussed and voted on at our next meeting on November 14th.
(b) Recent expenses the club has incurred are two cameras for our upcoming VWS-7 Balloon Launch. And, refreshments that were provided at our President’s Picnic.
(c) The Vienna Halloween Parade is on October 29. VWS helps by offering communication support along the route and at various other parade points. We also help to shepherd 700 to 800 costumed kids. Volunteers are needed with HTs and headsets to work from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. If you are interested, contact Pete.
(d) On January 17-18 we will once again be having our NAQP SSB event out at Middleburg, VA at the Camp Highroad Oak Lodge. We will run two stations from 2:00pm till 2:00 am. There are rooms to stay in if you don’t want to drive home. We will also be having Jane Nelson from Starlite Catering provide us with meals.
2. John AF4PD, reported that both repeaters are now working OK. The bad connector on the transmitter side had caused broadband noise in receiving, but it’s all fixed. However, our 440 machine is only working 50 % of the time.
3. Net Reports were as follows:
(a) Pete KG4OJT gave information on the Monday Net.
(b) Kerry WA4BQM gave information on Tuesday’s Digital Net.
(c) Gary KI4EKM reported on our Thursday 10 Meter Net.
(c) Dave K2VX reported on his CW morning net.
Note: Details about all our nets are provided on our Website or in the VWS reflector.
Dennis WA4QMS also explained that our “reflectors” are email notices pertaining to various topics that you sign up for; and, the VWS reflector is the general email club information mailing.
4. Pete KG4OJT reported that there was a Balloon Meeting on 10-17-08 at Tom N4ZPT’s home to hear update status reports from the various team participants.
On November 1, there will also be a workshop at Kerry’s WA4BQM home.
Our balloon launch is set for November 15 (Saturday) or if weather is bad, then on November 16 (Sunday). Or, Saturday, December 6. Plans are to launch from the Strasburg area. However, if it’s too windy, there could be last minute changes.
The balloon APRS frequency is 144.39 or can be tracked on the Internet at various URLs.
Sign up on our Balloon Reflector to keep updated on this activity.
5. Mike AE4R once again reminded everyone of his Home Brew building challenge, in which the transmitters are to be judged the first week in July. He said that you could build any kind of CW transmitter that works on the frequency that you are licensed to operate on. If you are interested, see Mike for more information.
6. Dennis WA4QMS, our Winterfest Czar reported that we now have 12 tables sold so far. And, said that on Monday the “Save The Date” letters went out. He also repeated that he still needs help to get the word out to magazines, etc. And, that possibly we could find vendors via the Yellow Pages? He still needs someone to help with Table Sales this year also. Then he reminded the club that Winterfest is our largest money-making event for our club and helps support activities for the rest of the year.
7. Tom N4ZPT announced that it’s too late to sign up to volunteer for the Marine Corps Marathon, because it’s this Sunday October 26.
He then said that he got a note from his friend Ian, a Ham in Jamaica on a D700, that he had a QSO contact with Richard Garriott on the International Space Station recently.
8. Sheila, KI4WKY, our Secretary announced:
(a) The winner of our 50-50, also will win the Halloween centerpiece that she brought.
(b) That we now have over 60 members signed up on the Birthday list. If there’s any member who hasn’t given her his/her birthday, they can still do so for the 2009-year. All she needs is the month and day. (Not the year!) The club then sends you a card when your birthday comes around.
(c) She asked Kerry WA4BQM the status of the “Leading Edge” publication. Kerry said that it’s in production, but probably won’t be available until next year.
9. Tim KI4PVF announced that former speaker at one of our club meetings, Julie Zoller KJ4FMJ, is now a licensed Ham. Everyone applauded and congratulated her.
PRESENTATION:
Dr. Kerry Kingham WA4BQM and Tom Azlin N4ZPT did a presentation on “Predicting and Tracking Balloon Flights” via the APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) as a way to help club members know how to follow the balloon that we will be launching on November 15 or 16 (Dec. 6 backup date). They encouraged all members to participate either by following the balloon on the Internet or tracking it using a 2-meter radio at 144.39 frequency; and, then having members send the recovery team information.
The Chase & Recovery Teams consist of a pair of people (Driver + APRS tracker) in vehicles trying to follow the balloon the best way possible. Sometimes that gets tricky. If you want to help in the recovery, contact Tom N4ZPT.
They also showed graphics from our VWS-6 Balloon Launch to give members a visual idea of what tracking the balloon on the Internet is like. And, they passed around a sheet with useful URLs for balloon tracking and information.
REFRESHMENTS:
Ann Wimmers W4JDF and Bernie Wimmers N4JDF provided us with refreshments and snacks.
Brian WV4V will provide them for our November 14th meeting.
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