- Details
- Written by: Blake Raab (N4BWR)
- Category: Balloons
Many of you know that I launch weather balloons with the West Georgia Amateur Radio Society. While they are fun, and a good learning experience (and even an emcomm training experience), they are expensive. I have already purchased the cameras and tracking equipment. The balloon and helium for each launch cost more than $100 each. You can help support us by purchasing a t-shirt (don't forget to customize it with your callsign!), or donating to our GoFundMe campaign. Thanks for your support!
| Balloon Launch & Recovery Team T-shirt | GoFundMe Campaign |
 |
 |
- Details
- Written by: Blake Raab (N4BWR)
- Category: Balloons
| Unnamed | 8-5-2017 | Carrollton, GA |
Lost in flight. Theory is that APRS antenna got disconnected. UPDATE: Found 2/11/2019 in Blacksville, 1.2 miles from my prediction pin on the map |
Predictions and potential search area here |
| Unnamed Pico Balloon | 2-16-2019 | Clinton Nature Preserve | Successful launch | Tracking shows it reached the ocean and then went silent as expected in darkness. Probably taken down by weather near Bermuda |
| Unnamed | 7-13-2019 | VFW Fairgrounds (Carrollton, GA) | Completely successful launch and recovery (albeit difficult) | VHF side of crossband repeater malfunctioned, but APRS tracking worked great, both built by WX4BK. Landing site. |
| Unnamed Weather Balloon | 9-14-2019 | VFW Fairgrounds (Carrollton, GA) | Successful launch and recovery | APRS performed perfectly. Crossband repeater may be desensing, and excessive heat may have affected sensors |
| Project Hindenburg | 8-8-2020 | VFW Fairgrounds (Carrollton, GA) | Successful launch and recovery | Crossband repeater and APRS unit may still be interacting with each other. Also, we were sent the wrong balloon size, which turned out to be good because it shortened the flight. I underinflated and it would have been very long. Also, first flight with hydrogen |
| Unnamed Weather Balloon | 7-10-2021 | VFW Fairgrounds (Carrollton, GA) | Successful launch and recovery |
We had some issues with a low ascent rate, weird issues with periodic altitude drops, and we lost the 2 meter antenna for the crossband repeater, but successful recovery. We flew ashes of our friend and dedicated club member Lonnie, WC4EE (SK). |
| Unnamed Weather Balloon | 8-6-2022 | VFW Fairgrounds (Carrollton, GA) | Successful launch and recovery |
APRS performed perfectly, and we had a full suite of telemetry data that performed perfectly. Easy recovery in a front yard in Anniston. Flight Path |