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Loudoun Amateur Radio Group |
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1999 saw LARG's first High Altitude Balloon Flight
with a simple 2 meter beacon being sent aloft and tracked throughout the flight. The past year has been spent practicing radio location (foxhunting)
and in developing the next set of payloads. |
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This years first planned flight will again test
our ability to track and recovery the payload as well as test the use of
a streamer to prevent the payload from spinning. Barometric pressure, power supply voltage and information on variations in
sunlight intensity will be downlinked via 1200 Baud Ascii serial data which
can be demodulated with common data controllers
like the PK-232. See 1200
Baud Telemetry Link Budget Analysis. Periodic Modulated CW Broadcasts will also send the barometric pressure and
battery voltage in Morse Code so that the chase teams can monitor essential
payload state of health information. |
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Some evolution in the payload design has taken place
and has led to the present block diagram shown below. | |
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| One design approach for the transmitter is a modified Motorola HT200 FM transmitter with approximately 100 milliwatts output in the 2 Meter band. Total weight of the Tuna TXer -1 Transmitter in the can is 102 gm. The can is used to prevent radiation from the transmitter from interfering with the controller and on board sensors. A coaxial cable will conduct the RF energy to the antenna that hangs about 3 feet below the payload. | |
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The Tuna TXer - 1 |
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The following flight will include a still camera, which is why we are experimenting with reducing the spin on the present payload. Future Payloads will include live video downlinks. If you would like to participate in this project contact one of the team leaders below Tom Dawson WB3AKD Balloon Committee Chair and technical lead Dennis Boehler, KF4TJI, Radio Direction Finding/Tracking Lead Gary Quinn, NC4S, Recovery Lead
Norm Styer, AI2C, Launch Team Lead
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| This Page By Tom - WB3AKD Back To K4LRG's Main Page | |
