Hi!
Here is an announcement from Arizona Near Space Research (ANSR), about an upcoming balloon launch. Along with the various payloads on this flight, there will be a 2m/70cm cross-band repeater that functions very similar to those on FM satellites. Launch site has not been determined yet, but this group usually launches from sites in the southern part of metropolitan Phoenix or in central Arizona between Phoenix and Tucson.
The cross-band repeater, when in flight, can cover hundreds of miles/km. Stations in Arizona along with portions of neighboring states (Nevada, California, Utah, New Mexico) and some parts of northwest Mexico (northern Baja California, northern Sonora, northwestern Chihuahua) are workable. You may see coverage maps of a typical ANSR balloon flight at:
Unlike with the FM satellites, there is no Doppler effect to deal with on these balloon flights. This could be a good way to get ready for working FM satellites, or testing a station that has already been used to work those satellites.
Good luck and 73!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK - Phoenix AZ http://www.wd9ewk.net/
(ANSR-37 launch announcement follows)
Arizona Near Space Research (ANSR) is pleased to announce the flight of ANSR-37. This high altitude balloon flight will take place on Saturday, April 14th at 9:00 A.M. (1600 UTC).
The launch site is to be determined depending on the predicted winds aloft. Follow up announcements will designate and expand launch site information as the flight date nears.
The balloon will be a 3000-gram weather balloon, filled with helium. The expected burst altitude will be 90,000 feet or more. The flight is anticipated to last about 2.5 hours from launch to touchdown.
In addition to the ANSR standard payloads, this flight will feature four payloads designed and built by University from across Arizona. Participating schools include Northern Arizona University (NAU), Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), Arizona State University (ASU) and the University of Arizona (UA). This flight is the second ASCEND! flight of the school year and is sponsored by the Arizona Space Grant Consortium. ANSR thanks AZ Space Grant for another opportunity to fulfill our mission: Promoting Science and Education Through Amateur Radio and High Altitude Balloons.
The ANSR Cross-band repeater will be aboard this flight. Stations, especially those distant from the balloon, are invited to use the repeater when the repeater is not in use by the chase and recovery team. Feel free to use the Yahoogroups Ballooning site:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ballooning/
to coordinate dx schedules. Peak altitude should be about 10:30 to 10:50 A.M. MST (1730-1750 UTC).
The following is the payload frequency plan:
APRS Beacon
445.950 MHz packet at 5, 25, 35, 55 seconds UTC time via KD7LMO-11
Cross Band NB-FM Voice Repeater
Input: 145.560 MHz/162.2 Hz PL tone Output: 445.525 MHz Linked to IRLP Node 9255
APRS when repeater not in use on 445.950 MHz at 10, 20, 40, and 50 seconds UTC time via KD7LMO-11
Landing prediction after burst at 15 and 45 seconds UTC time via KD7LMO (no -SSID)
Pico Beacon APRS
445.950 MHz packet at 0, 30 seconds UTC time via KD7LMO-11
Our mobile cross band Digipeater will repeat the APRS data to the 144.390 MHz standard APRS frequency and thus will be I-GATED to the Internet for out of area trackers. You can track the flight using either of the following links:
http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/find.cgi?kd7lmo-11
http://map.aprsworld.net/kd7lmo-11
Be sure to check this site for updates to this announcement prior to the flight.
Jack Crabtree, W7JLC ANSR/AZ Space Grant Liaison