Overview of the Livonia Amateur Radio Club Balloon Launch Balloon Designator : K8UNS

Who?

Club: Livonia Amateur Radio Club Club Address: P.O. Box 51532, Livonia, Michigan 48151-5532 Club Email Address: k8uns@arrl.net Club Web Site: www.livoniaarc.com Balloon Project Web Site: k8uns.org/high-altitude-balloon-project/

When?

Morning of June 7th. Planning to launch between 9 and 10AM. If winds are an issue at arrival, we can notify all parties involved for a 1 hour postponement or cancellation.

What?

Payload Container Weight: 5lbs 4oz Dimensions: 14” x 10” x 10” Material: Rigid foam pink insulation wrapped with Ducting Foil Tape

Payload Contents Beacon 146.46MHz FM 110mW voice beacon Identification and where to find more information

ATV Transmitter 439.25MHz 1W Fast Scan television transmitter. Circular Horizontal Antenna suspended approximately 1 foot below payload box. Video overlay with current GPS Coordinates / Identifier / Speed and Direction

APRS Transmitter 144.39MHz Packet Transmitter GPS Positioning with internal / external temperature, battery voltage and identifier Current positioning via radio or via the web - http://aprs.fi/info/?call=K8UNS-11 Map View: http://aprs.fi/#!call=a%2FK8UNS-11

Why?

Because we are Amateur Radio Operators and we love science. The ability to track a balloon at 100,000 feet, take photos of the upper atmosphere has furthered interest in our hobby and our club. This project has inspired many smaller, similarly related projects by members of our club. We’ve had more participation and interest in this project, than most other projects we’ve run. Clubs around Michigan and Ohio have heard about this launch and are waiting for the launch.

We're interested in reception reports of our balloon. Send us a note a let us know if you heard our beacon or transmitters.

Delivery System

Balloon Kaymont 1200g Balloon Diameter at launch: 4.88 meters (16 feet) Ascent Rate: 5 meters (16.4 feet) / second Color: White Material: Latex Supplier: Kaymont Balloons, NY - http://kaymontballoons.com/

Parachute RocketMan 6.5 foot Diameter Cord 50lb breaking strength Nylon cord. The cordage is used to tether the balloon to the parachute, and from the parachute to the balloon. Three feet from payload to parachute and 5 feet from parachute to balloon.

Where? Because of the changes in winds, final launch location will be decided 12 hours prior to launch. Winds will be re-checked the morning of the launch, and a “Go Ahead” will be determined then. A final analysis of ground based wind-speed will be the final “Go/No Go” deciding factor upon arrival at the launch site.

Our prediction tool (http://predict.habhub.org)only goes 180 hours out from the present time, so you may have to adjust the dates in the predictions below.

Ionia Recreational Area (Launch Site #1) 42.9444N, 85.1335W 2880 West David Highway Ionia, MI 48846 http://predict.habhub.org/#!/uuid=2125a57170d3341a78d372d937b54bbe0bef89ec

Lake Hudson Recreation Area (Launch Site #2) 41.8405N, 84.2739W 5505 Morey Highway Clayton,MI 49235 http://predict.habhub.org/#!/uuid=db2dbf42d2c3cec4343bf6b1f124f58d372834f5

Alternates

Pinckney State Recreation Area 42.4126N, 84.0351W 8555 Silver Hill Road Brighton, MI 48116 http://predict.habhub.org/#!/uuid=e5368572c5de65c7b504b90d930c4bf837d1700e

Waterloo Recreation Area 42.3115N, 84.201W 16346 McClure Road Chelsea, MI 48118 http://predict.habhub.org/#!/uuid=00ae117b2d763cb92257b98f61961c4397daeb3d

73, K8UNS, Livonia Amateur Radio Club