BATS BALLOON FLIGHT 2003 - FAQ


How can I help?
	Chasers are always needed.  Stop in at Space Place at 8:00 am launch day for the Chaser's
	Meeting.  Camcorders at launch and recovery would be helpful.  Volunteers to help man
	the "Mission Control" at Space Place and explain whats going on to any visitors.

How can I watch the balloon flight video?
	When the 2.4 GHz FM ATV balloon video is recevied from the Relay SIte at WMTV, Madison
 	it will be retransmitted on 434 MHz and 421.25 AM VSB. This will allow anyone with AM ATV
	gear to watch.  A TV capable of CATV ch 57 and ch 59 and a vertical polarized UHF antenna
	may be all that is necessary depending your location. 

	Public demonstration of the received live video will also shown at Space Place, Madison
	and the Sauk Cunty EOC in the Baraboo Courthouse.

	SSTV still images will be transmitted on 147.315 Mhz YTARC repeater.

What will the balloon carry?
	The balloon will carry a parachute, radar reflector, and ham radio payload.  The payload
	will likely consist of:
		1 Video camera feeding a Wavecom Jr. TX on 2411 MHz giving live balloon video.  
		2 DTMF UHF controlled mirror motor to choose view direction.
		3 GPS/TNC APRS system on 144.39 MHz giving balloon locatin.
		4 UHF receiver feeding the Left Wavecom audio channel providing crossband repeat.

How do I chase the balloon?
	Attend the Chasers Meeting (8:00 am Space Place) for current information on the
	flight, frequencies, predicted path, etc.

What do I need to help chase?
	Anything you can think of. Binoculars, telescopes to get a visual. Maps, platbooks
	and GPS will be useful. 2m HT or mobile for communication and DFing the APRS. 
	Directional antennas will be useful but not necessary - just hearing/or not hearing
	the signal is enough.  Any 2.4 GHz gear that might detect the 2411 MHz ATV signal.
	An HF recevier that might detect the 28.322 MHz beacon.

How can I work through the balloon?
	The balloon will carry a UHF FM to 2.4 GHz crossband repeater.  Transmitting up on UHF
	will be come down on the 2.4 GHz ATV carrier and will be on the Left audio channel of
	the Wavecom Jrs.  This audio will also be relayed on the WJ9H-TV audio carrier at
	434 + 4.5 = 438.5 MHz in the Madison area and be repeated on the KB9SFS ATV repeater at
	421.25 + 4.5 = 425.75 MHz in the Baraboo area.  
  
How long will the flight last?
	Typically a flight lasts 2.5 hours - 1.5 hours up and 1 hour down.

How can I decode the APRS packet string on 144.39 MHz?
	The packet string will look like:
		KB9SFS*>RELAY>WIDE>APT310:
		/012141h4328.46N/08945.63WO000/000/A=000751/KB9SFS - BATS BALLOON

	012141h - Time -01:21:14 GMT
	4328.46N - Latitude - 43 degrees 28.46 minutes North
	08945.63W - Longitude - 89 degrees 45.63 minutes West
	000751 - Altitude - 751 feet above sea level

Where do I send DX reports?
	Not sure yet - stay tuned.

What am I looking for if I chase?
	The payload is not built yet - but will be suspended from a parachute - likely
	to be lotsa foam and space blanket.

How high will the balloon go?
	About 90,000 feet - 18 miles up into near space.  This is high enough we should
	see the blackness of space and the curvature of the Earth.

How big will the balloon get when it bursts?
	The weather balloon will start out about six feet in diameter when released on the
	ground.  As it rises, it grows larger due to the decreased air pressure.  Eventually
	the balloon bursts at about 30 feet in diameter.  We hope to point the camera up and 
	catch the burst.