Announcement of EOSS-72

 

LAUNCH DATE: October 18, 2003
LAUNCH TIME: 08:15 am local (14:15 UTC)
LAUNCH SITE: Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch (directions)

EOSS Frequencies:

This is a preliminary frequency roundup. Payloads may be dropped and others added. Check back the week of the launch to be sure you have the most up to date information.

  • Preflight Net:
    • 147.225 MHz 8 pm MDT preceding Friday night
      • 145.160 MHz simulcast in the Springs
    • 146.640 MHz will serve as a backup frequency
  • RMRL Crossband Repeater
    • Input 445.975 MHz
    • Output 147.555 MHz
    • APRS String on the output every minute
      • APRS ID: W�WYX
  • ATV
    • 426.250 MHz AM
  • Beacon
    • 144.340 MHz CW and Tracking tone
  • Tracking and Recovery Operations (pending approval)
    • 448.450 MHz 100 Hz tone (primary EOSS T&R Repeater) Pikes Peak FM Association
    • 146.550 MHz simplex (same simplex for field and launch ops)
  • HF Net during Flight
    • 7228 KHz (see notes about this freq)
    •  starting at 12:15 UTC (6:15am MST)

Flight Systems:

Balloon Manufacturer Kaysam
Balloon Type latex
Balloon Size 1200 gram
Payload 11 Lbs.
Free Lift % calculated at fill
Ascent Rate 1200 fpm estimated
Descent Rate  910 fpm estimated
Parachute 5 ft. diameter
Peak Altitude determined after flight
Launch Conditions determined at launch

See NOTES below regarding payload train configuration

Payload Configuration:

EOSS Grid:

Location Grid X Grid Y
Punkin Center 60 20
Arriba 83 50
Elbert 15 45.5
Hanover 19 1
Launch Point 16.5 41.5
Predicted Touchdown 51.8 23.1

 

Notes:

HF Radio

We try and start an HF net approximately 45 minutes prior to launch on 7.228 MHz. If that frequency is busy we try 7.235 or 7.240 MHz.

Sparky, KA�DPC or Bruce, NA�BR will be net control

Jamboree on the Air

Each year on the third weekend of October the Boy Scouts participate in amateur radio activities.

There is information on this activity at:

If you are involved with this activity take a look at the map below. It shows who may be able to participate in the EOSS aspect of JOTA.

Who Can Participate

Below is a map of the coverage of our radio systems at 95,000 feet above sea level. Areas shaded green should be able to use the radio systems with little difficulty. The red shading indicates where the signal is lost. You will note that the mountains in the western half of Colorado significantly impact the ability to hear the signal. Most of those red "dots" are locations in the shadow of near by mountains.


Map made with Radio Mobile Deluxe

Normally we welcome any and all to jump on the radio systems and use them to their heart's content.

This time out we would ask all folks to be mindful that this flight is in support of the Jamboree on the Air. Please allow them as much access to the airborne systems as possible.

Ways Scouts can Participate

Each capability listed below is contingent on whether or not we fly that payload. Final decisions on which systems will fly have not yet been made. Check back for information updates.

If we fly the cross band repeater you may be able to talk to scouts in other states.

If you have ATV and enough gain for your antenna systems you may be able to view LIVE TV being transmitted from the balloon showing the ground beneath the balloon. Sometimes the horizon appears and when it does you can clearly see the "black" sky of space above and the curvature of the Earth.

We always fly an APRS package. This system beacons out the current location of the balloon through out the flight. You can set up an APRS station next to your other stations and watch the balloon as it flies over the prairies of Colorado. You can also demonstrate just how far away the balloon is from your JOTA site and you can map the location of other stations you are communicating with (this by getting their location by voice and then manually plotting it on your computer systems).

Contact us about our capabilities and bring your scouts into the "near space" experience.