We met this morning to launch two balloons, transmitting the call signs KD9UQB and AA6DY. We met at the highest mountain in the area – the Willow Hill Golf Course in Northbrook, IL. Assisting in our launch today were Michael Seedman AA6DY, Jim Janiak KD9UQB, Stewart Spies KB9LM, Doug Mulley KD9TPM, Kelsi Mulley KE9LSI, Gordie Mulley KD9TVR, Noah Berg KD9RDT, Bob Berg KD9RDU and Cary Willis KD9ITO.
We’re flying our latest board design version 2.2, manufactured in China by a contract manufacturer. After multiple attempts we’re successfuly flying a clear Yokohama Balloon reaching an altitude of 46,000 feet.
We had mild winds at ground level and gusty above. For this launch, we used the Icarus Device and 30 foot pole to get our tracker away from the ground at launch. The idea for the Icarus Device came from Noah Berg, KD9RDT (then 13 years old) at a group presentation in October of 2021. Noah suggested using a device to assist the balloons lift after losing some of our balloons in nearby trees. After months of discussing how something like this could work, Michael Seedman, AA6DY designed the Icarus using a small arduino based computer and a pico servo. Jim Janiak designed the 3D printed holder to couple the icarus to the pole. Since getting a 30′ pole in the car is a bit troublesome, Doug Mulley KD9TPM suggested using a telescoping pole which extends from 7 feet to 30 feet making it easy to transport and deploy.
Preparing KD9UQB for Launch
Jim Janiak KD9UQB and Michael Seedman AA6DY preparing the tracker for launch 
KD9UQB Tracker package Tracker and Antenna tested on August 31st 
KD9UQB Package is held up by 4 monofilament wires on the corners, attached to one in the middle to the balloon, the top antenna is secured to the wire to the balloon, the 16.5 foot bottom antenna makes this a complete Dipole Antenna 
Michael is attaching the Balloon to the Icarus Device From Left to Right, Doug KD9TPM, Gordie KD9TVR, Michael AA6DY and Stewart KB9LM. Michael is attaching the balloon to the Icarus Device. 
Kelsi KE9LSI securing the 30 ft pole ready for lift 
Gordie KD9TVR is pressing the Icarus Device to start the 10 second timer, and Stewart KB9LM is holding the balloon 
The Balloon is sitting on top of a 30 foot pole, counting down to 10 seconds for release 
The Balloon and tracker has been released from the pole and floating freely 
Nice and steady launch 
Floating Steady
Preparing AA6DY for Launch
Michael preparing the AA6DY Board 
Michael holding the package by the harness 
Michael AA6DY is shorting the solar panel for a hard reset of the tracker 
Doug, Michael, Gordie and Stewart preparing the Icarus Device and Pole 
Doug, and Gordie on the Pole, Bob Berg KD9RDU and Noah Berg KD9RDT in the background 
Kelsi KE9LSI securing the pole Nice and steady launch The Balloon and tracker has been released from the pole and floating freely
While we’re still waiting for KD9UQB to report, we’re very happy that our Yokohama balloon has reached 46,000 feet. We appear to be in a slow moving air mass over Michigan traveling around 35 mph.
Now that we know our altitude is steady at 14Km we can now provide a NOAA Hysplit Trajectory. We’ll be updating this while we’re watching Tropical Storm soon to be Hurricane Danielle.
Northern Illinois Bottlecap Balloon Brigade 