We have a new balloon we’re tracking, KD9UQB for our team member Jim Janiak. Jim designed this solar panel made with plastic film, shaped as a vertical cylinder to catch the sun’s lower elevation for the launch in Antarctica.
Pico Balloon KD9UQB was launched on November 23rd at 08:22 UTC from Neumayer Station III, Ekstroem Ice Shelf, Atka Bay, Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica
To make it easier to track Jim’s Pico Balloon, we’re tracking our 3 balloons on one page of the world using APRS.
AA6DY, K9YO and KD9UQB on the combined APRS link Tracking AA6DY, K9YO and KD9UQB (W5KUB-115) on APRS this link is on our Locate and Track page with our other tracking links.
Below is a slideshow with Jim Janiak, KD9UQB teaching our group how to make our solar panel packages. Jim is working on our winter solar panel design using the polycrystalline solar panels. We’re looking forward to our upcoming Pico Balloon launch for Gordie KD9TVR and Kelsi KE9LSI, our youngest Generals.
Jim KD9UQB, Gordie KD9TVR, Doug, KD9TPM, Kelsi KE9LSI, and Mikaela KD9VIW During our Build the Solar Panel Package 
Gordie KD9TVR and Doug KD9TPM working together 
Noah KD9RDT soldering his solar panel, Cary KD9ITO in the background 
Mikaela KD9VIW, testing the voltage assisted by Doug KD9TPM 
Gordie Mulley KD9TVR, showing off the built Solar Panel Package 
Testing 4.05 volts with a 7 solar panel package 
Kelsi Mulley KE9LSI, Doug Mulley KD9TPM and Gordie Mulley KD9TVR testing the voltage
Pico Balloon AA6DY hasn’t reported today. We’re expecting AA6DY to travel towards Central Africa over the next several days with data from our last NOAA Hysplit model.
Pico Balloon K9YO which was having some difficulty tracking, woke yesterday over Minnesota making the 3rd circumnavigation around the world. K9YO reported today at 13:00 UTC at Grid GN15MW just south of the St. Pierre and Miquelon Territory of France, which is south of Newfoundland. Pico Balloon K9YO reported at an altitude of 12,480 meters, 40,934 feet.
Our “Best Guess” For Pico Balloon K9YO around November 27th 2022, is Ukraine
Our Locate and Track page has been updated with our tracking links for NOAA, Ventusky, APRS and images. Added to our Technical Page is how to Calculate the Altitude of our balloons.
Northern Illinois Bottlecap Balloon Brigade 
Our Antarctic balloon build is a team effort. Michael, AA6DY (whose balloon is currently floating over the mid-Atlantic) designed the tracker and the coding that went on it. He also produced the tracker and code that Tom Medlin, N9KUB, is using on his N9KUB-114 Antarctic balloon.
Todd McKinney, KN4TPG a University of Alabama – Huntsville Grad. student launched the balloon as part of a special study program. Todd hand carried the balloons from Alabama to Germany, then to South Africa before making it to Neumayer Station III.
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