- SondeHub Balloon Tracker Amateur Radio Pico Balloons flying around the world
- KD9TVR-21 on Sondehub Click on the Float link for projected path based on NOAA Hysplit altitude
- KD9TVR-21 on WSPR TV with all data
- KD9TVR-21 on Balloons.Browxy
- KD9TVR-21 APRS.fi Balloon location on world map showing balloon altitude
- KD9TVR on WSPR Spot Database last 1,000 stations reporting showing stations reporting our location and how far away from our balloon
- National Hurricane Center – weather systems that may affect our balloons
Pico Balloon KD9TVR-21 launched form Libertyville, Illinois on April 11th 2026 at 15:00 UTC. Gordie Mulley, KD9TVR is a Freshman at Warren Township High School in Gurnee, Illinois
Click on the links above to follow the flight of KD9TVR
Current Location Grid FL59XA North Atlantic Ocean at 11,880 meters or 38,976 feet, last reporting on April 12th 2026 at 19:00 UTC
Below are the slideshows of our gathering and preparation for the balloon flight. In attendance for this launch; Ken Daniel K9YO, Jim Janiak NE9JJ, David Madison KE9DAB, Laura Petelle N9ADI, Doug Mulley KD9TPM, Cary Willis KD9ITO, Steve Haubrich W9CRB and Geoff Nagy
This page will be updated daily while the balloon is reporting
Pico Balloon KD9TVR-21 is a Traquito Tracker Traquito Tracker and a 32″ diameter Silver Orbs balloon from Balloons Online
This is our first launch using the NE9JJ Balloon Release Device (pictured below) To help with the balloon launches in windier conditions, Jim Janiak NE9JJ created a device attached to a 24 foot pole and the bottom of the balloon. We can then lift the package and wait for the winds to calm down and then with a wireless remote, release the balloon.
Also new to this flight was the tracker package. Ken prepared the tracker with a Styrofoam plate, Polycrystalline solar cells and a Mylar shell surrounding the plate. Normally the Tracker is on top of the solar panel package. This Tracker was attached below the plate. In this launch experiment, two additional sensors were attached to the tracker for temperature and pressure readings which were shielded from above. Will we be able to receive all the data with a hidden tracker? At the top of this page are all the links for tracking this balloon including this link KD9TVR WSPR.TV which you will see all the data we are collecting during the flight.
Next we prepared for the launch
Jim NE9JJ and his Balloon Release Device (name pending) 
closeup of the NE9JJ Balloon Release Device 
Ken, K9YO holding the balloon, David KE9DAB holding the lower antenna 
Preparing the Balloon Launch System 
Ken securing the release system to the balloon 
Jim holding the wireless release remote, Doug holding the Tracker and David holding the antenna
Final preparations for the launch
The Flight of Pico Balloon KD9TVR-21
Flight Report March 19th 2026 of Pico Balloon KE9LSI by Ken Daniel, K9YO
Pico Balloon K9YO-22 was launched from Libertyville, Illinois on October 3rd 2025 at 15:00 UTC. First reporting on October 4th 2025 near Nashville, Tennessee at 13:32 UTC flying 12,180 meters altitude, 39,960 feet. The tracker, solar panel package came in a little heavy at 18 grams. We’re getting a good altitude for the weight of the package. Please scroll down to view pictures from our launch on October 3rd 2025.
Pico Balloon K9YO-22 makes the 1st circumnavigation on October 18th 2025 at 13:52 UTC near Selma, Alabama; 14 days and 22 hours of flight
Pico Balloon K9YO-22 makes the 2nd circumnavigation on November 3rd 2025 at 14:42 UTC near Nashville, Tennessee; 30 days days and 23 hours of flight
After missing for 11 days, Pico Balloon K9YO-22 returns and makes the 3rd circumnavigation on November 23rd 2025 at 16:42 UTC near Panama; 51 days days of flight
Pico Balloon K9YO-22 reporting November 23rd 2025 at 16:42 UTC, Panama, Central America 51 days of flight at 42,650 feet, 13,000 meters altitude
From the location and altitude report from NOAA we have the projected trajectory over the next 84 hours
Below are some pictures of our group gathering to launch our balloon on October 3rd 2025
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Pico Balloon K9YO-21 was launched on September 15th 2025 from Lake County, Illinois. Ken Daniel did a solo launch using a traquito tracker with our software. The tracker is attached below using 6 polycystalline solar cells on a cutout of a styrofoam plate.
From Greenville, North Carolina on September 17th 2025 with the NOAA Hysplit showing the direction over 84 hours below
Below is the current location of K9YO-21 on September 17th 2025, 1 day and 17 hours of flight at 43,077 feet altitude. Approaching the Atlantic Ocean from North Carolina
Pico Balloon KD9ITO launched on February 21st 2025 from Willow Hill Gold Course in Northbrook, Illinois.
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First circumnavigation of Pico Balloon KD9ITO after 15 days of flight on March 8th, 2025
Second circumnavigation of Pico Balloon KD9ITO after 31 days of flight on March 25th, 2025
Third circumnavigation of Pico Balloon KD9ITO after 55 days of flight on April 17th, 2025
Pico Balloon KD9ITO. Last reported at Grid FP10gh, Nunavut, Canada on April 18th 2025 at 18:52 UTC for
Below is the expected NOAA Trajectory from April 18th, 2025 thru April 22nd, 2025 from Nunavut, Canada to southeast of St. Pierre and Miquelon, Atlantic Ocean
Pico Balloon KE9LSI was launched on April 12th 2025 from Willow Hill Golf Course in Northbrook, Illinois. Assisting with the launch; Michael Seedman AA6DY, Jim Janiak NE9JJ, Ken Daniel K9YO, Stewart Spies KB9LM and Cary Willis KD9ITO.
Tying the Balloon Michael Seedman AA6DY with Jim Janiak NE9JJ 
Stewart Spies KB9LM holding the balloon, Michael Seedman AA6DY unwinding the antenna 
Michael unwinding the antenna, Ken Daniel K9YO in the background 
Michael holding the tracker preparing for release 
Stewart KB9LM preparing to release the balloon 
The launch of Pico Balloon KE9LSI
Pico Balloon KE9LSI launched on April 12th 2025, now at Grid EM68 at 20:52 UTC
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We launched two balloons on Saturday August 31st 2024 for Gordie and Kelsi Mulley. Both of these were launched from Willow Hill Golf Course in Northbrook, Illinois.
Our 37th launch was for Kelsi Mulley, KE9LSI launched August 31st 2024 at 17:30 UTC. Kelsi is 17 years old, and a Senior in High School.
Our 38th launch was for Gordie Mulley, KD9TVR launched August 31st 2024 at 18:00 UTC. Gordie is 13 years old, in 8th grade
Kelsi and Gordie along with their Dad, Doug KD9TPM have been members of the NIBBB since our early years in 2021. Kelsi and Gordie upgraded their license to General in July of 2022 and we’re very excited to have the perfect day for their joint balloon launch.
Some pictures from this morning’s launch
Tracking information for these balloons are at the top of this page
Pico Balloon KD9WVO-11 is now declared Missing in Action, last report on August 23rd 2024 having flown 131 days and 10 hours and 7 times around the world.
Our 34th launch for Pico Balloon KD9WVO and 35th launch for Pico Balloon KD9WNU were on April 13th 2024 at 10:43 am and 11:00 am CDT from the Willow Hill Golf Course in Northbrook, Illinois.
Janet, KD9WVO and her son Calvin KD9WNU have been team members of the NIBBB since February of 2023.
Cal, a 7th grader, is a member of the Central School Ham Club in Glencoe, Illinois and an Amateur Extra, his mom Janet, is a General.
The slideshow for this launch is on our Home Page https://nibbb.org/
Pico Balloon KD9WVO-11, makes 1st circumnavigation in 15 days and 2 hours, April 28th, 2024
Pico Balloon KD9WVO-11, makes 2nd circumnavigation in 32 days and 21 hours, May 16th, 2024
Pico Balloon KD9WVO-11, makes 3d circumnavigation in 48 days and 20 hours, June 1st, 2024
Pico Balloon KD9WVO-11, makes 4th circumnavigation in 63 days, June 15th, 2024
Pico Balloon KD9WVO-11, makes 5th circumnavigation in 96 days and 22 hours, July 19th, 2024
Pico Balloon KD9WVO-11, makes 6th circumnavigation in 106 days and 18 hours, July 29th, 2024
Pico Balloon KD9WVO-11, makes 7th circumnavigation in 114 days and 19 hours, August 6th, 2024
August 6th 2024, 7th circumnavigation
July 19th 2024, 5th Circumnavigation (below)
Pico Balloon KD9WVO-11, 2nd trip towards the North Pole July 8th 2024, 86 days of flight
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Pico Balloon KD9WNU last report April 21st 2024 at Grid KN29lv, 13:24 UTC is still reporting from the last known Grid Square, with the 2nd packet only 260 meters altitude above sea level 852 feet. As long as this Pico Tracker is transmitting, we will be reporting it here.
Pico Balloon KD9WNU, last know location was Grid KN29lv, April 20th 2024, at 14:32 UTC, near Lviv, Ukraine for 6 days and 22 hours at and altitude of 11,760 meters, 38,582 feet with a valved Yokohama balloon stretched to 100 inches. Pico Balloon KD9WNU is presumed Missing in Action
Pico Balloon KD9WNU-11 Hysplit for 84 hours April 20th 2024 thru April 24th 2024, near Qiqihar, North Korea
Pico Balloon NE9JJ-2 last report April 16th 2024 at Grid GL02, 18:32 UTC is presumed Missing in Action.
Pico Balloon NE9JJ-2 was launched on March 2nd 2024 from Grayslake, IL. This launch was conducted in partnership with Todd McKinney, KN4TPG with the University of Alabama in Huntsville. The tracker designed by Ken Daniel, K9YO, 3 panel 12 cell solar package designed by Jim Janiak, NE9JJ and weather sensor by Todd McKinney, KN4TPG makes our complete package.
Pico Balloon NE9JJ-2 makes first circumnavigation in 10 days and 19 hours, March 13th 2024
Pico Balloon NE9JJ-2 makes second circumnavigation in 20 days and 18 hours, March 23rd 2024
Pico Balloon NE9JJ-2 makes third circumnavigation in 31 days, April 3rd 2024
Pico Balloon NE9JJ-2 makes fourth circumnavigation in 43 days and 17 hours, April 15th 2024
Pico Balloon NE9JJ-2 reporting on April 16th 2024, Grid FL91np, North Atlantic Ocean , 17:32 UTC, altitude 12,850 meters, 42,158 feet. Flight 44 days, 19 hours, 4th circumnavigation around the world.
Below Projected NOAA Hysplit Trajectory for Pico Balloon NE9JJ-2, from April 16th, 2024 thru April 20th, 2024 heading towards Libya, North Africa.
As our tracker transmits, amateur radio stations on the ground receive and report our callsign, altitude and location in 2 transmissions, 2 minutes apart, the 3rd transmission sends temperature, humidity and pressure at altitide.
Below is a 3 panel, 12 cell solar panel designed by Jim Janiak, NE9JJ. The panel is designed that 2 of the 3 panels of 8 cells will be powered by the sun at any time. On top a tracker designed and built by Ken Daniel with an added Supervisor chip. On the top and off the side is a Weather Sensor developed By Todd McKinney, KN4TPG from the University of Alabama.
Slideshow on the tracker, solar panel, weather sensor and the release of Pico Balloon NE9JJ-2 is below
Solar Panel designed by Jim Janiak, NE9JJ; 3 panels of 4 polycystalline cells each. Any 2 panels operating at one time. 
Tracker by Ken Daniel K9YO, Supervisory chip addition by Michael Seedman AA6DY 
Weather Sensor by Todd McKinney KN4TPG to receive temperature, humidity and pressure at altitude 
Pico Balloon package wating for launch 
Ken Daneil K9YO assisted by Jim Janiak NE9JJ watching from behind Leeloo Knowles, Janet Knowles, KD9WVO, Cal Knowles KD9WNU 
Cal KD9WNU holding the balloon with his sister Leeloo 
Ken and Jim preparing the tracker and antennas for launch 
Ken launching the balloon 
The Balloon is launched 
It’s there near the clouds
Ken Daniel K9YO releasing the Pico Balloon NE9JJ-2
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You can track Perry’s balloon in our Locate and Track links above.
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Ken Daniel launched his Pico Balloon K9YO-1 on February 4th 2024. This is Ken’s newest tracker which has been designed to receive and send additional data such as temperature, humidity and pressure at altitude. While more testing is needed for these additional features, for this flight Ken is testing something new. Ken’s balloon is sending out transmissions on 2 bands on the same tracker, with two different antennas, this would be a first for us. On the 20 meter WSPR mode, Ken is using the 33 ft Dipole Antenna. A Dipole is 2 antennas, on the 20 meter band is 16 1/2 feet from the tracker to the balloon and 16 1/2 feet from the tracker down. Attached to the same tracker transmitting on the 2 meter band is a 40 inch Dipole antenna made from a guitar’s “G” string attached to a “T” connector, 20 inches on each end of the “T”.
One balloon, with 2 ID’s, Pico Balloon K9YO-1, transmitting the 20 meter band on WSPR and Pico Balloon K9YO-7, transmitting on the 2 meter band on APRS. The Sodehub Balloon Tracker link will show all Pico Balloons flying, and in close proximaty (we hope), Pico Balloon K9YO-1 and Pico Balloon K9YO-7. Above are the links for tracking Pico Balloons K9YO.
Pico Balloon K9YO-1 also known as Happy Cone, made its third Circumnavigation, March 4th, 2024, 16:04 UTC, at Grid EM71in. K9YO-1 was flying at an altitude 13,240 meters, 43,438 feet, 29 days and 23 hours of flight.
Pico Balloon K9YO-1 launched on February 4th 2024 from Grayslake, Illinois makes its First Circumnavigation on February 14th 2024 after 10 days of flight.
As expected Pico Balloon K9YO-1, also known as Happy Cone, made its 2nd circumnavigation while we were sleeping. On February 24th 2024, Pico Balloon K9YO-1 at Grid FM64LN, flying at an altitude of 43,077 feet has made its 2nd time around the world in 19 days, 18 hours, Wow! that’s fast.
Ken Daniel, K9YO launched the “Happy Cone” on November 19th 2023 for his Granddaughter’s 5th Grade Class.
Using a QRP Labs U4B tracker, our Standard Solar Array and 32″ SAG Balloon, the Happy Cone was launched on November 19th 2023 at 1400 UTC from Grayslake, Illinois.
You can follow K9YO-16 on the tracking links above.
KD9UQB Launched on November 24th from Grid IB59ui, Longitude -8.293333, Neumayer Station, Antarctica, 85 days and 6 hours as of February 17th 2023, 12:32 UTC.
First Circumnavigation around the World on December 4th 2022, after 9 days and 23 hours of flight
Second Circumnavigation around the World on December 14th 2022, after 20 days and 4 hours of flight
Third Circumnavigation around the World on January 2nd 2023, after 39 days of flight
Fourth Circumnavigation around the World on January 16th 2023, after 53 days and 1 hour of flight
Fifth Circumnavigation around the World on January 26th 2023, after 62 days and 23 hours of flight
Sixth Circumnavigation around the World on February 5th 2023, after 73 days and 5 hours of flight
Seventh Circumnavigation around the World on February 14th 2023, after 82 days and 12 hours of flight
Pico Balloon KD9UQB reporting February 17th 2023, 05:32 UTC at Grid JF37os, altitude, 11,760 meters, 38,585 feet.
NOAA Hysplit Trajectory February 17th through February 20th 2023
Pico Balloon KD9UQB, Seventh Circumnavigation, February 14th 2023, 18:12 UTC, Grid ID51vd, altitude 11,560 meters, 37,928 feet
KD9UQB also know as W5KUB-115, Launched November 24th 2022, from Neumayer Station III, Grid IB59ui, Antarctica
Pico Balloon KD9UQB, Sixth Circumnavigation, February 5th 2023, 11:22 UTC, Grid IE53un, altitude 11,500 meters, 37,732 feet, after 73 days and 5 hours.
Solar Panel designed for Pico Balloon KD9UQB, Antarctica launch by Jim Janiak KD9UQB, catching the sun’s elevation from 1.8 degrees to over 66 degrees for longer wake times.
K9YO Launched October 10th 2022, 123 days and 18 hours of flight, as of February 11th 2023, 00:48 zulu. (Missing in Action, February 11th 2023)
Sixth Circumnavigation around the World on January 31st 2023, after 112 days 22 hours.
Shortly after reporting the 5th circumnavigation after almost 77 days days of flight, Pico Balloon K9YO was declared missing in action. On January 26th 2023 after 109 days of flight, K9YO, reported then flew north of the Day/Night Change Line and went missing again. Pico Balloon K9YO started regular reporting on January 30th 2023.
- APRS Tracking
- WSPR Spot Database
- Ventusky, Tracking Jet Stream February 10th 2023 00:00 UTC
- Sondehub K9YO
Pico Balloon K9YO February 10th 2023, at Grid AO87ro 23:00 zulu, 11,860 meters, 38,900 feet
Best Guess Pico Balloon K9YO February 14th 2023,
Sixth Circumnavigation Pico Balloon K9YO at Grid FO32ai last heard at 15:48 zulu, on January 31st 2023 after 112 days and 22 hours of flight, 38,245 feet
AA6DY Launched September 3rd 2022, 81 days, 19 hours as of November 24th 2022 (Missing in Action)
Third Circumnavigation around the world on November 15th 2022
