Circumnavigation

December 16th 2023, A Follower’s Dream

/ Cary Willis, KD9ITO

On a previous post I mentioned one of our NIBBB Follower’s, Perry Moore of Hardin, Illinois who launched his own Pico Balloon KD9NGV-15 on November 28th 2023.

Today, we’d like to congratulate Perry for his 1st Circumnavigation today, December 16th 2023. Pico Balloon KD9NGV-15 has been flying pretty consistently near 39,000 feet for the entire flight. We had been a little worried when the balloon went missing traveling north of the day/night change line twice, only to power back up and continue the flight. 

Pico Balloon KD9NGV-15, 1st Circumnvigation December 16th 2023 after 17 days and 22 hours of flight

While at the NIBBB team breakfast last week, I had shown Perry’s Pico Tracker Package. The group had asked, had any of our other follower’s gone on to build and launch their own Pico balloons? That question I couldn’t answer, because Perry was the only one who shared his build and launch information. 

Besides our daily visitors, we now have 169 subscribers to these posts. We’d like to hear from you. Have you launched a Pico Balloon since becoming a follower? Please send your responses to me by using this link Cary AT NIBBB and I’ll share in a post.

Perry’s build; his solar panel designed based on our Low Sun Angle High Power solar panel, used a triangular design, with smaller panels which were able to power up with the sun’s elevation as low as 3 Degrees, quite a feat. Perry, used the QRP Labs U4B tracker which we also use on some of our flights. The tracker was programmed on the 10 meter band for a smaller antenna which can also be used by Technician level licensecees. And lastly, Perry used the silver SAG Balloon with Helium.

KD9NGV Pico Ballloon package

For our licensed followers, you can help Perry by tuning your radios to 10 meter WSPR and point your atennas to help us track this Pico Balloon.

You can follow the flight of Pico Balloon KD9NGV-15 at our Locate and Track page

What a great hobby!  73, Cary KD9ITO

February 14th, 2023, K9YO, Missing in Action, KD9UQB, 7th Circumnavigation.

/ Cary Willis, KD9ITO / 9 Comments

Pico Balloon K9YO last reported on February 11th at 00:48 zulu near Hagemeister Island after 123 days and 18 hours of flight.

Hagemeister Island is an uninhabited island in the U.S. state of Alaska, located on the north shore of Bristol Bay at the entrance to Togiak Bay. The island is 16 miles long, has a land area of 115.9 square miles, and its highest point is 604 feet. It has no permanent population at the 2000 census. Wikipedia

The 84 hour NOAA Hysplit Trajectory showed Pico Balloon K9YO making the 7th circumnavigation on February 13th around 18:00 zulu, and then traveling north of the Day/Night Change Line.

Below is a screen shot from Ventusky from February 11th showing the possible wind speed and direction. The darker colors near Hagemeister are 63 mph, the green color further north is 24 mph.

Ventusky is interactive, you can change the date at the lower left hand corner and slide the time at the bottom. This is a nice site to play with, search a location, and change the parameters on the left. Clicking on any location on the map will open a screen with information for that location.

The links for Ventusky and NOAA are on our Locate and Track page for each balloon.

Two of the several programs we follow to track our balloons are NOAA and lu7aa.org NOAA showed us going in a general eastward direction, lu7aa showed us going northeast. Pico Balloon K9YO on lu7aa

lu7aa shows a projected location using Ventusky. Projection seen below for February 15th 2023, 03:58 zulu, Grid DQ14er, 4 days and 3 hours from our last official report.

For now we are calling Pico Balloon K9YO Missing in Action.

Pico Balloon KD9UQB was launched from Neumayer Station III in Antarctica on November 24th 2022, completing the 7th Circumnavigation, on February 14th 2023 at 18:12 zulu at Grid ID52vd.

Pico Balloon KD9UQB last reported flying at an altitude of 11,560 meters, 37,928 feet, completing the 7th time around the world in 82 days and 12 hours of flight.

The 84 hour NOAA Hysplit Model shows Pico Balloon KD9UQB heading north also by Ventusky for February 14th 18:00 zulu

We update the NOAA Hysplit Model and Ventusky every day our balloons report. The WSPR Spot Database is updated automatically everytime our balloons receive a report.

Though you may not be seeing regular posts here, we update our Locate and Track page daily when our balloons are reporting. The WSPR Spot Database is updated automatically everytime our balloons receive a report. Pico Balloon K9YO and Pico Balloon KD9UQB have their own WSPR Spot Database link on our site and the easiest way to see when our balloons report. The WSPR Spot Database shows the reporting station and the distance to our balloon in Km and miles.

Thank you for following the NIBBB. 73, Cary KD9ITO

January 16th 2023, KD9UQB, 4th Circumnavigation

/ Cary Willis, KD9ITO / 1 Comment

Pico Balloon KD9UQB was launched from Neumayer Station III, Grid IB59UI, Antarctica, on November 24th 2022. After 53 days and 1 hour of flight, Pico Balloon KD9UQB made its 4th Circumnavigation around the world.

Pico Balloon KD9UQB had reached Grid ID65LE at 07:32 UTC flying at an altitude of 10,840 meters, 35,566 feet, completing the 4th Circumnavigation around the world.

With several more hours of sunlight and flying north over warmer temperatures. Pico Balloon KD9UQB has been reaching altitudes of 11,100 meters.

The 84 hour NOAA Hysplit Trajectory model and Ventusky shows Pico Balloon KD9UQB traveling in a faster Jetstream arriving south of New Zealand around January 20th 2023.

NOAA Hysplit Model for 84 hours
“Best Guess” Pico Balloon KD9UQB around January 20th 2023, Grid RC54HJ

Our Locate and Track page has been updated for Pico Balloon KD9UQB showing the 84 hour NOAA Trajectory, Ventusky for windspeed and direction, and APRS for current location on the world map. The WSPR Spot Database updates automatically. We are seeing Radio Station KFS reporting at 09:22 UTC from Half Moon Bay, south of San Francisco California, 15,137 Km or 9,406 miles from our balloon.

Also on our Locate and Track page is the Sondehub link showing all Pico Balloons in flight around the world. Below is from Sondehub showing the past 3 day path and forward projected path based on different altitudes.

Sondehub Float showing past 3 day path and forward projection of Pico Balloon KD9UQB

Congratulations to the NIBBB Team, and many thanks to our followers.

73, Cary KD9ITO

December 26th 2022, Happy Boxing Day, KD9UQB and 5th Circumnavigation of K9YO

/ Cary Willis, KD9ITO / Leave a comment

What a great way to celebrate our Holidays.

Pico Balloon KD9UQB was first to report on December 26th at 12:42 UTC after last reporting on December 19th. Pictured below at 13:22 UTC Grid CD10BC at 10,480 meters 34,374 feet, and nearing a 3rd circumnavigation around the world on January 1st 2023.

We are predicting Pico Balloon KD9UQB will be near the Falkland Islands around December 30th 2022

Pico Balloon KD9UQB near the Falkland Islands around December 30th 2022

Pico Balloon K9YO was last heard on December 20th over Russia and believed to be heading towards the North Pole. Pico Balloon K9YO was launched on October 10th 2022 from Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville, Illinois. Now after 76 days and 23 hours of flight, Pico Balloon K9YO has made the Fifth Cicumnavigation around the world.

Our first report of Pico Balloon K9YO came from our WSPR Spot Database on December 26th at 15:48 UTC at Grid EN78 near Dubreuilville, Ontario Canada. Pico Balloon K9YO is flying at an altitude of 12,180 meters, 39,950 feet.

Pico Balloon K9YO Fifth Circumnavigation December 26th 2022, altitude 39,950 feet

Best Guess for Pico Balloon K9YO on December 30th 2022, Grid KQ51DH

Best Guess, Pico Balloon K9YO, December 30th 2022, Grid KQ51DH

Our Locate and Track page is now updated for Pico Balloons KD9UQB and K9YO for APRS, Sondehub, 84 hour NOAA Hysplit Model, WSPR Spot Database and Ventusky for tracking wind speed and direction. The WSPR Spot Database provides realtime tracking of all our balloons.

73, Cary KD9ITO

December 6th 2022, K9YO, 4th Circumnavigation and KD9UQB

/ Cary Willis, KD9ITO / Leave a comment

Pico Balloon K9YO has circumnavigated the world a 4th time. Pico Balloon K9YO reported at 16:20 UTC at Grid FO01 near Waskaganish, Quebec, Canada flying at an altitude of 12,240 meters, 40,147 feet. Pico Balloon K9YO was launched on October 10th 2022 from Libertyville, Illinois a northern suburb of Chicago, making the 4th circumnavigation in 57 days.

Pico Balloon K9YO 4th Circumnavigation December 6th 2022, 16:20 UTC Waskaganish, Quebec, Canada

Pico Balloon K9YO woke to report the 4th circumnavigation and went back to sleep. K9YO will be traveling northwest over the Arctic Ocean around December 10th.

K9YO Best Guess December 10th 2022

Looking at Ventusky for the Jetstream from December 10th forward, it’s hard to predict where or when Pico Balloon K9YO will next report. Here’s the link for Ventusky December 10th K9YO at our expected location as per NOAA.

Pico Balloon KD9UQB will be traveling around Antarctica, for at least the next 84 hours as per NOAA, looking closer at the 2nd circumnavigation.

Below as of 22:22 UTC, Grid OC23bx, flying at an altitude of 10,540 meters, 34,571 feet.

Our Locate and Track page has been updated for Pico Balloons K9YO and KD9UQB. The WSPR Spot Databases automatically update for all our balloons on our Locate and Track page. Pico Balloon KD9UQB is also flying as W5KUB-115 and can be tracked at this link Sondehub W5KUB

Congratulations to the NIBBB Team for another circumnavigation. The next update will be around December 10th when KD9UQB will be looking for the 2nd circumnavigation.

73, Cary KD9ITO

November 22nd 2022, AA6DY on the way to Africa and K9YO came back from the missing, and Circumnavigates a Third time

/ Cary Willis, KD9ITO / 1 Comment

First reporting the big news. After reporting Pico Balloon K9YO Missing in Action. K9YO woke on November 22nd 2022 at 16:00 UTC at Grid EN36MU, just west of Duluth, Minnesota. K9YO reported at an altitude of 12,540 meters, 41,525 feet.

K9YO on November 22nd 2022 at Grid EN36MU, near Deluth, Minnesota altitude 41,525 feet

At 19:40 UTC, Pico Balloon K9YO reported at Grid EN56RK

Pico Balloon K9YO was launched on October 10th 2022 from Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville, Illinois. After flying 43 Days and 2 Hours, Pico Balloon K9YO Circumnavigates the World a Third time.

K9YO November 22nd 2022 Circumnavigates the World a Third time

Our “Best Guess” is that Pico Balloon K9YO will be near Poland around November 26th 2022.

“Best Guess” for K9YO around November 26th 2022

Pico Balloon AA6DY reported at Grid HJ71hh at 10:54 UTC over the North Atlantic Ocean, flying at an altitude of 14,420 meters, 47,298 feet.

AA6DY at Grid HJ71hh, altitude 47,298 feet

Our “Best Guess” is that Pico Balloon AA6DY will be near Chad, Central Africa around November 25th 2022.

“Best Guess” for AA6DY around November 25th 2022

Please visit our Locate and Track page for the 84 hour NOAA Hysplit Model, Ventusky for Wind Speed and Direction and APRS for both our balloons.

Congratulations to the NIBBB Team for another Circumnavigation.

November 15th 2022, K9YO Reports over the Black Sea, Georgia and AA6DY completes the Third Circumnavigation around the World.

/ Cary Willis, KD9ITO / 1 Comment

Pico Balloon K9YO woke at 07:30 UTC at Grid LN02HT over the Black Sea near Georgia, flying at an altitude of 12,960 meters, 42,509 feet. Pico Balloon K9YO is flying in a quiet area of the world receiving only one, 2nd packet this reporting period.

K9YO at Grid LN02HT, 42,509 feet

Our “Best Guess” is that K9YO will be near the International Date Line on November 18th 2022. K9YO was near Norway just a few days ago, and is on a fast track working on the 3rd Circumnavigation around the World.

K9YO “Best Guess for November 18th 2022

Pico Balloon AA6DY Launched on September 3rd 2022, Completes the Third Circumnavigation around the World on November 15th 2022 at 19:32 UTC, Grid EI93 after 73 days and 8 hours of Flight

Pico Balloon AA6DY was launched from Willow Hill Golf Course in Northbrook, IL (Longitude -87.80) on September 3rd 2022. Now after 73 days and 8 hours of flight, AA6DY has Circumnavigated the World, Three Times, Flying to Grid EI93 Northwest of Chicyalo, Peru, South America (Longitude -81.04) Pico Balloon AA6DY is flying at an altitude of 14,300 meters, 46,904 feet.

AA6DY at Grid EI93, 46,904 feet

Our “Best Guess” is that AA6DY will continue east towards Brazil on November 19th 2022

AA6DY “Best Guess” on Novemebr 19th 2022

Congratulations to the NIBBB Team for all their hard work on making all of this possible. Please click on our Locate and Track page for updated information on these Pico Balloons.

73, Cary KD9ITO

October 22nd 2022, K9YO, First Circumnavigation around the World

/ Cary Willis, KD9ITO / 1 Comment

After 11 days and 23 hours of flight, K9YO woke at 16:18 UTC, Grid EO66HD over the Hudson Bay, near Fort Severn, Ontario, Canada for its First Circumnavigtion around the world. K9YO was launched on October 10th 2022 from Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville, Illinois. This was the fastest time around the world that we’ve experienced, AA6DY making its first lap in 22 days. Our Locate and Track page has been updated for K9YO for APRS, Ventusky, and NOAA projected trajectory model for 84 hours. K9YO is currently flying at an altitude of 12,050 meters, 39,525 feet. NOAA is projecting K9YO will be between Greenland and Iceland on October 26th, 2022.

K9YO First Circumnavigation in 11 days, 23 hours Grid EO66HD

Pico Balloon AA6DY woke at 15:12 UTC at Grid DJ37FQ just west of Costa Rica, Central America. AA6DY is flying at an altitude of 14,420 meters, 47,298 feet. Our Locate and Track page has been updated with a change in the NOAA projected trajectory for 84 hours.

Yesterday, I reported that AA6DY would fly towards Wisconsin on October 25th. NOAA is now predicting that AA6DY will be flying towards Florida by October 26th, 2022.

Maps of current locations and 84 hour NOAA, “Best Guess” locations are on our Locate and Track page and are updated when we see a change. You can also follow other Pico Balloons around the world by clicking Sondehub on our Locate and Track page.

AA6DY at Grid DJ37FQ, October 22nd 2022

Below we see an image from Sondehub with K9YO-15 over Canada and AA6DY-15 over the North Pacific Ocean. With our Pico Balloon hobby, we are never alone.

We’re very excited here at the NIBBB to have two balloons, K9YO and AA6DY circumnavigate the world with AA6DY ready for the 2nd lap. 73, Cary KD9ITO

September 24th, Around the World in 22 Days

/ Cary Willis, KD9ITO / Leave a comment

We have made our first Circumnavigation after 21 Days, 7 hours and 32 minutes. AA6DY at Grid EM67KM at 21:12 UTC, 4:12 pm CDT just southeast of Evansville, Indiana.

We launched AA6DY from Willow Hill Golf Course in Northbrook, IL on September 3rd 2022.

As we begin our 2nd lap, we would like to thank all those that have made this possible.

Grid EM67KM Southeast of Evansville, Indiana
AA6DY First Circumnavigation from Northbrook, IL September 3rd 2022 to Evansville Indiana September 24th 2022
Starting our 2nd Lap Around the World

Locate and Track have been updated with Jestream, our location and other Pico Balloons around the World.