Launch of Pico Balloon K9YO-22, October 3rd 2025

October 7, 2025 / Cary Willis, KD9ITO

We gathered for the launch of Pico Balloon K9YO-22 on Friday October 3rd 2025 in Libertyville, Illinois. The tracker didn’t report until the next day over Nashville, Tennessee. Now 4 days later, our balloon is near Europe. This isn’t the 22nd launch of K9YO, we use a number after the callsign to help track our balloon which will be described below.

The current flight information will be updated daily on our Locate and Track page, feel free to bookmark this page.

Pico Balloon K9YO-22 asleep at 17:28 UTC

This is the last report of Pico Balloon K9YO-22 before going to sleep. The track starts near Nashville Tennessee on October 4th. The Gridsquare HI51hi tells us the last reported location. The code QF8DHI gives us additional information, the second letter “F” tells us it’s getting 5 volts of power, the letter after the number in this case “D” shows the tracker is actually getting 5.3 volts. B=1, C=2, D=3, E=4, F=5 etc. The track shows red when it’s reporting, green when asleep or not reporting if there are no amateur radio stations receiving and reporting.

Our balloon last reported flying at 12,480 meters or 40,944 feet in altitude, flying at 134 miles per hour. The time showing 12:28 is our local time, Central Daylight Time. In UTC, the balloon last reported at 17:28 UTC (5 hours ahead of CDT)

Below is the projected trajectory over the next 84 hours. The different colors represent 10 different altitudes in 20 meter increments. This is from the Sondehub site, Float link, described below.

Pico Balloon K9YO-22 Projected Trajectory from October 7th 2025 thru October 11th 2025

Throughout this post we will have links in blue to help you navigate our website and the links we use to track our balloon. We will be able to see how many people received and opened this email and have clicked on various links to show us your areas of interest. We won’t know who clicks on a link.

We are the Northern Illinois Bottlecap Balloon Brigade, formed on June 9th 2021, We build and launch Pico Balloons as part of the amateur radio hobby, our home page is https://nibbb.org/

On our website you can read about our project with pictures through the years. I added a webpage to highlight special projects from our Blog which can be found here Highlights of the NIBBB

Once you get to our home page you’ll be able to follow our project, and learn how to build and launch Pico Balloons.

This is the first time we’re flying our newest in-house designed NIBBB tracker and solar panel package. For this launch the tracker was modified with a supervisor chip to help regulate the voltage before transmitting (pictured below). Our future NIBBB trackers will have a supervisor chip built in.

This tracker is launched vertically with the solar panel package sitting on the tracker like a hat, two solder joints connect the solar panel package to the tracker. With the added supervisor chip and wires, the total package of tracker, solar panels, and 33′ dipole antennas weighed in at 18 grams.

The balloon is a 32″ diameter silver SAG balloon purchased from Balloons Online. The balloon was pre-stretched to 32″ by Ken Daniel prior to the flight. We used Helium filled to lift 18 grams plus an additional 6 grams of free lift.

The solar panels are polycrystalline cells each 2″ x 3/4″ in size. We’re using 8 cells for this solar panel package. We were so concerned about the safe launch of this solar panel package, that Jim Janiak, NE9JJ designed a device to hold the tracker off the ground with a wireless release when the winds were calm. Luckily we were launching in very mild winds, Jim was ready to deploy the tracker launcher (name pending). Look for the upcomming video of Jim demonstrating his tracker launcher.

To get our package to the launch site safely, Michael Seedman, AA6DY is using a coffee can with the plastic lid cutout to hold the tracker/solar panel package in place, and a cardboard flap to hold the coffee can and antennas.

Below are pictures from the build and launch

Ken Daniel, K9YO wating with the balloon — Ken Daniel, K9YO

Joining us for the launch were Ken Daniel K9YO, Michael Seedman AA6DY, Stewart Spies KB9LM, Jim Janiak NE9JJ, Cary Willis KD9ITO, Don Whiteman KK9H and David Detelfsen K9EAD

With everything in place here are pictures of the launch

Traacker and Solar Panel package in flight — Balloon and Tracker package in flight

For tracking our balloon we use several websites that are available on the Locate and Track page of our website. For your easy viewing we have the links below and an explanation of each link.

Sondehub Balloon Tracker To follow all Pico Balloons flying around the world
K9YO-22 APRS.fi To see where our balloon is reporting, the altitude, and the travel over the last 7 days of flight. Click on the balloon to open the info page as seen above.
K9YO-22 on Sondehub similar to the sondehub link above, this will only show K9YO-22. On the left hand side you will see information on this balloon, click on Floats to see where the balloon is headed (Projected Trajectory) over the next 84 hours. Click on Plots to see more data received on this balloon and if you really think this project is cool, you can click on Share which will allow you to share the page by email
K9YO on WSPR Spot Database To see the Amateur Radio stations that report on our location and the distance from their station to our balloons location by km and miles
National Hurricane Center Weather systems over the Atlantic and Pacific oceans that may affect the direction of our balloon’s travel
K9YO-22 on lu7aa site Provides more detailed and interactive information on our balloon with additional links. Click on 12 Km winds will open Ventusky which will show the Jetstream at the altitude and location of our balloon. Zoom out, hover your mouse over the area to see the wind speed. Clicking on play will fast forward the jetstream over the hours and days. You can also get other weather information all over the world. This site also shows other Pico Balloons by callsign.

Please play around with these various links, and share with people you know.

To be added as a follower of the NIBBB and recieve these posts when published, send me an email at this link Contact Us or find me on QRZ

We are now flying over darkness and not transmitting. With the current wind speed at 120 mph, we should expect a wakeup in about 8 hours.

We have so many people to thank for supporting our program and our Pico Balloon hobby.

To Douglas Malnati, KD2KDD and for his continued support for the Pico Balloon worldwide Community. For information on his Traquito project please visit https://traquito.github.io/

When we first started our NIBBB project in 2021 we followed his site https://www.picoballoons.net/ by Doug Malnati KD2KDD and Mark Malnati KN4IUD

Please share your comments and questions,

73, Cary KD9ITO

February 3rd 2022, More about Balloons and updates to our Website

February 3, 2023February 17, 2023 / Cary Willis, KD9ITO / 1 Comment

I suppose this is a good time to talk more about balloons, our hobby of Pico Balloons and other balloons.

As licensed Amateur Radio operators, we follow regulations for launching a balloon. Here in the United States we follow the Code of Federal Regulations 14 CFR Part 101 This information is found our our Technical Page

Our Pico Balloons are 32 inch diameter with a 100 inch circumference, pre-stretched prior to launch and becomes full at highest cruising altitude (Between 32,000 feet and 50,000 feet depending on the package weight)

Our Trackers, solar panel, and antenna packages are lighter than a small bird. Our balloons are filled using a gram scale filled at less than a cubic foot of gas, enough to lift the package +- 8 grams of gas, and are exempt from 14 CFR 101

Below are excerpts from 14 CFR 101

This part prescribes rules governing the operation in the United States, of the following:

(1) Except as provided for in § 101.7, any balloon that is moored to the surface of the earth or an object thereon and that has a diameter of more than 6 feet or a gas capacity of more than 115 cubic feet.
(2) Except as provided for in § 101.7, any kite that weighs more than 5 pounds and is intended to be flown at the end of a rope or cable.

And Part 4

Except as provided for in § 101.7, any unmanned free balloon that –

(i) Carries a payload package that weighs more than four pounds and has a weight/size ratio of more than three ounces per square inch on any surface of the package, determined by dividing the total weight in ounces of the payload package by the area in square inches of its smallest surface;
(ii) Carries a payload package that weighs more than six pounds;
(iii) Carries a payload, of two or more packages, that weighs more than 12 pounds; or
(iv) Uses a rope or other device for suspension of the payload that requires an impact force of more than 50 pounds to separate the suspended payload from the balloon.

§ 101.17 Lighting and marking requirements.

(a) No person may operate a moored balloon or kite, between sunset and sunrise unless the balloon or kite, and its mooring lines, are lighted so as to give a visual warning equal to that required for obstructions to air navigation in the FAA publication “Obstruction Marking and Lighting”.

(b) No person may operate a moored balloon or kite between sunrise and sunset unless its mooring lines have colored pennants or streamers attached at not more than 50 foot intervals beginning at 150 feet above the surface of the earth and visible for at least one mile.

(Sec. 6(c), Department of Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. 1655(c)))

[Doc. No. 1580, 28 FR 6722, June 29, 1963, as amended by Amdt. 101-4, 39 FR 22252, June 21, 1974]

§ 101.19 Rapid deflation device.

No person may operate a moored balloon unless it has a device that will automatically and rapidly deflate the balloon if it escapes from its moorings. If the device does not function properly, the operator shall immediately notify the nearest ATC facility of the location and time of the escape and the estimated flight path of the balloon.

I’ve previously wrote about our Team Member, John Walsh, W9BLN who is a member of the Adler Planetarium Far Horizons Project. John volunteers with the GoNet Project that monitors Light Pollution in the Chicago area. They launch weather balloons that get as big as a house at maximum altitude. These balloons carry a 10 lb payload with cameras and other equipment costing thousands of dollars. These High Altitude Balloons with expensive payloads must be recovered. Far Horizons has a launch committee and a recovery committee. I’ve followed a past flight on APRS that usually lasts 5 hours. The Far Horizons group flys a flight plan with the FAA.

The Code of Federal Regulations is a good read, and I hope you follow our link above.

On our Locate and Track page we have several links to follow the worldwide Amateur Radio Pico Balloons in flight that are registered through APRS. One of the links is Amateur Sondehub

From Amateur Sondehub January 31st 2023 showing K9YO and KD9UQB with the group

We are a small group of Pico Balloon enthusiasts.

Sondehub also tracks other balloons flying around the world at Sondehub.org

These are very crowded skies.

Clicking on the Sondehub links above and scrolling out will show all the registered balloons flying around the world.

New from the Northern Illinois Bottlecap Balloon Brigade

From the start of our program in June of 2021, besides having fun, our goal was to teach others how to build and launch Pico Balloons. This is a continued work in progress.

Our Team Member, Jim Janiak, KD9UQB has designed and started to teach our team members how to build our solar panel packages. Jim has updated our website on the solar panel builds.

When you visit our main page https://nibbb.org/ you’ll read about the introduction to our program and our members. The heading on each page show the links for more information.

Two recently added links are information on how to build our Low Sun Angle – High Power solar array with Bill of Materials and the Standard Array with Bill of Materials. The Low Sun Angle High Power array was designed and built by Jim for the Antarctica launch on November 24th 2022, now on the 71st day of flight and getting ready for the 6th circumnavigation.

Our Pico Balloon K9YO after missing in action for 30 days, made the 6th circumnaviation on January 31st 2023, and is expected over Finland around February 4th.

For updated information on our balloons in flight, please visit our Locate and Track page. For posts starting with the most recent please visit our Blog page.

Please feel free to email me if you have any questions. I can be reached through my QRZ page or the Contact Us link on our website.

73, Cary KD9ITO

January 26th 2023, Pico Balloon KD9UQB, Fifth Circumnavigation, 05:34 Zulu, Grid IE75ri

January 26, 2023February 17, 2023 / Cary Willis, KD9ITO / 1 Comment

Pico Balloon KD9UQB was launched on November 24th 2022 from Neumayer Station III, Antartica

The cyclinder solar panel array, Low Sun Angle-High Power using a flexible film for the panels was designed by Jim Janiak, KD9UQB specifically for this launch.

Low Sun Angle-High Power Solar Panel Array

On January 26th, 2023, at 05:34 zulu, Pico Balloon KD9UQB, Circumnavigated the World a 5th time in 62 days and 23 hours, reaching Grid IE75ri at an altitude of 11,240 meters, 36,878 feet.

Pico Balloon KD9UQB, completed the 5th Circumnavigation on January 26th 2023 at Grid IE75ri, altitude 36,878 feet

We are predicting by using the 84 hour NOAA Hyplit Trajectory, that Pico Balloon KD9UQB will be south of Tasmania around January 29th 2023.

Best Guess, January 29th 2023, Grid QE33dw, 18:00 zulu

Our Locate and Track Page has been updated for the 84 hour NOAA Trajectory, Sondehub for Float, Ventusky for wind speed and direction and APRS for location on the world map.

In addition, our Technical Team has provided two new Headers to our website with information on how to build our solar panels.

Power Solar Panels, showing the build of the Low Sun Angle- High Power Solar Panel used in this Antarctica Launch
The Standard Solar Array with Instructions and Bill of Materials.

Please feel free to contact me at the link above “Contact US” clicking on the link will forward to my email. Questions and Comments are welcome.

73, Cary KD9ITO

January 16th 2023, KD9UQB, 4th Circumnavigation

January 16, 2023January 26, 2023 / 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.

“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

January 14th 2023, KD9UQB, Falkland Islands

January 14, 2023January 16, 2023 / Cary Willis, KD9ITO / Leave a comment

How time flies when you’re having fun. Pico Balloon KD9UQB has moved a little north enjoying more scenery. Pico Balloon KD9UQB reported on January 14th, 20:04 UTC at Grid GD08EN, Falkland Islands, South Atlantic archipelago. KD9UQB is now enjoying an altitude of 10,900 meters, 35,752 feet and flight time of 51 days and 13 hours.

Pico Balloon KD9UQB at Grid GD08EN, altitude 35,752 feet

We’re expecting Pico Balloon KD9UQB to circumnavigate the world a 4th time around January 16th 2023, at 15:00 UTC.

The 84 hour NOAA Hysplit model shows Pico Balloon KD9UQB continuing around Antarctica passing Heard Island and McDonald Islands around January 18th 2023 at 06:00 UTC near Grid ND38tt

Best Guess Pico Balloon KD9UQB, January 18th 2023, Grid ND38tt

Our Locate and Track page is updated at least once a day for the 84 hour NOAA Hysplit model showing the projected path at altitude. The Ventusky link shows the wind speed and direction, and APRS for current location on the world map. The Sondehub link shows all Pico Balloons in flight around the world. The WSPR Spot Database updates automatically with every 1st packet received, showing among other data, the reporting station and their distance to our balloon.

The WSPR Spot Database is showing that on January 14th 2023 at 11:52 UTC, Seto, JA5NVN received our signal at a distance of 17,201 Km or 10,688 miles. Thank you Seto for finding our balloon.

Pico Balloon KD9UQB is flying with a low sun-high power solar panel package operating on 20mW, or .02 watts. The actual solar panel and tracker used for this flight is shown on our Locate and Track page in the Pico Balloon KD9UQB section.

73, Cary KD9ITO

January 2nd 2023, Pico Balloon KD9UQB completes Third Cicumnavigation around the world

January 2, 2023January 16, 2023 / Cary Willis, KD9ITO / 1 Comment

Happy New Year to all and congratulations to the NIBBB Team for another feat, our 3rd Pico Balloon to Cirumnavigate the world at least three times.

Pico Balloon KD9UQB was launched on November 24th 2022, from Neumayer Station III, Antarctica as part of a larger group effort. For this launch we were testing a new tracker that would provide consistent reporting and a new solar panel package that would power up near sunsrise and stay awake at the lower sun’s elevation.

Pico Balloon KD9UQB has made it around the world three times in 39 days on January 2nd 2023.

Pico Balloon KD9UQB, 3rd Circumnavigation at Grid ID88QP, 34,178 feet

Using the 84 hour NOAA Hysplit Trajectory model, we are predicting that Pico Balloon KD9UQB will be near Grid MC50AA around January 6th 2023 at 06:00 UTC

Best Guess for KD9UQB around January 6th 2023 06:00 UTC

Our two solar panel systems we have been using are a mulitple polycrystilline package which is horizontal, fragile, thin and light and the film solar panel which is a vertical cylinder, sturdy and heavier.

We are also testing a pyramid shaped polycystalline solar panel package for a future launch.

The horizontal polycrystilline panel weighs around 4.2 grams, the film cylinder panel weighs about 18 grams.

Gordi Mulley, KD9TVR holding the Polycrystillne Solar Panel 4.2 grams

The Film Solar Panel designed and built by Jim Janiak, KD9UQB for the Antarctica Flight, 18 grams

From our Breakfast meeting December 17th 2022, showing the Fim solar panel package for Gordie KD9TVR and Kelsi KE9LSI launch in early 2023

The Polycrystilline package similar to the one shown by Gordie, KD9TVR was used for Pico Balloon AA6DY reaching an altitude of over 47,000 feet, and circumnavigating three times around the world in 82 days.

The Film Solar Panel was made for the Antarctica flight and testing winter launches for the lower sun’s elevation reaching an altitude of around 34,000 feet.

Our Locate and Track page has been updated for Pico Balloon KD9UQB with the 84 hour NOAA Hysplit model. Ventusky for wind speed and direction, APRS tracking and Sondehub for tracking all Pico Balloons in flight around the world.

Our next test for KD9UQB is how long the Film solar panels last with the UV coating. While this is an ongoing test, we are working on our next launches for January 2023 from Northern Illinois, stay tuned.

73, Cary KD9ITO

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

December 26, 2022December 31, 2022 / 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 19th 2022, K9YO and KD9UQB

December 19, 2022December 23, 2022 / Cary Willis, KD9ITO / Leave a comment

After a few days of silence, K9YO reported on December 19th at 01:30 UTC at Grid PN64HA near Vladivostok, Russia, at an altitude of 11,900 meters, 39,032 feet. K9YO is now at 69 days and 11 hours of flight time. The NOAA Hysplit model shows K9YO heading east then northwest over 84 hours. The Sondehub Float shows K9YO heading east. We should see another reading tomorrow and will update our Locate and Track page

K9YO at Grid PN64HA altitdue 39,032 feet

Pico Balloon KD9UQB has been close to the Day/Night Change Line with longer wake times. Reporting below at Grid NC21LV at 14:14 UTC December 19th 2022. Pico Balloon KD9UQB is flying at an altitude of 10,600 meters, 34,768 feet, for 25 days and 8 hours of total flight time.

Pico Balloon KD9UQB Best Guess location on December 23rd, 00:00 UTC Grid OC88aa

KD9UQB Best Guess December 23rd Grid OC88aa

Tracking our balloons on one page using APRS for December 19th

K9YO near Sea of Japan, KD9UQB Antarctica, (AA6DY missing since November 24th)

Our Locate and Track page has been updated for Pico Balloons K9YO and KD9UQB for APRS, Ventusky for wind speed and direction, 84 hour NOAA Hysplit model, Sondehub for tracking Float direction and other Pico Balloons around the world.

It may be a few days between posts, the Locate and Track page will be updated as new information is received. We encourage you to check this page and the links available for tracking all our balloons.

73, Cary KD9ITO

December 16th 2022, K9YO and KD9UQB

December 16, 2022December 19, 2022 / Cary Willis, KD9ITO / Leave a comment

Pico Balloon K9YO woke on December 14th over Russia and then went north into darkness and silent.

Pico Balloon KD9UQB launched from Neumayer Station III, Antarctica is reporting on December 17th at Grid LC99EH over the Southern Ocean at 01:32 UTC with plenty of sunlight ahead. KD9UQB was within the Day/Night Change Line and getting some sleep.

The 84 hour NOAA Hysplit model shows the general direction will be east and then south for longer reporting times. The Sondehub Float below shows a continued direction east.

Pico Balloon KD9UQB is flying at an altitude of 10,540 meters 34,571 feet

KD9UQB at Grid LC99EH altitude 34,571 feet

Our Best Guess for KD9UQB on December 20th 2022 based on the 84 hour NOAA Hysplit Model

Best Guess December 20th Grid NB08MA 12:00 UTC

The Sondehub link from our Locate and Track page under Pico Balloon KD9UQB, the Float track longer than 84 hours.

At the top of our Locate and Track page, the Sondehub link is currently showing 41 Pico Balloons in flight around the world.

Our Locate and Track page has been updated for Pico Balloon KD9UQB. Information of this flight has been moved to the top of the Locate and Track page including a picture of the solar panel package Jim, KD9UQB built for this launch.

The Ventusky link shows KD9UQB in a slow moving system for the next few days. The WSPR Spot Database updates automatically showing the reporting station and their distance to the balloon.

Station VE6JY from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada was received at 01:32 UTC, 19,112 Km, 11,876 miles away.

Please bookmark our Locate and Track page for continued updates between posts.

73, Cary KD9ITO

December 14th 2022, KD9UQB 2nd Circumnavigation, K9YO awake over Russia

December 14, 2022December 16, 2022 / Cary Willis, KD9ITO / Leave a comment

Pico Balloon KD9UQB, launched on November 24th 2022 from Neumayer Station III, Antarctica, completed the 2nd Circumnavigation on December 14th after 20 days and 4 hours of flight. KD9UQB is flying at an altitude of 10,720 meters, 35,162 feet.

KD9UQB 2nd Circumnavigation December 14th 2022

Best Guess, KD9UQB December 17th 2022

Pico Balloon K9YO last reported on December 6th, making a 4th circumnavigation over Quebec Canada. We believed that K9YO stayed north of the Day/Night Change Line, traveling around the North Pole, we were waiting for K9YO to travel south. K9YO reported on December 14th at 02:10 UTC at Grid PN78XK near Khabarovsk, Russia at an altitude of 11,720 meters, 38,422 feet.

We believe K9YO will travel northwest on December 17th 2022

Our Locate and Track page has been updated for KD9UQB for 84 hour NOAA Hysplit, Ventusky for wind speed and direction, APRS and Sondehub.

73, Cary KD9ITO