Yokohama

April 13th 2023, Launching Pico Balloons KD9WNU and KD9WVO and update for NE9JJ-2

/ Cary Willis, KD9ITO

We launched two balloons on Saturday April 13th 2024 from Willow Hill Golf Course in Northbrook, IL, for our two newest team members, Janet Knowles, KD9WVO and her son Calvin, KD9WNU. Calvin is a 7th grader and member of the Central School Amateur Radio Club in Glencoe, Illinois.

Janet and Cal have been active in the NIBBB since February of 2023 and together wrote our Blog Post https://nibbb.org/2024/01/31/the-stretchinator-hasta-la-vista-balloon/ The Stretchinator session was taught by our team member Stewart Spies, KB9LM also an Elmer to Calvin.

For these launches we used the Zachtek trackers which Janet and Cal built in two sessions with Ken Daniel, K9YO at their October 14th and 28th 2023 build sessions pictured on our Home page https://nibbb.org/

After the build, the trackers were then sent to Stewart KB9LM for testing. For this launch we are testing a new balloon from the Yokohama Balloon company in Yokohama, Japan. Yokohama is a favorite among the Pico Balloon community and recently they started selling a valveless balloon. When we fill a balloon for launch, we use just enough gas to lift the package plus a little more for free lift.

The partially filled balloon’s valve doesn’t close fully until the balloon reaches full altitude. To make sure the gas doesn’t escape prior to launch, we used Kapton tape over the valve opening. With a valveless balloon we’re able to heat seal the balloon after filling and then Kapton tape to secure the package to the balloon.

For this flight, Pico Balloon KD9WVO we used a valveless Yokohama balloon stretched to a circumference of 102 inches. Pico Balloon KD9WNU we used a valved Yokohama Balloon stretched to a circumference of 100 inches. During the flight, we’ll be able to see the difference in altitude.

Pictured below is the group assisting in our launch

Back Row left to right; Jim Janiak NE9JJ, Michael Seedman AA6DY, Cary Willis KD9ITO, Douglas Mulley KD9TPM and Stewart Spies KB9LM. Front Row, left to right; Janet Knowles KD9WVO, Leeloo Knowles, Calvin Knowles KD9WNU, Gordie Mulley KD9TVR, Kyli Mulley and Kelsi Mulley KE9LSI.

Pico Balloon KD9WVO, launched at 15:43 UTC, slideshows below

  • Michael Seedman, and Stewart Spies, preparing the balloon
  • In the group Gordie and Cal both 7th graders, Janet holding the balloon assisted by Jim Janiak
  • Michael, and Stewart unrolling the antenna, and monofilament line, Doug holding the tracker and lower antenna
  • Janet releasing the balloon
  • Nice easy lift
  • Balloon and tracker released
  • Balloon and Tracker Launched

Pico Balloon KD9WNU, launched at 16:00 UTC, slideshow below

  • In the group Cal holding the balloon, from the left, Jim, Doug, Stewart, Cal, Leeloo, Janet and Gordie
  • Cal preparing to release his balloon
  • Balloon is released
  • Tracker is released
  • Balloon and Tracker is flying

Below, Pico Balloon KD9WVO launched at 15:43 UTC, is now asleep at Grid EM98ua at 22:54 UTC, West Virginia, flying for 7 hours and and 11 minutes, at an altitude of 41,535 feet. For this launch we used a valveless Yokohama balloon, stretched to 102 inches.

Below, Pico Balloon KD9WNU launched at 16:00 UTC, is now asleep at Grid EM99CB, at 22:24 UTC, West Virginia, for 6 hours and 24 minutes of flying at an altitude of 40,485 feet. For this launch we used a valved Yokohama balloon stretched to 100 inches.

Pico Balloon KD9WVO on day 2 awake on April 14th 2024 at Grid FM75aa, flying at an altitude of 41,141 feet, after flying for 20 hours and 21 minutes

Pico Balloon KD9WNU on day 2 awake on April 14th 2024 at Grid FM75cl, flying at an altitude of 40,485 feet, after flying for 20 hours and 4 minutes

Below is the NOAA Hysplit for Pico Balloon KD9WVO and Pico Balloon KD9WNU for April 15th 2024 thru April 18th 2024 projection to Krakow, Poland April 18th 2024

Pico Balloon NE9JJ-2 which was launched on March 2nd 2024 is awake at Grid DK47fr, flying for 42 days and 19 hours, preparing for the 4th Circumnavigation around the world on April 16th 2024.

Pico Balloon NE9JJ-2 at Grid DK47fr after 42 days and 19 hours of flight

Below is the Hysplit for Pico Balloon NE9JJ-2 from April 15th 2024 thru April 18th 2024, heading towards The Gambia, West Africa

Please bookmark for updates to our website of our home page https://nibbb.org/ and daily updates for current balloons in flight on our Locate and Track page

We are tracking all our balloons together on APRS as seen below from our Locate and Track page or click here; Pico Balloons; NE9JJ-2, KD9WVO-11 and KD9WNU-11 on APRS

Pico Balloon NE9JJ-2 approaching Mexico. Pico Balloon KD9WVO and Pico Balloon KD9WNU launched 15 minutes apart are flying close together over the North Atlantic Ocean.

73, Cary KD9ITO

October 3rd 2022, Day 32, 22:32 UTC, East of Yokohama, Japan, North Pacific Ocean

/ Cary Willis, KD9ITO / Leave a comment

It’s Deja Vu all over again. AA6DY woke at 22:32 UTC, 5:32 pm CDT at Grid QM14MJ just east of Yokohama, Japan over the North Pacific Ocean. Our altitude is 14,420 meters, 47,298 feet.

QM14MJ East of Yokohama, Japan

For those that have been following from our launch on September 3rd 2022, we are flying a Yokohama 32″ sphere balloon that had been pre stretched to an almost 100 inch circumference, by our team member Stewart Spies KB9LM. It also took a special consultation from one of our newer members, Ken Daniel K9YO who has been very successful in long haul flights.

So here we are again, near Yokohama, Japan flying a Yokohama Balloon.

One of the members of our Pico Balloon Community, Tom Medlin, W5KUB is also flying a Yokohama balloon, currently flying 114 days, you can follow Tom’s flight here W5KUB-112

We’re in a Jetstream that’s going to loop up around, I hope we can get back to an easterly direction. Below is the NOAA Hysplit Trajectory model for the next 48 hours.

It’ll take a little while to update APRS and Sondehub, the Ventusky Jetstream has been updated on our website Locate and Track

Till tomorrow, 73, Cary KD9ITO

September 5th 2022 Day three, KD9UQB MIA, Tracking AA6DY

/ Cary Willis, KD9ITO / 1 Comment

We still haven’t heard from KD9UQB and will call it Missing in Action. AA6DY woke at 11:12 UTC, 6:12 am CDT, is in a slow moving pattern over the North Atlantic Ocean traveling around 30 mph. We expect based on the NOAA Hysplit Trajectory that we’ll be heading east for another day and then start heading northeast towards Ireland. Our altitude has been between 13,910 and 13,960 meters close to 46,000 feet, we also appear to be following near Hurricane Danielle.

AA6DY at Grid GM08SK North Atlantic Ocean 13,910 meters
Hurricane Danielle 5 day cone probable course

September 3rd 2022 Launch, KD9UQB and AA6DY

/ Cary Willis, KD9ITO / Leave a comment

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.

  • The Icarus Device attached to the end of the 30 ft. pole
  • The 3D printed top of Pico Servo with lever
    The 3D printed top of Pico Servo with lever
  • The Icarus Device is a PCB switch and Pico Servo with a lever and timer to release the Balloon
    The Icarus Version 1.0 AA6DY/KD9RDT

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.

NOAA Hysplit Trajectory 14Km from Michigan for 84 hours

September 1st 2022, Artemis and NIBBB, what we have in common

/ Cary Willis, KD9ITO / Leave a comment

As we reported in our last post, we were ready to launch two balloons last Saturday, August 27th. After completing the Board and getting ready for launch, Michael started testing the tracker and discovered it wasn’t working properly. The night before, we discovered our tracker was only transmitting one packet. We need both packets sent two minutes apart to receive the 6 Grid Maidenhead location, altitude and other data. Not having all the data we needed for a successful launch, we decided to scrub the launch until we could find the trouble.

On our last post we had shown our 3rd party manufactured tracker minus a few chips. Because of the chip shortage, it’s necessary for us to add some our own sourced chips. After spending time looking at the software as a possible issue, we suspected the problem to be a hardware issue. One of the substituted chips was the MS5351 Clock Generator. On our previous trackers, we were using the Skyworks Si5351, however, due to supply chain issues, we ordered the MS5351, thinking it was a plug-in replacement for the Skyworks chip. We found that the MS5351’s didn’t always work. After finding a board that failed consistently, we removed the MS5351 and replaced it with an original Skyworks chip, we retested, and we’re now back in business. We now have two working trackers for our next launch. We also ordered the Skyworks Si5351A-B-GT chips from Digikey to make sure our future trackers will work properly.

We also discovered during this down period, that the two Yokohama balloons that were prepared for last Saturday, were found to be leaking a small amount of gas – about 1g of lift per day. We were planning on using these pre-stretched and filled with the proper free lift gas for this Saturday’s launch. I suppose it was pure luck to discover the balloons had a small leak which would have lead to a failed launch, if we hadn’t scrubbed the launch.

After we discovered these failed balloons, Michael AA6DY and Stewart KB9LM of our Technical team had conference calls with Ken Daniel K9YO and with Tom Medlin W5KUB on our different balloons. Ken has been successful flying the SAG balloons and Tom, the Yokohama’s. While Stewart was able to get the process of pre-stretching and sealing from Ken, Tom shared that the failure rate of a Yokohama balloon was about 70%. While we’re not sure if that’s a failure from launch or cutting short the journey, Tom’s flight 112 has just circumnavigated the world and is currently flying on day 82 with a Yokohama balloon over Canada heading to the north pole.

We have several groups working together to prepare for a launch. After the Balloons, Tracker, Solar Panels and Antenna package are prepared, the last step before launch is to look at the weather and the Jetstream. It is now up to our Meteorological committee to determine whether we are good to go, which we now have.

Our Meteorological committee of Kelsi Mulley KE9LSI (our new General) and her Dad Doug Mulley KD9TPM are providing daily weather reports leading up to the launch. NOAA (National Oceanic and Athmospheric Administration) provides all our models from balloon location for all weather and trajectory. NOAA gives us updates on Hurricanes and Cyclones which may impact our launch as well as a Hysplit trajectory, which shows our projection of travel from a given altitude and location. We start with our launch location and projected altitude and create a model showing the projected path over a 48 or 84 hour period. The NOAA Hysplit Trajectory model takes into account the weather, pressure, and Jetstream, and adjusts the altitude and direction. During the flight this committee will update the Hysplit models.

We are now planning our next launch on Saturday September 3rd 2022 at Willow Hill Golf Course, 1350 Willow Rd. in Northbrook, IL. We will be launching two balloons, KD9UQB for Jim Janiak, and AA6DY for Michael Seedman, and now with the Go Ahead from our committee, we will be meeting at 8:30 am Saturday September 3rd.

So, what do we have in common with Artemis? We research, prepare and test, up to and throughout our launch.

15th and 16th come to an end, May 5th 2022

/ Cary Willis, KD9ITO / Leave a comment

We launched AA6DY/4 and KK9H/2 last night at 7pm from Willow Hill Golf Course just North of Chicago Illinois, what a nice place. We never got a reading from AA6DY/4 though the launch looked beautiful.

We got our first reading this morning at 5:58 a.m. Central Daylight Time, 10:58 zulu. KK9H/2 woke up over Ft. Wayne Indiana, well that’s what the map says. I believe it actually woke up near Hershey, Pennsylvania and lost contact East of Ocean City Maryland at 10:18 a.m. 15:08 zulu. Flight 10 hours asleep and 5 hours awake. Total flight time 15 hours and 8 minutes. I’ll send this back to our Technical Team if it’s possible to go from Ft. Wayne Indiana to Hershey Pennsylvania in 2 minutes. First reading was at EN71mb at 10:58 zulu and FN10sg at 11:00 zulu.

Our Technical team had our max altitude at 26,000 feet and steadily losing altitude while awake. Guessing our Max Altitude during the first 10 hours of flight, that’s a tough one and another reason to launch early.

After losing several balloons in the trees leading up to yesterday’s launch, we were looking for anytime, day or evening where the weather would be favorable for a launch. Our best opportunity was 7 p.m. last night. Well, now that we got that evening launch out of our system, we’re going to try again for a morning launch, more data early on.

Looking at our arsenal of somewhere close to 100 balloons,; 36″ Chinese Round pancake, SAG, Yokohama and another 30″ Chinese made Sphere. We’ve had some nice flights with the 36″ Round, albeit, not at the desired altitude. We’re back to the testing phase. I’d like to launch one of each balloon at the same time, I’ll see if I can convince the group.

73, Cary KD9ITO

Next Launch May 4th 2022, Willow Hill Golf Course and Park, Northbrook Illinois

/ Cary Willis, KD9ITO / Leave a comment

Looking back at our previous launches with our first launch on September 25th 2021, which I refer to as our first learning experience. I used to call a flight successful if the balloon left the field, this was after all a big learning curve for everyone involved. It wasn’t until our 8th Launch, December 22nd 2021 that we were able to find a balloon that stayed up for more than a day. It was also our opportunity to switch from Helium to Hydrogen. So, new balloon and Hydrogen gas, equals 19 days and 10 days of flight time. This was our first awakening of the possibilities of world travel.

Though we conquered one issue, staying afloat for multiple days, we suffered from another issue, not being able to go above 28,000 feet. In our subsequent flights we were hoping to achieve the magic altitude of 40,000 feet. What 40,000 feet gets us is flight above the clouds, above the weather. The two ways to achieve that goal is a smaller package, bigger balloon or a combination of both.

The biggest obstacle we’ve had as of late is the weather for launch and the launch site. The location for our longest flight we actually hit 2 objects on different days. First there was a tree and luckily a recovery of the tracker. Ten days later with the same tracker we hit the backstop of a baseball diamond, recovery of the tracker and two hours after that, a new balloon, two more grams of free lift gave us a 19 day flight. Over the next two months and starting to name the trees, we moved to another location with a successful launch of a two balloon package, and flight from Highland Park, Illinois to the Alaska/Canada border in 10 days of flight reaching 28,000 feet.

Our long haul flights were achieved using the 36″ round pillow or pancake shaped balloon costing around $2 each from the Party World Store. This balloon was the same shape as our original Qualatex party balloon but had a better quality for longevity. One balloon got us to 24,000 feet, two balloons to 28,000 feet.

After following the successes of Tom Medlin, W5KUB who started using a 32″ Sphere Yokohama balloon. These balloons though smaller in diameter are completely round making for a higher volume to achieve the desired altitude of around 40,000 feet. You can follow Tom’s flight here https://ham-tv.com/balloon/

So now with our arsenal of balloons, 36″ clear Chinese, 32″ Yokohama Sphere and other 32″ Sphere’s we were ready to launch, though having one other small problem.

When we started naming the trees at our last location, we were on a treasure hunt for our ideal location, high above the trees. Willow Hill Golf Course was suggested by several members of our group, though it wasn’t until I went searching for our last tracker after the rain had subsided a bit, that I decided to head over to Willow Hill. It was a cold rainy day and a short drive from our last site. Willow Hill Golf Course sits 200 feet above street level with beautiful views of Chicago’s Skyline, miles away.

There I met Kari Knebelkamp who with her husband Kent own Willow Hill Golf Course and Park. I shared with Kari our Pico Balloon project and asked if we could launch at their site. Kari was very excited about our project the science of Pico Ballooning, and our work with youth. To see this beautiful Park, Golf Course and Concert venue please visit https://www.willowhillgolfcourse.com/

For those wanting to come by and cheer us on we’re looking at our next launch tomorrow May 4th 2022 at Willow Hill Golf Course and Park, 1350 Willow Rd Northbrook, IL 60062. Michael and I will be preparing the balloon and look for us meeting close to 6:30 p.m. Bring a camera, it’s a beautiful view.

I’ll post tomorrow with the launch information and pictures.

13th Flight: the Good, the Bad and the Better

/ Cary Willis, KD9ITO / 1 Comment

April 2nd, 2022: We learned a lot on this flight. First the bad news, we believe KK9H/2 has stopped reporting not having woken up this morning. We believe that our short flight has to do with the balloon, but we don’t believe it burst during the flight. We actually have a theory that the balloon was not adequately sealed at the valve. We knew that we were going to have difficulty once we received our balloon order. This balloon had a short neck and didn’t heat seal as our other balloons. Our Technical team decided to use Kapton tape which is used on the NASA shuttle to plug a hole in space. If it’s good enough for NASA… anyway, that’s what we tried. Below is a slideshow on the process of sealing

  • First off, as part of the fill valve is a painted white tab that prevented heat sealing
  • After we filled the Hydrogen we added glue to help seal the tube
  • We then placed a piece of Kapton tape at the end of the balloon with the valve in the middle
  • Folding the tape over the white tab
  • And finally checking the seal

There is a lot of practice needed to get the free lift just right. We want the balloon to have a nice steady ascent, but not meet any obstacles along the way. We started off with a package that weighed around 18 grams. When you think about it, 18 grams isn’t a lot of weight, if you’re mailing a first class #10 envelope through the US Mail. One ounce of weight or 28 grams for one stamp. But on a Pico Balloon, one ounce is a lot of weight. If we want to get our desired altitude to fly above the clouds and weather, we need either a lighter package or a bigger balloon or a combination of both. We got the bigger balloon. Now we need to figure out how much additional grams of gas we’ll need for a successful launch. More gas for free lift means less altitude at peak. So we started out with an additional 6 or so grams, I asked Michael to give us a little more. After our last 2 launches that landed in a tree, I was a little nervous and wanted just a little more gas. We went a little higher to just over 7 grams, added the tape to seal and weighed again. Is it possible the tape weighed almost a gram? Below is before and after sealing. it was a beautiful launch, we had some wind, but a nice steady ascent above the trees, Phew what a relief.

  • It actually took some time to get to 24.89 grams The little tape with a hole allows us to take the balloon on and off the scale and to add or take away gas
  • I asked for a little more, just a little more, and then just a little more, ok that should work 25.49 grams, at least it was a bigger balloon.
  • Checking the weight 18 grams for the package, plus tape and glue, plus free lift, total 24.4 grams

We had achieved successful flights with the 36″ Chinese made balloons, one having flown 19 days and the other 10 days making it almost around the globe. The balloon that went for 19 days was a single balloon getting an average altitude of 24,000 feet. We were heading for our “Around the World” tour when our balloon left the Jet Stream and toured the Marshall Islands for about 8 days. For the 10 day balloon flight we used 2-36″ balloons and reached an average altitude of 28,000 feet. We lost that balloon arriving back in North America and losing a signal around Canada. For that flight, we went farther and higher than we’ve ever gone before.

What we were hoping for was to find a balloon that would accept more volume and reach the 40,000 foot level. We were very close, reaching 35,000 feet, 3 hours into the flight. Since the balloon did not wake up the next morning, we were unable to find out if it did reach the higher altitude.

Where we are now:

We have 8 more Yokohama balloons, one more to test, how to make a good seal. Our Technical Team is suggesting to fill the balloon completely, sealing and placing the valve in water to check for bubbles. We’ll be able to weigh for total grams of lift after many days. It also has been recommended to have a flight with a battery on board in addition to solar panels. That way we can continue to get flight data at night. We’re not expecting to have batteries on all our flights, we just need good data at night, sending a signal once every few hours will give us many nights of data.

We also have on order for other Sphere balloons from different sources. We are after all, after the Science of Pico Ballooning. With every launch is a learning experience.

Watching and Waiting and Watching Some More

/ Cary Willis, KD9ITO / 1 Comment

It’s been a while since I’ve written about our project. While we’re waiting for the winds to subside. We’ve been busy ordering balloons, Michael has been busy building trackers and we’ve been watching one of our hero’s in the Pico Balloon community.

I’d like to introduce you to Tom Medlin, W5KUB, who is currently flying his 110th Pico Balloon. I understand Tom is famous for his Helmet Cam at Hamvention, and has been very successful at flying Pico Balloons.

One of the biggest obstacles we have found in our launches is the balloon. We were able to purchase what is known as a 36″ Chinese made balloon for around $2 each. Starting with our flight on December 22nd 2021, KD9ORR flew for 19 days on one Chinese balloon.

Though we conquered flight time, we were still hampered by altitude. KD9ORR with one balloon averaged around 24,000 feet. We next flew KR9T with 2 Chinese balloons and averaged 28,000 feet.

Now back to W5KUB. Tom Medlin acquired what he referred to as an experimental Yokohama 32″ Sphere balloon which flew for 22 days for twice around the globe. Tom is currently flying #110 with the Yokohama reaching an altitude of 41,000 feet. Though the 32″ balloon in smaller, it’s completely round holding more volume of gas compared to our 36″ round pillow shaped balloon.

Did I mention we we’re flush with balloons. We now have in stock around 70 Chinese made balloons and 9 Yokohama’s (we experimented on one of them to figure out how to seal it, we’ll talk about Kapton tape in another post). We’ll be looking to our next launch with a Yokohama balloon, hopefully soon, weather permitting.

And while we’re waiting, please visit Tom W5KUB and his current launch at https://ham-tv.com/balloon/

73, Cary KD9ITO