We use a program called WSPR (pronounced Whisper) written by Joe Taylor, K1JT. WSPR is a acronym for Weak Signal Propogation Reporter and is used by Amateur Radio operators as a means to test their radios and antennas. Amateur Radio Operators can see on the WSPRnet program how far their signals can reach either by sending or receiving their callsigns.
The data packets that are sent by our balloon trackers are reported by the receiving station. Without their reports, we are unable to track our locations. These reporting stations are unaware that we’re a Pico Balloon unless we send them an email thanking them for receiving our signal report. Some of these reporting stations have become NIBBB followers, receiving emails when our posts are published and in turn help us to track our balloons.
We track our balloons using primarily the WSPR Spot Database You can follow our balloons in flight as well as all Pico Balloons on our Locate and Track page.
Once we know the altitude and location, we can track our projected path accurately over an 84 hour period using NOAA.gov for tracking balloons NOAA Hysplit Model. We can also see the projected speed and direction of the jetstream, and weather patterns using Ventusky
Code of Federal Regulations 14 CFR Part 101
This is the section of the Code of Federal Regulations that allows us to fly Amateur Radio Pico Balloons 14 CFR Part 101.
Finding the Right Balloons, and the Right Gas
All of our balloons are advertised as a party balloon, so if you’re planning a wedding these will work nicely as a dual purpose balloon.
Before we get too far into what works and what hasn’t. I’d like to recognize the Pico Balloon io group where we receive support on anything you want to know about our hobby, I recommend joining https://groups.io/g/picoballoon
To get to that magic altitude of 43,000 feet, we needed a round also known as a sphere balloon. We became aware of two different manufactured 32″ sphere’s and bought them both.
The 32″ Orbs clear Pico Balloon is manufactured by SAG, available at Balloons Online for around $13, plus shipping. Balloons Online 32″ Orbs clear
As of January of 2025, The Yokohama balloon is $125 for 10, in addition they charge $100 for freight from Japan Yokohama 32″ Transparent Sphere with valve Yokohama has a clear valve balloon and clear valveless balloon we’ve flown both. The valveless Yokohama balloon is $120 for 10 plus freight. We last flew Pico Balloon KD9WVO with a valveless Yokohma, for 131 days, a new record for us.
The key to all of these balloons is they perform better if they’re pre-strectched. This link is from our group session on how to pre-stretch a balloon with, The Stretchinator
Information on the steps and video on how to pre-stretch a balloon can be found here Everything about Flying a Pico Balloon by K9YO
Ken Daniel, K9YO, a member of the NIBBB, one of our key advisors and the reason for our success. Pico Balloon K9YO-15 had recently flew for 123 days, preparing for the 8th time around the world before we lost track of his balloon flying over Canada. Ken uses the Silver SAG Balloon (32″ Orbs Silver) and Helium Gas for his flights. His YouTube Video on stretching balloons is found here Stretching and Filling Balloons
We found that our balloons will lose about 1/2 gram of gas overnight for each day before launch, so it’s critcal on the proper gas fill, and not to delay the launch.
Both the SAG and the Yokohama balloons are bargains for what we’re able to acheive.
We started using Helium gas in the beginning of our program and found the gas to be reliable but very expensive. After fying with Hydrogen for a short while, we decided to go back to Helium, which is safer to store. As of April 2024, it costs about $100 to refill a 50 CuFt Helium tank, which is good for about 20 launches, or fewer, if we mix it up with some birthday parties.
Pico Balloon Trackers
We use our own Pico Balloon Tracker designed and tested with some of our partners. Our 2nd version tracker weighs approximately 1.4 grams. We are in the process of designing and building our 3rd version tracker.
For those interested in getting into our hobby you can visit Ken Daniel’s site Pico Balloons by K9YO for commercially available trackers.
The NIBBB had used both the Zachtek and QRP Labs trackers with much success.
Zachtek sells a Pico Tracker complete with solar panels for around $100 with two versions of tracker packages, and offers discounts for multi-pack orders WSPR-TX Pico Transmitter and WSPR-TX Pico Transmitter with large solar cells
QRP Labs sells their Pico Tracker for under $60 but you have to add your own solar panels. Luckily here at the NIBBB, we teach you how to build solar panel packages Standard Solar Array and Low Sun Angle – High Power. The QRP Labs U4B is about the same size and weight as our tracker and uses their own software for tracking balloons on their site.
The newest tracker available for purchase and build is from Doug Malnati, KD2KDD, which he calls “Traquito”
We had followed Doug and his Dad Mark closely when we first started our project Pico Balloons by Doug and Mark. Mark then made a balloon tracker and solar panel package available for the masses with simple designs to build and launch inexpensively. We’re going to share several links from Mark’s website, please start here at his home page Traquito WSPR Balloons
Mark goes on to explain the use of his Traquito Jetpack WSPR Tracker combined with a Raspberry Pi Pico
Mark then completes his package with the Solar System using the Polycystalline solar panels sold separately.
We need to congratulate Mark Malnati and thank him for making his Traquito tracking system avaialble to everyone at cost. You would order directly from the manufacturer and build it yourself. Ordering from JLCPCB
Mark is available on the Pico Balloon io group which you can join here https://groups.io/g/picoballoon
Antenna and Fishing Line
Now that you have your tracker, balloon and solar panels figured out, you now need your antenna and a way to attach the package to the balloon. Ken Daniel, K9YO has created a YouTube video on how to build the antenna and for that, click here Launching, What else do I need?
Antennas, Storage, Transport and Rigging
We use 36 gauge magnet wire for our antennas and 30 gauge magnet wire for the rigging. If we use the Polycrystalline Solar Panel package, we use a 4 lb. fishing line to connect the balloon to the package. The High Power, Low Sun Angle solar panel package weighs about 20 grams and uses a 20 lb fishing line.
The Code of Federal Regulations relating to Pico Balloons require a impact force of less than 50 lbs to separate the balloon from the suspended payload.
Below is the Assembly Detail of our package for a tracker transmitting on 14.097 Mhz on the 20 Meter Band.
Our package of tracker, polycystalline solar panels and dipole antenna weigh 9.2 grams, we add about 8 grams of additional gas before sealing the balloon.
Below is pictured our tracker, 7 panel polycrystalline solar panel package and antenna package transported to the launch site on September 3rd 2022, for Pico Balloon AA6DY.
Below is our Low Sun Angle – High Power Solar Panel and Tracker used for Pico Balloon KD9UQB, launched from Neumayer Station III, Antartica, November 24th 2022.
Information on building the low sun angle high power solar panel package