It all began when Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) educator Joanne Michael, KM6BWB — a science coach at the Wiseburn Unified School District in Los Angeles — challenged another ARISS partner group to a mid-altitude, cross-continent balloon race. Michael has led her students in several balloon launch attempts from the Los Angeles area each year.
Given the disruption caused to schools by the COVID-19 pandemic, Michael wanted to shake things up a bit and give students worldwide a unique distance-learning treat that could safely be accomplished during the pandemic. She challenged Ted Tagami, KK6UUQ, from ARISS partner Magnitude.io to a mid-altitude cross-continent balloon race, and Tagami accepted the challenge. Tagami plans to launch his balloon from Oakland, California. ARISS partner ISS Above inventor Liam Kennedy, KN6EQU, of Pasadena, California, got wind of the idea and asked to participate too.
ARISS, Magnitude.io, and ISS Above are ISS National Lab Space Station Explorer (SSE) partners that work to inspire, engage, and educate students in science technology engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) topics and to pursue careers in those fields.
The story caught fire on social media, inspiring one teacher to figure out how to initiate a launch from her school. “Let’s get planning and get your thoughts and ideas and let’s make this happen for the students,” she said in a post.
Once the balloons are airborne, students can track each balloon’s location, altitude, and temperature, which are fed automatically via the Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS).
“Educators and parents around the globe can excite at-home youth with this initiative,” ARISS said in announcing the challenge. “Students can tally and track the states each balloon travels through and plot altitude versus temperature [and other parameters). Also, by researching weather patterns, students can make assumptions from their own data. This could include speed variations due to weather. They also can predict each balloon’s flight path and when they might cross the finish line.”
For more information on the balloon launch, lesson plans, and the livestream video link visit the ARISS Mid-Altitude Balloon Race page.
The K7RA Solar Update
Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: We saw one day during the February 25 – March 3 reporting week — Monday, March 1 — with no sunspots, so the average... Read more
New Firmware Icom Updates for the IC-705, IC-7300, IC-9700 to include Smoother FT8 Mode Operation
Icom will be releasing new firmware for our IC-705, IC-7300 and IC-9700 transceivers. The updates are planned to improve the user experience and incor... Read more
Quantum Receiver Can Detect Huge Swath of the RF Spectrum
US Army researchers have built a so-called “quantum sensor,” which can analyze the full RF spectrum and real-world signals, a report on Physics.org sa... Read more
Location, maps and awards
I talk about the various location standards are used in amateur radio. I show several maps and awards. Read more
Approaches to Tackle Noise Problems Vary, Remedies Elusive
RF noise is a frequent discussion topic among radio amateurs. A proliferation of electronics has cluttered and complicated the noise environment; it’s... Read more
ARISS, NASA, and ESA Continue to Probe Amateur Radio Problems on ISS
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) International Chair Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, reports that the ARISS team has been working closely... Read more
Yaesu FT-DX10 HF Transceiver – Is it Right for You?
We take a look at one of the most recent HF transceivers to come onto the ham radio market. Could this be the new FT-101E that was one of the best sel... Read more
What is the Base Holding Up My Hexbeam?
William Noble asks about the base used to hold up my MFJ-1846 Hex Beam antenna. The actual base that allows for a fold-over mast was designed by frien... Read more
Warrantless Search Of Ham Radio Operators? No Fourth Amendment Rights?
Responding to comments and recent videos here on Youtube. Is there a big threat to amatuer radio operators fourth amendment rights? Are we opening out... Read more
ARISS APRS Testing
ARISS APRS TestingThe ARISS team has been working very closely with NASA and ESA to identify potential ARISS radio anomaly causes and resolve the radi... Read more