Announcement of EOSS-101

LAUNCH DATE: 25-Feb-2006
LAUNCH TIME: unknown

The skies over the launch site are currently overcast (~15:00 UTC 25-Feb-06). We need a 50% or less cloud cover spec before we can launch. Forecasts indicate that the skies should clear by 18:00 UTC, possibly as early as 17:00 UTC. Once the skies permit, the launch will commence.

LAUNCH SITE: Windsor, CO (Driving Directions)

EOSS Frequencies:

Frequency assignments final (2/24/06 20:38 MST)

Global Frequencies

• Preflight Net:
  • 147.225 MHz 107.2 Hz tone
  • 8:00 PM Night before flight
• Tracking and Recovery Operations
  • 449.450 MHz RMRL Repeater (103.5 Hz Tone)
  • 146.550 MHz simplex (for both field ops and the launch site)
  • Repeater Coverage Pages - Listings of all repeaters available in the expected flight areas.
  • 7.228 MHz + QRM HF (sporadic usage)

Balloon Frequencies

• Beacon
  • 147.555 MHz
    • ID: AEØSS in CW
    • Tracking Tone then CW ID
• APRS
  • 144.340 MHz (Payload Train)
    • ID: AEØSS-11
    • DIGI: EOSS
    • Node: BALNOD
    • APRS Time Slotted to 0:00 every minute
    • Telemetry Every 2 minutes at 0:00
    • Sample Data
  • 145.600 MHz
    • ID: KC0YA-11
    • DIGI: EOSS
    • Node: BALNOD
    • APRS Time Slotted to 0:00 and 0:30 every 30 seconds
    • Telemetry every 10 seconds at #:##
  • 445.975 MHz (cancelled)
    • iGates are asked to move their coverage to the other two meter APRS systems for additional redundancy
    • ID: K0ANI-13
• ATV
  • 426.250 MHz
    • ID:AE0SS

Experimental Systems

This will be the inaugural flight for several systems.

KC0YA-11 will be an APRS system built by Steve Osborne that has some similarity to the AE0SS-11 system . A KPC3+ running as the payload controller transmitting APRS, some telemetry and acting as a digi, beacon, node and mailbox. Steve has also added some additional capabilities, most notably, a controller which will sense a failure of the KPC3 and set the system to beacon in a more pure DF mode until the KPC3's GPS/APRS capabilities come back on line. In future flights once it has been qualified this system will probably be carry the AE0SS callsign designation.

K0ANI-13 will be a very lightweight APRS system built by Larry Cerney. It should weigh in at around 10 or so ounces.

K0SCC's wireless relay system to eliminate the wire run from a payload up the flight line to the cutter above the parachute.

Mechanical Load Sensing Release - Mike Manes has designed a release mechanism that will release the balloon shards immediately upon sensing the cessation of lift. This system is armed via a command sent via radio. So, the system will not release until it has been set thus averting problems in the bumpy initial take off regime.

Flight Systems:

Payload Configuration:

• Payload_Plan_101c.PDF

Internet Gateway Stations:

Future I-Gaters:

Check out the EOSS I-Gate page for information on how to participate and why we need you.

Current I-Gate Station:

Guys, the prediction program used to determine the track of the balloon prior to flight can now output a prediction for the Rise, Closest Approach, and Set of the balloon for each of your stations. I have posted a prediction page for stations that I have been able to discover geographic coordinates. See the I-Gate prediction page for an example. The page will not be updated daily, however, it will be updated the evening prior to flight for I-gate planning purposes.

I have often been asked by iGaters when they should expect to either start receiving signals (AOS) or expect to see those signals disappear (LOS). This prediction page should answer all those questions for you.

Tracking and Recovery Info:

Tactical Callsigns

Tactical	Callsign	Name	Notes
Alpha	N0NDM-7, W6AUN	Larry and  Perry	Tracking and Recovery Coordinator
Bravo	WA0GEH-9, N0AUS	Marty and Al
Charlie	KB0YRZ-11	Chris
Delta	N0MPM, WG0E	Mike and Colin
Echo	KC0RPS-2, W0NFW	Jim and George
Foxtrot	K0AEM-7, KI4GYZ	Richard and Art	Saturday only
Golf	AC7FY-2	Clinton	Saturday only

 

Grid

Location	X	Y
Last Chance	35	30
Wiggins	10	64
Cope	74.5	26
Akron	55	59

Notes:

Our Customer

Edge of Space Sciences - We usually fly once during the winter months to have fun, remember lost skills, test new equipment and well for any other excuse we can dig up.

note: customers are welcome to submit detailed synopses of their flights or web links to their own web sites.

Radio Coverage:

Map made with Radio Mobile Deluxe

This is the approximate coverage for a flight launched from Windsor, Colorado once it reaches 95,000 feet ASL. Red marks a signal below .25 uV

CLICK HERE for a general discussion on radio procedures during the ascent and descent phases of a balloon flight.