EOSS-250 and 251 Eclipse Practice Flight, COSCG - Recap

Tom Londrigan (KE7KCK)'s picture
Submitted by Tom Londrigan (... on Sun, 04/30/2017 - 11:54

Updated 5/20/17: Posted additional pictures to Prep and launch gallery.

EOSS-250 and 251 were launched from Guernsey, Wyoming and recovered northeast of Lusk, Wyoming.  EOSS would like to thank WA7SNU, AE7AF, KD7JNQ and all the local Wyoming hams for help in setting up communications to support this flight. 

EOSS-250 reached an altitude of 90,116 ft.  EOSS-251 reached an altitude of 91,990 ft. 

Mileage Reimbursement 

Video of the burst of EOSS-251         

Recap Gallery: 
Original Announcement: 

 This is a practice flight for the August 21, 2017 eclipse. The flight will be launched from Camp Guernsey WY and will be two 1500 gram balloons with Colorado Space Grant eclipse observation payloads. The total solar eclipse will be on August 21, 2017.Launch Time will be 10:45 am and 11 am, rather than the usual crack of dawn launch.Our launch site for this will be inside the north training area of Camp Guernsey.  We have obtained special permission to operate there, but please remember that this is a Wyoming National Guard training facility (i.e. military installation).   As a military installation there are additional rules, vehicles may be subject to search and inspection. Please treat any military personnel you may encounter with respect, we want to make a good impression on our hosts.  Since this is a restricted area, access should be coordinated through the EOSS Flight Coordinator.  (Contact info below)Camp Guernsey has allowed us to camp at the launch site.  Most of us will be in tents, but RV's are allowed.  No open or charcoal fires, but camp stoves up off the ground are permissible.  Any generators or fuel needs to have containment (steel or plastic tray underneath to catch spillage and fluids).  We will have Porta-Potties on site but no water, so you will need to bring your own.  Trash will need to contained within your vehicle since we have no provision at this time.  Please, no pets and any smokers dispose of the butts in your vehicle.  Camp Guernsey personnel will be inspecting the site before we leave. Please stick to the road once you are on Camp Guernsey property.  We have been cleared only for the use of the Connex Village and a couple of specific sites.  Other sites have the potential to be environmentally or culturally (archeological) sensitive. Flight predictions can be found here: https://1drv.ms/f/s!As-LIvu3ml48tibOUZsD39pOEzrWKB0TVJ has some consolidated links with weather information here: http://wxqa.com/eoss250.htmlAny questions should be directed to flight coordinator, KE7KCK: lawndragon (at) gmail.com

Event Date: 
Saturday, May 13, 2017 - 00:00
Flight Coordinator: 
Tom KE7KCK
Launch Site: 
Camp Guernsey WY
Grid: 
Guernsey 30,30 Test: N 42.250, W104.500 Answer: 41.2,29.0
Flights: 

EOSS-250

Balloon Type: 
1500g totex
Parachute: 
8.5 ft Chute with quick release and cutter
Beacons: 
FrequencyCallsignTypeNotes
145.6 MHzKE0BMV-11APRS/DF/Cutter
144.34 MHzAE0SS-12APRS/DigiSlotted at :15 and :45
Payload Plan: 
File EOSS-250 Payload_Plan_RevB.docx

EOSS-251

Balloon Type: 
1500g
Parachute: 
5.8ft with fast release
Beacons: 
FrequencyCallsignTypeNotes
145.75 MHzKC0D-12APRS/DF/Cutter
144.34 MHzAE0SS-13APRS/DigiSlotted at 0:00 and 0:30
Payload Plan: 
File EOSS-251 Payload_Plan_RevB.docx
FrequencyList: 

Preflight Net: 146.88MHz (100.0Hz tone) WA7SNU Wheatland, Wyoming repeater

Recovery Operations:

T&R Field Simplex

EOSS 250: 446.100

EOSS 251: 446.150

 
Car to Car 446.275
 
Backup 146.550
 
Note that using the WA7SNU repeater will result in lost APRS packets and coverage is spotty to nonexistent in potential landing areas

Launch Site Simplex: 446.050MHz

HF - Possible ops: 7.235 LSB

Tactical Calls: 
TacticalCall SignNameNotesTrackPoint 1.42 Xmit Time Slots
AlphaWAØGEH, KCØDMarty, MarkEOSS #250, Tracker Coordination4 minutes @ 12 seconds
BravoW9CN, KBØYRZ, NØJPSMike, Chris, JohnEOSS #250, Alpha Backup4 minutes @ 17 seconds
CharlieKCØRPS, WØNFWJim, GeorgeEOSS #250, Rover4 minutes @ 22 seconds
DeltaKØSCC, KEØBMVStephen, ParkerEOSS #251, Launch, Trackers4 minutes @ 27 seconds
EchoKE7KCK, KEØKPSTomEOSS #251, Flight Coordinator4 minutes @ 32 seconds
FoxtrotKDØSEM, KØLOBDave, JimEOSS #251, Launch, Tracker4 minutes @ 37 seconds
GolfNØNDMLarryEOSS #251, Launch, Tracker4 minutes @ 42 seconds
HotelNØIXDougEOSS #251, Launch, Tracker4 minutes @ 47 seconds
India
JulietKCØLJohnTexas Prediction Center
WhiskeyKDØNRYChrisEOSS #250, #251, CSGC
TR Breakfast: 
You will need to update your TrackPoint settings. Updated TrackPoint Reference Locations and Launch sites: (Thanks John, KCØL) Grid reference for the Ref_Locations.dat file (intersection of US-26 & WY-270) is: Guernsey, N,42,15.895,W,104,43.169 Trackers also need Launch Site entry in the Locations.dat file: Camp Guernsey,N,42,22.666,W,104,44.813,5123 This from the Flight Coordinator, Tom: Caravan to Guernsey For the caravan to Guernsey, we will rendezvous at the Park-and-Ride at Exit 240 of I-25 and Rt. 119 at 9:30 a.m. Google Maps link: Longmont Park and Ride. This will give us a goal of getting to Guernsey NLT 12:30 am in order to give us time to set up at the launch site. We will likely stop south of Cheyenne (exit 7, Valero and Loves) to top off with gas and bio break. We will be attempting to set up the local internet access point. We left there and drove to Guernsey with a brief stop for some snacks arriving at 10:15. The speed limit in Wyoming on I-25 north of Cheyenne is 80 mph. From Guernsey to the launch site is probably at most 30 minutes. We will be on 446.100 MHz simplex for caravan. This schedule is based on the FC getting checked into the site by Guernsey personnel. You are welcome to come up later if your schedule does not support, but you may need to check in with billeting prior to 4 pm. Be sure to bring your food and water as there is none of that at the camp site. Watch this space for more good news.