[FARReps] ANNOUNCEMENT Balloon Launch POSTPONED for Strasburg Va. Vienna Wireless Soc

[w3qx at qsl.net]

[Repeating Date: Fri, 8 Feb 2008 20:54:52 -0500]





[wide distribution]


[Maintain contact with ko1d for any further changes --WH]


UPDATE OF "BALLOON LAUNCH ANNOUNCEMENT: VWS-6"

[8 FEB 2008...] Due to unfavorable launch conditions the launch has 
been delayed 1 week to 16 February 2007. This will be attempted at 
the same launch time and at the same primary launch location in 
Strasburg, VA.

Will advise as more information becomes available.

Dan Sullivan
KO1D
Falls Church, VA



BALLOON LAUNCH ANNOUNCEMENT: VWS-6


[7 Feb 2008...]  Vienna Wireless Society of Vienna, Virginia 
(http://www.viennawireless.org ) is intending to launch VWS-6, an 
amateur radio balloon flight, this Saturday around 10:00 am EST from 
Strasburg, VA.

The flight will carry 2 APRS beacons and will have a science 
experiment payload for the Near Space Explorer (NSE) after school 
club of the Algonquin Elementary School near Sterling, VA.( 
http://nearspace.dyndns.org:8080/ )

At this time the projected trajectory has the flight terminating 
around the MD/PA border area.  This may change over the next few days 
based on winds aloft and final changes in launch locations.  For more 
up to date information consult: 
http://www.viennawireless.org/balloon/vws-6/models.html

VWS-6 will have 2 active beacons aboard using APRS.  One will be a 
300mw Byonics Microtracker that will becaon at about 300MW as 
K4HTA-11. The other will be a BigRedBee 433.92 MHz tracker that will 
becaon at about 16mw as K4XY-11. It is indended the 2m beacon should 
be able to be see via FINDU.COM searching on K4HTA-11 once the flight 
is initiated.

Voice coordination over the flight will be on the NERA repeater 
network (http://www.qsl.net/nera) and, as needed, the NVFMA repeater 
network (http://www.nvfma.org).  Special thanks go to both clubs for 
their continuing support of the program.

The NSE science payload will consist of plant seeds which will be 
contained outside the payload, in a warm and insulated part of the 
package and in a less warm, but internal area of the package. 
Students will see how temperature, ultraviolet light, and other 
factors of high altitude flight impact seed growth.

A final decision on the launch based on weather, winds aloft and 
technical factors will be made on Friday, 8 February 2008. If the 
flight is delayed due to any reason the fall back date will be the 
following Saturday, 16 February 2008 at the same time.

Strasburg, VA will also be used as the primary launch location for 
this date unless winds aloft dictate otherwise.  For more information 
on the flight consult the web links above or email Dan Sullivan, KO1D 
djs13 AT hotmail DOT com for more information.

Dan Sullivan
KO1D
Falls Church, VA

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