[ILHam] Thanks to all, Space Jam 3 was a big Success, Balloon repeater

[Brian Walker]

Thanks to all that worked the Space Jam-3 Balloon Saturday...

The Cross band repeater was in almost continuous use throughout the
high altitude portion of the ascent. Contacts covered great distances
with one earth balloon earth contact going between Walbridge OH and
Mexico MO (470+ miles).  The balloon made it to 99,300 and burst (we
planned to float it, but it just kept going up and up).

We didn't get the ATV to work (we will do it next year at Space Jam 4,
Aug 7-9th 2010).


A special thanks to the Vermilion County Amateur Radio Association,
Dave Cline KB9ZMF (and David KC9HZN) lead the charge! Josh Kittle,
N9WEW and Jim Kiser, KB9AZA ran the Radio Merit Badge.  Dave said he
thought he had 200 Scouts on the radio Saturday!  And DePauw
University's Howard Brooks KC9QBN.

Space Jam is about Scouts getting into technology!!!  Hope you caught
our ARISS contact Sunday (10:55 CDT), with Robert Thirsk VA3CSA  (just
after BSA!), thanks to Charlie Sufana for help and putting the Audio
of the contact on the Kankakee Area RS Hamfest in Peotone IL's event
PA system!

Brian Walker
K9BWK
WB9SA trustee
Space Jam Technologist