[MOham] Fw: [KNSP] NSTAR tracking assistance needed

[Ray Brown]

  QST... QST... QST...

----- Original Message -----
From: <n9xtn@cox.net>


> About 20 minutes ago, we launched NSTAR 03-B with call N9XTN-11 on 144.34 MHz and a backup beacon on 144.39 MHz with call
N9XTN-12.  Our ascent rate is only about 200 ft/min, about 4-5x less than expected.
>
> We are concerned the flight will go much farther than expected.  Our original prediction was on a bearing of about 110-120
from Treynor IA (15 mi E of Omaha).  I believe it will continue on that bearing, but perhaps go >200 miles downrange.  The
balloon will burst about 65,000 ft, but there is not a cutdown device on this payload.
>
> The primary battery should be good for about 8 hrs, the backup beacon about 16 hrs.
>
> Any help with logging or chasing is appreciated.  I don't have maps in front of me now, but I would expect the landing in
southeast Iowa or northeast Missouri.
>
> My cell phone # is 402-201-4422.
>
> 73 de Mark N9XTN
>