In the world of Ham Radio, the Q-Code QRP stands for operating at low power. In a radio hobby where US hams are legally allowed up to 1500 watts of power, typical HF transceivers run 100 watts, and QRP is defined by operating at 5 watts or less (Some say 10 watts), our FS3 transmitter clocks […]
A Quick Users Guide to the Flying Squirrel #3 High Altitude Balloon Project. The mission of the Flying Squirrels is to promote STEM (Science Technology, Engineering & Math) skills in a fun project environment. All persons interested in Flying Squirrels are welcome to participate in the project. Our third balloon, Flying Squirrel #3 is ready […]
Flying Squirrel #3 will send telemetry data according to the schedule below. On most odd minutes of the hour, telemetry will be sent via the FSQ protocol on the 20 meter frequency of 14.097.000 Mhz. FS3 Telemetry Schedule (PDF) In order to decode this telemetry data, you will need a receiver that can tune to the […]
Announcing Flying Squirrel #3
The Flying Squirrel #3 Project – FS3 High Altitude Balloon The Flying Squirrels have been restless to take flight again, now that the weather in the Mojave Desert launch locations have returned to non-inferno level temperatures. Our next intrepid explorer, FS3, is working towards a November launch. Exact launch date is still TBD. The date […]
In addition to the detailed locations provided by the FSQ telemetry, Flying Squirrel #2 also sent WSPR messages 4 times an hour. WSPR is a very weak signal digital mode, often decoding signals below the noise (i.e. you can’t even hear the signal with your ears). The WSPR mode sends a position as Maidenhead Gris […]
Updated Schedule 5/11/2018 This is the final FS2 Telemetry schedule. The columns labeled “Min” is the minutes into the hour (i.e. 0 = top of the hour) that the scheduled event should happen. The schedule repeats after 30 minutes. Launch is tentatively targeted for some time in May 2018. Stay tuned. Click this link for […]
Our studious squirrel spent another night hanging out in the yard for final testing. The FS2 hardware is complete and this is the first “On the Air” outside using the 20m dipole antenna. FS2 is hanging from a flag pole with the “balloon” end of the antenna suspended about 25 feet in the air. The […]
[This schedule is out of date. The new schedule is located at : ] This is the final FS2 Telemetry schedule. The columns labeled “Min” is the minutes into the hour (i.e. 0 = top of the hour) that the scheduled event should happen. The schedule repeats after 30 minutes. Launch is tentatively targeted for […]
High altitude balloons are expected to drift, in the atmosphere. But Flying Squirrel #2 (FS2) has had some drifting problems of another kind. During construction as the FS2 flight electronics went from a breadboard prototype to final construction, a problem emerged. FS2 was not WSPRing clearly. In fact, it seemed to be more of a […]
Introducing our next intrepid sky traveler. The burning question of the Flying Squirrel #1 mission is “Where did it go?” and ultimately, “Where/when did it land?” So far the final resting place of FS1 has not been reported by anyone on the ground. It could be lost in the mountains and deserts of South […]