PS-44 PICO balloon HF payload WSPR JT9

[VK3YT]

Hi all,

FYI,

PS-44 is in the air.

Solar powered party balloon, 25mW TX
TX WSPR, JT9 on 30m and 20m

Dial frequency 10.138700Mhz and 14.095600Mhz (standard WSPR dial frequencies) for WSPR, JT9.
JT9 is at 1800Hz

See HF decoding info at http://picospace.net/?cat=34

Tracking as PS-44 on SNUS http://picospace.net/tracker/new
WSPR call sign is VK3YT http://wsprnet.org/olddb?findcall=vk3yt

TX scheduling (thanks Bob!)
Minute - Band - Mode - Condition
:00 - 30m - 2 mins WSPR then two x 1 min JT9 - mandatory
:10 - 20m - 2 mins WSPR then two x 1 min JT9 - if batt full
:20 - 30m - 2 mins WSPR then two x 1 min JT9 - if batt full
:30 - 20m - 2 mins WSPR then two x 1 min JT9 - mandatory
:40 - 30m - 2 mins WSPR then two x 1 min JT9 - if batt full
:50 - 20m - 2 mins WSPR then two x 1 min JT9 - if batt full

Prediction:


Regards,
Andy

[VK5RM]

Thanks Andy will have a look for it
Should be good for the South Australians

Phil VK5RM

[VK2XTC]

At last , my first decode.. It's taken me weeks to get this far, order kit from the US, making antennas

Very happy.

Brian

VK2XTC QF56

[VK3KCX]

Good work Brian, are you attempting to decode the JT9 also?

- David - VK3KCX

[VK2XTC]

David,

Yes but as you can see from the receive strength on the WSPR its down at the limit of my equipment. (-31dB)

Got part of a trace of JT9 on the half hour but it was probably the antenna rotating in the wind. It didn't decode.

Have chased it down to 10Mhz also but get better signal on 20M currently.

What a great way to spend a Sunday Morning ... !!



Brian

[VK3DXE]

Hi Andy,

Thanks again for the new balloon. The kids were excited that it flew almost right over us on ascent this morning.

Any reason for the 1800Hz telemetry this time? I know there's a setting to get WSJT-x to decode it up that far(??), but its a little early on a Sunday for my brain yet. I'm getting multiple decodes from soundcard artefacts at the moment as it so strong, but will see if I have it configured correctly once it moves away a little and becomes weaker.

...And great work Brian. Just keep at it and you'll get there in time. Try 30m a little later on, as that band tends to favour the relatively shorter distance during the day.

[VK2XTC]

Does anyone know about the balloon launched from VK2 this morning.

It seems to be moving.

Cannot find any information


Brian

[VK3YT]

Looking good guys, and thanks for tracking!

1800Hz is used to assist our Europe friends to avoid their busy 1000-1200Hz segment.
WSJT-X should just decode without any changes.

Brian, did you select "Upload" on WSPR-X? looks like your spots are not uploaded.

Regards,
Andy

[VK2XTC]

Andy,

Based on the screen shot attached ,, sorry no, it was turned off.

I run both WSPR-X and WSJT-X at the same time to the one radio so don't always turn it on.

(or forget to) which was the case here.

But I am thrilled at getting a decode at -31dB , that's properly the weakest signal for me so far...



Brian

[VK2XTC]

Andy,

I turned it on later and it updated the database.

Database shows the following.

2015-05-16 23:50 VK3YT 14.097192 -31 0 QF21 +10 0.010 VK2XTC QF56oe 767 477


Brian

[VK3YT]

Hi all,

Unfortunately PS-44 developed a slow leak during the day, and just descended into Bass Strait at 7:30pm AEST.

It was a short trip, hope it was a bit of fun on a Sunday!

Welcome to Brian for first time tracking a PS balloon!

Thanks for tracking, and see you at the next flight.

Andy

[VK5EI]

Thanks Andy, enjoyed tracking PS-44 today. Managed to check how it was progressing in between all the domestic duties that must be done

Well done