[aprssig] Airborne APRS

[Vic Fraenckel]

Just returned from ABQ where we participated on the long distance (1000mi+) manned gas balloon race. Each of the 24 balloons carried a APRS tracker. We, in the chase crew, tracked all of the balloons with using my D700 and APRSPoint software. The balloon track was NE thru NM, across the TX and OK panhandles, NE thru KS, NE and IA into MN. We lost contact with balloons in the plains states on occasion because of a dirth of Digis, but for the most part were able to see most of them most of the time. Our balloon landed near St. Cloud, MN and we were able to track it to its landing site with no problem as we were within 20 miles it for the last 4-5 hours.  All trackers were using jpole type antennas dangling from their baskets and most balloons flew well above 2-3000 feet all of the time and mostly above 9000 feet. 

An airplane seems like overkill. Just speculation as I do not know the situation the OP was facing.

HTH

Vic
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Victor Fraenckel - The Windman         
victorf ATSIGN windreader DOT com
KC2GUI                                                  
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