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<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2>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.
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<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2>An airplane seems like overkill. Just speculation as I
do not know the situation the OP was facing.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
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<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2>HTH</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2></FONT></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2>Vic</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT
size=2>________________________________________________________</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2>Victor Fraenckel - The
Windman <BR>victorf ATSIGN
windreader DOT
com<BR>KC2GUI
</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
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