High Altitude Balloon

  • SUFO-2 Flight Recap

    SUFO-2 Flight Recap

    SUFO-2 successfully completed its flight to near space and back on 9/14/2013 and broke my goal altitude of 100,000 ft.  Here’s a…

  • SUFO-2 Launch Tomorrow

    SUFO-2 Launch Tomorrow

    The second SUFO flight will occur tomorrow, September 14th, around 10am CDT.  Final preparations are being made tonight for the morning launch. …

  • SUFO-2 Preparations

    SUFO-2 Preparations

    It’s about time for the second launch of the SUFO capsule.  I have dusted off the original capsule, electronics, and tracking equipment. …

  • SUFO-1 Flight Recap

    SUFO-1 Flight Recap

    SUFO-1 successfully completed its flight to near space and back on 8/20/2011.  A lot of work went into this flight and I’m…

  • Launch Day Tomorrow

    Launch Day Tomorrow

    My first high altitude balloon will launch tomorrow, August 20th, at 9am CDT.  Final preparations are being made tonight for the morning…

  • Successful Tracking Test

    Successful Tracking Test

    I took the high altitude balloon tracking system out for a test drive in my truck.  The intent was to test everything,…

  • Fear and Loathing in EPROMs

    Fear and Loathing in EPROMs

    In a previous post I mentioned how I used an ancient Kantronics KPC-3 terminal node controller in my high altitude balloon project. …

  • HAB Tracking Equipment

    HAB Tracking Equipment

    The tracking equipment for a high altitude balloon using the amateur radio frequencies is fairly straightforward.  Most of the equipment can be…

  • Helium Tank Hose

    Helium Tank Hose

    A critical part of launching a high altitude balloon is obviously getting the helium out of the tank and into the balloon.  It…

  • Ham License

    Ham License

    I just received my official amateur radio license in the mail from the FCC.  I took the Technician Class license exam on…

  • Hacking a Digital Camera

    Hacking a Digital Camera

    I originally heard about hacking Canon digital cameras before I even knew what a high altitude balloon was.  So when I started…

  • HAB Hardware Modules

    HAB Hardware Modules

    The electronic components on my high altitude balloon work together to gather, store and transmit various types of data from several sources.  Some of…