MM11 - 2018-09-16

Tracker Details

Tracker Type: APRS

Model: PicoTracker1Rev2

Powered by 2 AAA batteries


Configuration:

msBetweenTransmits = 3000 (3s, 0m, 0h)

lhAltFtThreshold = 10000

hAlt.wakeAndEvaluateMs = 200000 (200s, 3m, 0h)

lAlt.wakeAndEvaluateMs = 35000 (35s, 0m, 0h)

lAlt.stickyMs = 14400000 (14400s, 240m, 4h)

dz.wakeAndEvaluateMs = 7200000 (7200s, 120m, 2h)


Launch Parameters

Balloon and Payload

  • One 36" Qualatex balloon
  • 29.0 gram payload
  • 1.84 grams free lift

Actuals

  • Top Altitude - 20,397 ft
  • Duration - 55 hours, 28 minutes
  • Distance - 798 miles following path
  • Cause of death - Floated out to sea

General Thoughts / Observations

With an easy launch, the balloon rose steadily and reached float in 4 hours. It went north through Florida, briefly floated over Georgia, then headed off shore. It floated northeast, paralleling the east coast along side Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. It stayed about 25 to 35 miles off coast until turning more eastward and heading out to sea.

This flight was a good demonstration of night and day floats. There were two occasions of erroneous GPS data which caused the AVR to think it was in a dead zone and pause for two hours.

Thoughts for next time

Consider revising the configuration for a reduced dead zone pause. Battery life has not become an issue so there is no reason to sacrifice data over it.