All ready to go

So far everything looks good weather-wise.

The only unknown that could be a problem is the projected trajectory of the flight, we won't have an updated version of that until the morning.

I'll update info via twitter: http://twitter.com/linuxv

Realtime tracking can be seen here: http://aprs.fi/?call=kc9pum-11

Hoping to reach in excess of 100,000 feet and have High Def video during the entire flight, we also have a temperature monitor on board that will record both the temperature inside and outside the capsule every 5 seconds.

More arduino/aprs goodness

Worked on sending out a message from the arduino, it was transmitting but I was just receiving silence on the other side. I eventually figured out I had the ptt and mic lines soldered in the wrong place. After re doing that and increasing the mic gain it worked! I was able to send a aprs message to my other radio.

Next step is to be running xastir on the laptop and see if I can read messages as they come in and then send out a message back to the arduino to have it turn on a light or something.

APRS on the Arduino

I was able to receive aprs packets via my arduino!

I built a connector from the new VX-3 radio to the arduino radio shield. Then through some trial and error I was able to receive aprs packets as plain text on the arduino. Took me a while to figure out the necessary settings on the radio (turn off power save, and set the volume to '15' basically). This will allow me to send short text messages to the handheld radio (which will be located in a future balloon). Once I have the aprs formatting down I can also send out messages from the arduino as well. This will allow me to have basic two way communication to the balloon over a long distance.

Radio Test

Did a couple of simple gps/radio tests today. I was able to track the gps module (buzz) successfully. Logged a kml & tnc.log file ok.

Also received my Yaesu VX-3R HT radio today. I still need an offset attenuator to make it an ideal for finding a beacon. However I plan on using it with my recently purchased arduino radio shield to see if I can send and receive ax.25 packets.

T minus 5 days

Helium tank is reserved for pickup on Friday.

So far the weather looks pretty good for Saturday, or Sunday if need be.

The early flight path predictions put it headed straight east and landing near the boarder of Indiana. Only downside to that flightpath is that it looks like its hitting a jet stream and it might be difficult to stay under it in the chase car.

Cool potential 2way communication with Balloon

I just found a cool radio shield for the arduio

I already ordered it, and it should be here next week. Too soon to incorporate into this launch but perhaps the next one.

This should allow me to easily have 2-way communication to the balloon while in flight via the AX.25 protocol. Basically 'emails' back and forth. This way the ballon can send down data, such as temperature and other goodies. While I could command it to do things - i.e. cut away ballon etc....

Very cool - I'm eager to get it in.

Testing...

I double checked the programming of the RDF beacon and charged its battery. Its all ready to go.

I also made sure xastir was working with my radio, could receive aprs signals and display on the laptop. Also made sure it would display the cars position on the map. Xastir is supposed to be able to read the current position from the link to the radio which has a gps plugged into it, however I could not get that working (just like last time). So I have to have an additional gps plugged directly into the computer. Its no big deal just a slight annoyance as there are two things plugged in as opposed to one.