Launch Time: 16:45z
Location: Lincoln, NE
Max. Altitude: 92,710 ft
Max. Speed: 65 mph
Avg. Speed: 32 mph
Avg. Ascent Rate: 1083 ft/min
Avg. Descent Rate: 2619 ft/min
Flight Duration: 1 hr, 59 min
Our first flight of 2006 was in conjunction with the annual
Central Plains Severe Weather Symposium, held in Lincoln, NE. Mark N9XTN and
Wayne KE6DZD from NSTAR provided static displays, a digipeater and a live
tracking station of the flight for the people at the symposium. The balloon and
its payloads were released at 10:45 CST into a clear blue sky. There was a nice
crowd that came outside to watch the filling process and launch. We used the
"hail Mary" launch technique, and with all the excitement I neglected
to ensure the payloads were strung out downwind. We had them in an upwind direction
and when the balloon was released the tail end of the payload string narrowly
missed a few folks in the crowd. Thankfully no one was injured and a valuable
lesson was learned. The KC0MWM-11 payload functioned well and we got some nice
pictures as we ascended next to a contrail and some nice pictures of western
Iowa on descent. The WY0F-11 payload experienced some difficulties prior to
launch and continued throughout the flight. Jack discovered later that a bad
connection on the cable between the GPS receiver and the PocketTracker may have
been the culprit. Balloon burst occurred at 92,710 feet. As we crossed the
river into Iowa, we heard Doug KA0O and Tony KC0RCL. They were assisting with
chase. We were fortunate to be in position to watch the payloads land. Jeff K0JLR
recorded a nice bit of video of the landing. The payloads landed a short walk
from the county road we were on, in a cornfield. Tony and his daughters headed
back home after the recovery and the rest of us went to Glenwood, IA for lunch
at Pizza Hut. It was a good day and we thank Mark for asking us to be part of
the symposium.
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| Tracking and Recovery Crew from left: Gene, WB0PKP; Jack, WY0F; Jeff, K0JLR; Roger, KC0MWM; Tony, KC0RJL and daughters. front: Doug, KA0O |
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