Balloon Projects

On Saturday, May 22, 2010, Near Space Sciences along with the Yellow Thunder Amateur Radio Club, launched NSS-50 from the Sauk County Fairgrounds in Baraboo. The event was the annual 'Baraboo Circus Heritage' for the Boy Scouts of America.

The payload consisted of a GPS package that was separate from the main package which contained 2 cameras, an ATV transmitter, a VHF receiver, controller board and mirror actuator. Video was recorded on board by the two cameras and from the ATV downlink.

Click HERE for the news story NBC-15 did that day.

Here's a LINK to a video Joe, WB9SBD, from Near Space Sciences, produced for YouTube.


Check back often for pictures and more video.

Near Space Sciences along with the Yellow Thunder A.R.C. launched an Amateur Radio Balloon on Saturday, May 15, 2010 at approximately 8:12am from Mauston, Wisconsin.

The mission was to test another GPS receiver to see if it would work above 60,000 feet. The Garmin 18xLVC-5m.

Here's a link to the video.

Near Space Sciences along with the Yellow Thunder A.R.C. launched an Amateur Radio Balloon on Saturday, May 8, 2010 at approximately 8:53am from Mauston, Wisconsin.

The mission was to test a new brand of GPS receiver to see if it would work above 60,000 feet and a new Micro-Trak 300 transmitter.

Here's a link to the video.

The N9LKY memorial balloon flight was a success.
Launch time was 8:48am CDT on Saturday, August 9, 2008, from the Sauk County Fairgrounds in Baraboo.
The balloon reached a final recorded altitude of 101,640 feet above sea level around 11:11am CDT  just east of Beloit, Wisconsin.
It's final report was given at 11:58am CDT, 2 miles south of Marengo, Illinois. The package was retrieved within minutes.

A special thanks to our chase teams:
Len, N9QIP
Brad, KB9VMC & Chris, KC9IZG
Wayne, W9YYZ & Bill, KA9QFJ

Check back for photos of the launch/recovery and photos from the edge of space.

QSL Information:
If you worked the N9LKY memorial balloon flight and would like a certificate, Please send $1.00 and a 9 by 12 envelope to:

N9LKY Memorial Balloon Flight
1120 City View Road
Baraboo, WI 53913

Please include your callsign, approximate time of contact and your issued serial number.

Please allow 4 weeks for delivery.


6/6/09 update:

Balloon certificates are done!

There were a total of 148 logged contacts made through the balloon. Your serial number on the certificate will be the one we have on file.

We have mailed certificates to those who have requested them and have provided a 9 by 12 envelope with $1.00.


The following stations will be receiving their certificates in the mail:

KC9KMZ
KA9OIL
KD8IFJ
N9IIF
N8WAC
KC9MLN
KC9KZQ
N9JO
KD8DZC
KB8VKE
KF8Z
W9EWW
W8SOL
N9WWR
KS8O


Thank you for your patience.


Here's a seek peek of the certificate - If you would like to obtain your own certificate, please follow the QSL Information above.