Amateur radio club sends transmitter into the sky

GEORGE NEWS - A Pico balloon carrying a weak signal propagation reporter (WSPR) beacon was sent into the atmosphere from the outskirts of George on Monday morning, 30 June.

Launched by amateur radio enthusiasts from the Eden Radio Club, the beacon is expected to transmit radio signals in the 10m band for about a year before it stops working.

Operating at the extremely energy-efficient side of the scale, the solar-powered beacon operates at a transmit power of only 20 millivolts (mV) - significantly below the voltage levels used in typical household systems.

Using the WSPR protocol, the beacon transmits location, altitude, wind speed, temperature and solar panel voltage data every 10 minutes.

Carried forward by stratospheric winds between 12 000m and 15 000m above sea level, the balloon is safe from commercial flight paths, and the data collected will sooth enthusiasts' curiosity about what life is like up there.

The incredibly intricate balloon and payload weighs in at only 100g and was skillfully assembled by retired computer programmer Stewart Clark (call sign ZR1WT).

While delicate in appearance and requiring clear skies and calm conditions to launch, the device can withstand the extreme cold and strong winds in the upper atmosphere.

At the time of the launch, the wind at 12 000m above sea level was howling at 120km/h - that's akin to sticking your head out the window while driving at the maximum legal speed on a national highway!

Every aspect of the project is meticulously calculated. Even the lightweight plastic helium balloon's deflated appearance at take-off was by design.

Clark explained that it was filled with exactly the right quantity of helium to get it off the ground and would gradually expand to full capacity, without popping, as atmospheric pressure decreases while the balloon rises up higher and higher.

The Eden Radio Club's chairperson, Corné Conradie, said the club has been around for three years and has about 50 members - the youngest being a 16-year-old girl.

He invited anyone interested in joining the local community of licensed amateur radio operators (also known as 'hams') and connecting with other hams from around the world, to visit www.edenradioclub.com and get in contact.

The tiny WSPR beacon with its six solar panels that was sent into the stratosphere on Sunday morning.