Well, I am slowly getting the parts needed to complete my APRS tracker for the Weather Balloon experiment! I am building a TrackUino APRS tracker. Thanks to generous donations from the members of the CenturyLink Employees' Amateur Radio Club I am getting close to completion. I was able to order a few parts (pic1 below) and so far CLEARC has gotten me some of the more pricey parts (pic2 below). All that is left now are the $40+ parts such as the actual transmitter, gps chip, sports cam, and 2x Canon A570IS cameras. Oh and we need the balloon and parachute. That is ALL that remains!!! Hopefully here soon I will have the rest of what is needed and get this HAB in the air! Stay tuned for more updates as I build the board, run tests, and eventually launch this experiment.
We all started our HAM journey thanks to our caring, teaching, giving Elmers. And we have all gotten that call from them along us to come help with something or another...... right? Well the best part is sometimes you get a reward for helping! Just as I did today. Went to help my Elmer (KE5WFA) relocate a Hustler 6-BTV vertical antenna. He had both a 5 & 6 BTV and was relocating the 6-BTV. When we finished he asked me, "Now what an I going to do with this 5-BTV?" I simply shrugged my shoulders and continued cleaning up. It was at this time that he told me to break it down and go put it in my Jeep. Heck Yeah!!! Granted she needs a little TLC, but hey... gives me a project that keeps me out of my XYL's kitchen and out of trouble!
Mr. Bill, if you are reading this... Thank you again! It is very much appreciated!!! |