Communicate - Construct - Experiment - educate
Four Pilars of Amateur Radio Activity
Contact: kb7hta@kb7hta.com
NEWS
Las Vegas Amateur Radio Balloon News
Update – December 21, 2024, ALP40-E woke-up this morning about 1248 UTC over South Carolina, USA. The balloon/payload status is nominal, with a speed of 97 MPH (156 KPH) at an altitude of 43,700′. The 1418 UTC report has the balloon feet wet over the Atlantic Ocean, Northeast of Charleston. The SondeHub tracking website forecasts the balloon making landfall in the UK in about 52 hours from now. ALP40-E can be tracked during daylight hours HERE or on WSPRNet (enter 10 m, EA1KT, 1 hour and click update). The Reverse Beacon Network RBN has received over 100 CW spots. For more information about TALARC Pico-Balloons, use the table with links below.
The American Legion Amateur Radio Club Post 40 (TALARC) Balloon Launches
| Balloon Designation | Balloon Status | Construction | Launch Date/Info | Tracking Website | Flight Info/Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALP40 – E | UP | U4B/SolarPan/SCap | November 28, 2024 | Traquito Spot | ALP40-E Current |
| ALP40 – D | DOWN | U4B/SolarPan/Bat | November 8, 2024 | Traquito Spot | ALP40-D Archive |
| ALP40 – C | DOWN | U4B/SolarPan/SCap | June 5, 2024 | Not Tracked | ALP40-C Archive |
| ALP40 – B | DOWN | U4B/SolarPan/Bat | April 10, 2024 | Traquito Spot | ALP40-B Archive |
| ALP40 – A | DOWN | U4B/SolarPan/SCap | February 3, 2024 | Traquito Spot | ALP40-A Archive |
Weekly LVMesh NET
Every Sunday starting at 6:45 pm there is a NET using Team Talk 5 (similar to Zoom) over the LVMesh Network. If you would like to participate, please contact Tom, KB7HTA, for more information. His contact information is available through QRZ. The NET usually sees about 7 regulars, Frank (N7ZEV), Dale (WA6MZW), Robert (N7GET), Don (KE6BXT), Tom (KB7HTA), Steven (N6SFX) and Wayne (N7HWM), with others joining in periodically.
AllStar Over LVMesh
AllStar over LVMesh has been tested, with encouraging results. A private connection from the QTH of KB7HTA through the Apex repeater site, KO0OOO repeater site, Potosi repeater site and finally to the W7HEN public hub at the QTH of K6FYN was made during the Henderson Sunday night NET on October 4th, 2020. The AllStar over LVMesh private network consists of Richard, KO0OOO (node#1500), Tom, KB7HTA (node#1501), Rick, K7FYI (node#1502) and Lawrence, k6YFN (node#1503). A few hardware improvements need to be made before testing continues.
Mesh Power Box
In working with mesh nodes, it was clear there was a need for a power box, which could supply both 12 volts and 24 volts. Even though, many nodes will operate using 12 volts, 24 volts is recommended. Also, the use of longer Ethernet cables, will drop the supply voltage significantly. In the “Projects” section, I have provided details on how to construct such a box.
