Late in August will see a presentation all about the sport of Weather Balloon chasing from Steve VK7OO with support from Anders VK7TCP and Steven VK7SH
There are hundred of weather balloons with radiosondes launched every day around the world to help Meteorological and Aviation understand what is going on in our atmosphere.
These balloons are one use devices and the balloon eventually bursts and the radiosonde comes back to earth on a parachute. They have a lithium battery and we will have some examples of them at the presentation.
Matt VK7MAT First Balloon Retrieved
They transmit on the 75cm band and can be picked up using a modest receiver and antenna. Some amateurs have even repurposed the transmitters for amateur beacons on 70cm.
They are tracked through a citizen-science project called SondeHub that Steven VK7SH has been deeply involved with.
There is also a historical club linkage with radiosondes with Rex Moncur VK7MO developing some early valve based radiosondes back when he started with the Bureau of Meterology.
When: August 27th, 2025 from 7:30pm
Where: Queens Domain Clubrooms and Stream on the REAST YouTube Streaming.
See you there or on the stream.
73, REAST Committee