MM04 -2018-06-07

Tracker Details

Tracker Type: APRS

Model: PicoTracker1Rev2

Configuration:

msBetweenTransmits = 3000 (3s, 0m, 0h)

lhAltFtThreshold = 10000

hAlt.wakeAndEvaluateMs = 600000 (600s, 10m, 0h)

lAlt.wakeAndEvaluateMs = 45000 (45s, 0m, 0h)

lAlt.stickyMs = 10800000 (10800s, 180m, 3h)

dz.wakeAndEvaluateMs = 7200000 (7200s, 120m, 2h)

Launch Parameters

Balloon and Payload

36" Qualatex, unstretched
31.0 gram payload
2.45 grams free lift

Actuals

Top Altitude - 3,675 ft
Duration - 0.6 hours
Distance - 6 miles straight line
Cause of death - Signals stopped being received as balloon was ascending

General Thoughts / Observations

MM04 floated off nicely with gentle, steady ascent. The transmissions were troubled from the start. The first aprs.fi packet was received 14 minutes after launch, even though regular signals were heard on the Baofeng radio. After receiving 8 signals, no more were received.

I believe the end of this flight was transmission failure versus balloon coming down. This unit had a faulty transmitter replaced. Weather was clear at at the time.

Thoughts for next time

Stick with low free lift.

Triple check signal decoding.