Messages

1

VHF/UHF Logs, including satellites and radiosondes / Radiosonde launch video. Key West NWS.

« on: July 20, 2014, 0022 UTC »

Some video I shot of the Key West NWS morning launch of a RS92-NGP radiosonde.
On 1676 MHz.  I optically tracked one launch all the way to balloon burst!

http://youtu.be/16JRTxbuX20

-Charlie
 W5CDT

2

VHF/UHF Logs, including satellites and radiosondes / Radio sonde leaves US air space

« on: June 07, 2013, 0404 UTC »

Apparently Mexico doesn't care if we fly radio sondes into their airspace.
This is the LAT/LON and altitude data I collected from tonight's KDRT launch on 1680 MHz.
The track below is well approximated by the CUSF landing predictor.

http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=2165748


-Charlie

3

VHF/UHF Logs, including satellites and radiosondes / Re: Sterling... we have a problem

« on: June 06, 2013, 1955 UTC »

Great job Chris 

The CUSF predictor did a reasonably good job.  Winds aloft are not always as forecasted (my pilot experience).
Sounds like the dish helps you cut through the tree loss at 1.68GHz.  Initial descent rate is over 60 mph. Wow!

-Charlie

4

VHF/UHF Logs, including satellites and radiosondes / 1691 down converter

« on: May 31, 2013, 2002 UTC »

Has anyone used one of these kits before?
Might work on 1680 MHz...

http://www.qsl.net/ok2ugs/gb_137141/down_converter_1691_gb.htm

-Charlie

5

VHF/UHF Logs, including satellites and radiosondes / Radiosonde track May 18th KDRT launch

« on: May 18, 2013, 1358 UTC »

http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=2136948&share=1

6

VHF/UHF Logs, including satellites and radiosondes / LNA for 1680 MHz sonde reception

« on: May 14, 2013, 2335 UTC »

In addition to the Radio Shack in-line satellite amplifer (Catalog #: 16-2565 ) with provides 15dB of 1680 MHz gain with a 3dB noise figure I also use the following product from Mini Circuits.  It runs nicely from three AA batteries and provides over twice the gain in dB. It also has SMA connectors instead of the F connectors found on the Radio Shack amplifer.

http://www.minicircuits.com/pdfs/ZX60-2534M+.pdf

-Charlie
 W5CDT

7

VHF/UHF Logs, including satellites and radiosondes / Re: Possible radiosonde reception 1676 MHz

« on: April 30, 2013, 2121 UTC »

Good deal Chris. I will see if I can find a contact at the Dulles NWS to confirm their operating frequency.
Ascent rate is about 5m/sec and I'm told descent is about 7m/sec. Next time I capture two descending packets separated by a few seconds I'll try to give you some hard data on that.

-CT

8

VHF/UHF Logs, including satellites and radiosondes / Mark IIa Micronsonde - Audio File

« on: April 29, 2013, 1926 UTC »

This is what a Mark IIa Micronsonde on 1680 MHz sounds like.
Signal is +/-75 KHz deviation FM.  9600, N, 8, 1 data.

https://www.box.com/s/an9rtanplf11jfw4vq38

9

VHF/UHF Logs, including satellites and radiosondes / 1680 MHz radiosonde reception

« on: April 27, 2013, 1338 UTC »

First time receiving a Mark IIa Microsonde from KHYI airport.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgVBaHPxfg4

-W5CDT