An interesting high-altitude balloon payload from enthusiasts at Iowa State University will be taking to the skies sometime after December 1st.

November 21st Launch Scrubbed: Weather, including the possibility of thick clouds and icing at elevated altitudes, forced the balloon launch to be cancelled. The next launch opportunity is after December 1st, so be on the lookout for an email regarding dates of the rescheduled launch.

The Campus Amateur Radio Club at Iowa State University will be launching a 10 kHz wide linear transponder on a high-altitude balloon from Ames, Iowa in coordination with HABET.

The linear transponder will be non-inverting (use USB or CW on both the uplink and downlink) and will have a 10m uplink and a 2m downlink. The antennas on the balloon will be vertically polarized. Please use the minimum amount of power necessary to get into the transponder (5 watts should be enough). If you are able to run full-duplex, please do so! A good setup would be to run a standard HF rig for the 10m uplink, along with a 2m all-mode transceiver or SDR dongle for the 2m downlink. Unlike traditional satellite operation, there will be no significant doppler shift.

Keep an eye on this one, it should be interesting and fun!