COMPTE RENDU BALLON RADIOAMATEUR KC5NXD - LEO-1

The flight of LEO-1 was a great success.  Aside from technical difficulties, the launch went well and was a lot of fun for all.  The flight reached a maximum altitude of 97,000 which was verified by a chase team member from a direct packet received directly on his HT.  The flight was not that fast going up, but it was a scorcher on its way down.  It was launched from Gluckstadt, MS and landed near Ashville, AL on a fighting bull farm.
All equipment and science projects were accounted for since it landed in a pine tree at the edge of a pasture.  The pine tree was about 100 feet tall and was hanging from about the 70 foot level.  Luckily a friend, Shane- N4XWC, who likes to climb trees was on one of the chase teams and was there and helped recover it all. There were many hams involved in the chase teams.  Listed below are some of the individuals and hams that contributed to this extraordinary event.
(Team 1) Jim Coker(AE5SK), Jim Rapp(WS7EOC);
(Team 2) Bill Richardson(N5VEI), Coley Richardson, Martin McCandless, Adam Lewis(KF5JSY)
(Team 3) Shane Wilson(N4XWC) and friend
(Team 4) Bobby Robinson(Science Teacher) and daughter
(Team 5) Zac Hollingsworth W4ZAC and Brady Bunt KF4YPT
 (Team 6) Tom Randle is (W4BM)
(Team 7) Tim Purvis (N5UDK) and daughter Heather Purvis (KF5COJ)
All science projects were accounted for and are being analyzed at this time.  We also duplicated a phenomenon that we got from an experiment last year.  The phenomenon happened when we sent up a roll of film in a plastic roll container.  Last year, the film was developed and a few of the frames had orange and red flame images across them and some had an ethereal blue flame or haze across them.  No scientist that we have talked to has been able to identify what particle might have collided with the film or the phenomenon.  This year the same thing happened on one frame of the film.  We took great measures to ensure that there were no accidental exposures.  The phenomenon around the third frame in from the end this year.  Once all science experiments are fully completed, I will have a report available.
On a final note, we are now in 2nd place for VHF/UHF telemetry reception distance at ARHAB.org.  They track worldwide amateur radio ballooning records.  A single packet was received in North Carolina when the balloon was at or near peak altitude. It traveled 512 miles.  Due to a weather front in the area it provided perfect conditions for VHF propagation.   The 50mw voice beacon was heard near the balloons peak from Sumrall, MS.  Jimmy Ready (N5LRQ) trained his beams on it and was able to make out a portion of the secret message.  Overall the balloon was a great success, and next year’s launch is already being planned.  A slideshow of all the pictures can be found atwww.tinyurl.com/otmsradio under the photo gallery.
73,
Bill Richardson, N5VEI
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