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Here is an introduction to flying Pico Balloons. Basically they consist of four things. First, a large 32 inch spherical party balloon filled with helium or hydrogen. Second, suspended from the balloon is a small wire 34 feet long. Third, in the middle of the antenna is a small radio transmitter with a gps receiver. Last, this is powered by a small solar panel. Other parts of this website provide detailed information on how to make or buy these items. Other parts of this site tell how to launch and track a balloon. Another good website to look at is Trackquito. It has excellent descriptions of the same subjects addressed in this web site.
The only items that are potentially difficult to obtain are getting the gas for the balloon and obtaining the Amateur Radio License. In order to legally operate a balloon transmitter, you will need an Amateur Radio License. Preferably this should be a General license, but because of the current solar cycle, a Technician license will work but not as well.
Getting a Ham License
Getting a Ham License
In order to get a license, you need to take a 35-question multiple choice test. The questions are taken from a pool of published questions. The test is not difficult. Many Jr High students have passed their Technician and General license tests. It will require some study. I have taken many certification tests of this type and I found it easiest if I only studied the correct answers. There are many online and local classes to help you pass the test. Because we are nearing a sunspot maximum, a Technician license will provide the minimum capability. Most balloonists have a General license that allows transmission on additional, more populated bands.
Should I Worry About Airplanes
Should I Worry About Airplanes
The government has laws that govern the flying of balloons and kites. They stipulate weight and size limits. Pico balloons are far below these limits. Typical payloads are only 0.03 lbs. In addition, jet engines are designed and tested to ingest birds which are much larger and denser than any current pico balloon. In addition, our balloons typically fly much higher than any commercial aircraft.
Here is a news article stating what NORAD thinks about our balloons.
Where Is My Balloon
Where Is My Balloon
Just sending a balloon up in the air is not interesting. You would like to know where it goes and how high. This is done with a network of thousands of ham radio operators around the world. They use their radios to listen for balloons and other signals. When information is received, it is uploaded to one central site, wsprnet.org. Other websites access data from wsprnet.org periodically and plot the path of the balloon over time.
So, the balloon carries a transmitter called a tracker. Unfortunately, to legally use a tracker you need to have an amateur radio operator license of the Technician or General class. Alternatively contact a local Ham Radio club and partner with them to put up a legal tracker.
How Much Will It Cost
How Much Will It Cost
If you want to fly only one balloon, the cost will be about $140 (Jan 2023) without gas. The best tracker will cost about $65. A balloon will cost about $20. You will need to build a small solar panel (not that difficult with the instructions that are provided) that will cost about $20. Antenna wire and other small items make up the remaining. The big question is where you get the helium or hydrogen gas for the balloon.
For your second balloon you will only need to buy a tracker, balloon and gas, so the cost is significantly less.
Where Do I Get the Gas
Where Do I Get the Gas
This is the biggest problem with pico balloons. Pico Balloons use either helium or hydrogen gas. The best gas to use is hydrogen. It is somewhat lighter and does not diffuse through the balloon as quickly. There is some danger in using hydrogen. However, it is commonly used in industrial welding and a tank of it can be more easily obtained. Potentially, you could contact a commercial welding company to fill your balloon. The supply of helium is limited, and it is difficult to get a from gas supply stores. The stores in my area only supply their current customers.
Helium from party balloons has been used in the past, but it is typically only 80% helium. I have flown older style balloons using this gas and they have gone a few thousand miles. At this time, I am not aware of anyone who has used party balloon gas in the newer balloons.
In some cases, the local Dollar Store will fill your balloons. Mine would not. Instead, I purched 5 balloons and transferred the gas to my pico balloon. You can also get tanks of party ballon gas online or in some local party stores.
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