The goal of TI-Ballooning is to introduce teachers to HF propagation, the WSPR network, the GPS network and NMEA sentences, weather patterns, and solar energy. This course culminates in an overall project of building amateur radio enabled, solar powered pico balloon platforms, properly inflating pico balloons to withstand the air pressures between 30,000 to 40,000 feet and tracking the balloons via the WSPR network. The payloads will transmit GPS data (altitude, direction, and speed) and temperature via the WSPR network. Teachers will also learn about NWS radiosondes and how to find them with advanced Fox Hunting techniques.

Day 1:
HF Propagation
WSPR Network
Components of the balloon payload
Begin building balloon payload

Day 2:
Continue building balloon payload
configure payload WSPR transmitter
Test payload (power and wspr transmission)
Discuss weather and wind patterns and how to use weather apps to make lanch decisions and predict future balloon positions

Day 3:
Introduction to properly inflating balloons to withstand the air pressure @30,000 to 40,000 feet
Inflate, launch, and track balloons
Introduction to NWS radiosondes and how to track them live via SDR & Internet
W1AW Radiosonde receiver

Day 4:
Continue tracking balloons
Introduction to advanced Fox Hunting Techniques
Map and Compass Skills: Triangulation, Conducting a Fox Hunt