On Aug. 23, the Comox Valley Amateur Radio Club (CVARC) will launch a pico balloon in honour of deceased club member, Ted Simpkins.
At 10:00 a.m., weather permitting, CVARC will meet in Vanier Field to set the pico balloon in motion. A pico balloon is a small, high-altitude balloon equipped with a radio transmitter and solar panels. Once it hits the lower stratosphere, it drifts with wind currents while transmitting its position, conditions and other information to worldwide receiving stations on the ground.
This pico balloon launch is especially meaningful to the CVARC as it has been in development for months and will serve as a memorial to deceased club member, Tim Simpkins. Simpkin鈥檚 callsign, VA7YQQ, will be transmitted from the balloon every ten minutes during daylight hours.
Under favorable conditions, the balloon is expected to reach about 13,000 meters and hopefully circumnavigate the globe. Previous club launches have experienced significant success, with the most recent balloon currently drifting eastward over the Russia鈥揗ongolia border, after one successful circumnavigation.
The CVARC took its time in deciding how to honour the memory of Simpkin and felt that the best way to reflect his spirit of curiosity, generosity and adventure would be by launching this pico balloon. If conditions are right, the balloon鈥檚 journey could take it across North America, the Atlantic, Europe, Africa and Asia.
