guides:faq
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guides:faq [2010/03/18 18:59] – jcoxon | guides:faq [2024/03/03 10:21] (current) – [Do I need to get permission to launch a weather balloon in the UK?] daveake | ||
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====== Frequently Asked Questions ====== | ====== Frequently Asked Questions ====== | ||
+ | ===== Do I need to get permission to launch a weather balloon in the UK? ===== | ||
+ | In the UK, permission for weather balloon flights is granted by the CAA, to get permission you need to fill in this [[https:// | ||
- | ==== Do I need to get permission to launch a weather balloon | + | The CAA will send you a permit document if you have been granted |
- | In the UK weather balloon flight | + | The actual situation is not that you are applying for permission |
- | The actual situation is not that you are applying for permission but instead being granted exemption from the Air Navigation Order 2005 surround the launching of balloons. The regulations require the use of a standard meterological balloon and for the payload to descend by parachute. | ||
+ | ===== Is it safe? What about the planes? ===== | ||
+ | The most important thing when planning and launching high altitude balloons is to be safe. For the benefit of other flying vehicles, such as planes, when you get ' | ||
+ | Other methods of being safe include striving to make your payload as light as possible (which will save on helium costs and also get you just that little bit higher!), and insulating it well will help with the low temperatures but also help to cushion it on landing. As required by your ' | ||
- | ==== Can I use amateur radio transmitters on a flight? ==== | + | Finally you should only launch when the winds are right - it is not advisable to fly when the forecasts have it landing in a densely populated area - for example when launching from Cambridge, UK we don't fly when the forecast has it landing within the M25 (i.e. close to London). |
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+ | ===== Can I use amateur radio transmitters on a flight? | ||
In the UK, [[http:// | In the UK, [[http:// | ||
Regulations may vary in other countries - ie American and Australian legislation appears to allow the use of amateur radio transmitters in airborne applications. Don't take this as gospel - check with your local regulator. | Regulations may vary in other countries - ie American and Australian legislation appears to allow the use of amateur radio transmitters in airborne applications. Don't take this as gospel - check with your local regulator. | ||
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+ | ===== How come on the Radiometrix NTX2 data sheet it says that a 10mW 434.075Mhz transmitter only goes 500m but you still use it? ===== | ||
+ | Indeed the Radiometrix NTX2 does only transmit ~500m when on the ground, the limited range is due to poor line of sight (LOS). Attached to a balloon transmitting at a slow data rate and with a sensitive receiving antenna and radio the LOS is excellent and so it is possible to get over 400km range! Most commonly we use RTTY at 50 baud and use amateur radio receivers such as the FT-790r, FT-817 and Icom IC7000 and yagi antennas to receive. | ||
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+ | ===== Where can I get more information and advice about building a High Altitude Balloon (HAB) payload? ===== | ||
+ | Most of the discussion about HABing both in the UK and around the world takes place on the IRC channel - # |
guides/faq.1268938770.txt.gz · Last modified: 2010/03/18 18:59 by jcoxon