ZL1RS will be launching a WSJT WSPR and JT9 Ocean going ham radio buoy shortly similar to the very successful balloons launched by VE3KCL. Again this will be based around the very popular U3S module. As with the VE3KCL balloons Bob's Ocean Floater will require the monitoring help of the Ham Radio community to help track its progress around the world, we hope. This is another great use, in my opinion, for Joe Taylor's WJST and QRP Labs U3S multimode digital transmitter. More information can be found on the Ocean Floaters progress, and how you can join in with this project at the following website. http://www.qsl.net/zl1rs/oceanfloater.html If you have any problems opening the page PLEASE check you browser and Norton settings and read what the screen is actually saying. Our club, The EME Rovers, are using a version of the U3S multimode beacon to run digital beacons on 6/2/222 MHz with great success. The one pictured in the below link is currently running running from the club shack in FL on 50.075 under the club call KM4HAM/B. Basically it cost us a $35 U3S and a $25 GPS system which we fed into an old 6m amp that one of the members had in his junk pile. http://www.emerovers.com/home/odds-ends.html For more information on the U3S we used please see the following link. Again please check your browser settings and realize what they are saying. I know on some settings it gets flagged. http://qrp-labs.com/ultimate3/u3s.html Paul N2EME
As far as I can tell from the greatly reduced rate of speed and the different direction of travel, the Floater has been released from the yacht "Windflower" and is now drifting in the south Pacific ocean about 550 miles south of Fiji. http://www.qsl.net/zl1rs/oceanfloater.html 73, Bob ZL1RS
With a "fingers crossed" battery life of approximately 9 months this, along with the immediate gratification VE3KCL type balloon QRP Labs U3S beacons would make great science fair projects for the kids at school. http://www.qsl.net/zl1rs/oceanfloater.html
