An Amateur Use For High Altitude Platforms ?

York University did a lot of work on High Altitude Platforms a few years ago. From the news story below it looks like they've got funding to develop the system further. The system they are developing will provide Broadband via Balloons in Sweden, see:

http://www.southgatearc.org/news/aug2005/capanina.htm

These platforms could also prove very useful for Amateur Radio. A cross-band linear transponder with omni antennas mounted on one of these platforms could provide coverage over a radius of up to 500 miles.

73 Trevor M5AKA
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