High School Students to Attempt Record Setting Balloon

N1RCA writes " At Timberlane Regional High School, in Plaistow New Hampshire, The Coordinated Algebra II and Physics (CAP) classes taught by Lorainne Mascioli (N1VYQ) and Lou Broad (N1RCA) are planning thier third year of ham radio and high altitude balloons. This year the class has grown to 34 students and they are planning to launch six balloon systems in a two day period! This should be a record breaking event in both ham radio and high altitude ballooning.



All six student teams will attempt to launch thier balloons at the Hosstraders Ham Fest in May of 2002 located at the Hopkington Fair Grounds in New Hampshire. Each team is responsible for design, construction, and opperation of thier system. Each balloon will have a baseline GPS and packet reporting system while several experimental payloads will be flown. Some payloads may include cameras, video, amatuer television and cross band repeaters. At maximum altitude such systems will have a range of 300 miles and should easily cover all of New England and more!


CAP is seeking assistance from the ham clubs and hams in New Hampshire and we are currently presenting at many local clubs to gain support.


For more information check out the CAPSAT Website."