Here are some photos from the June 1, 2005, BLT-21 First Integration Meeting.


It was SUPPOSED to be an integration meeting, but it looked more like a Balloonatic Social Hour! Payload Master Mike WA5TWT had the tables ready, and we DID actually do some work, but it was more like a "Show and Tell" mixed with general discussion and conjecture. However, here are the basic components of the main payload APRS system. After experimentation and some actual work, we have decided that the Radio Shack 70-cm HT will take over for the veteran Tokyo Hi-Power rig. Too many trips to the Edge of Space have taken their toll.


Charles W5BAA brought the SECRET plans for the NEW glider. It will be incredible! The stuff on the left is the 23-cm glider ATV transmitter and a color camera.


Charles brought along his CO2-powered free-flyer. If the BLT-21 glider is even close to this level of modeling expertise, we are going to have an incrdible flight!


For his APRS tracker, Charles has concocted an extremely compact unit comprised of an Alinco Credit-Card-Sized HT, a Garmin "Hockey-Puck" GPS receiver with patch antenna, a Tini-Tracker-3 TNC and a pack of Lithium-Ion batteries.


This view of the glider's APRS tracker gives a better perspective of the size of the unit and the ultra-light-weight craftsmanship involved.


Using UI-VIEW software as the basis of his ground system, Charles has added a window to display the glider's LAT, LON, Time, Course, Altitude and Speed.


Payload Master Tony N5RPQ and Video Master Ron AG5RS take a break. Just talking about all of this hi-tech stuff is exhausting!


Camera Master Pete KD5ELH and Payload Master Mike WA5TWT join the social hour. What's so funny, eh?


"Charles, are you sure about this?" "Ignore it Tony. I'm right. Your data is WRONG." Tony and Charles have a friendly conversation about the glider system.


"What do you mean, 'STRIKE'??!!?? You need to get to work NOW, and prepare the back-up cut-down system!" Ron and Helium King Charlie K5ENG have WORDS.


"I don't have any Helium. That's YOUR job!!"

Our Final Integration Meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 6, 2005, at the Secret BLT Lab (310 Lombardy) in Sugar Land - 8 PM till 10 PM. This is IT! We NEED to get out of the lounge chairs, and PUT IT ALL TOGETHER ASAP!!

Launch is scheduled for 10 AM on August 20, 2005 from the Wharton Regional Airport. Be There!!!