Mother nature cleared the air of rain and dreariness just in time for this sunny, Saturday event to happen after lots of careful planning. The Auction is covered elsewhere on this site, but here is what we enjoyed about the "HABITAT SkyLab" high altitude interactive communications balloon launch. Don Pfister KAØJLF, and his volunteer group are behind this non-profit venture.
These folks are dedicated to their nitch of the amateur hobby. They seem to be good designers, engineers and weather experts plus much more.
Foremost in their concern is the weather, especially the wind velocity and direction. They know from research, where and when the 8-foot in diameter balloon will return to earth after the rapid rise to high altitudes of up to 100,000 feet of more. During the flight they not only get telemetry information but also use the repeater aboard the payload for extending ordinary multi mile contacts to hundreds of miles of possible two-way VHF communications. The flights can also include video or photo capturing.
Watching the planning and execution of their balloon launch is an exercise in teamwork and skill.
For a complete understanding of what this is all about, please make a visit to the web site of Don Pfister KAØJLF. www.habitatskylab.org. You can e-mail Don at " HABITAT_Skylab@yahoo.com ".
Here are still shots and a nearly 3 minute video of a 2MP mpeg video of the flight originating at the ENSOR MUSEUM.
 T -2:00 ( Set Up ) |
 T -1:00 ( Inflating ) |
 T -0:45 ( Inflating ) |
 T -0:30 ( Inflating ) |
 T -0:15 ( Tie Off ) |
 T -0:10 ( Check Radios & Payload) |
 T -4 3 ( Getting into Position ) |
 2 1 ( Almost ) |
 ZERO |
 T + :005 |
 T + 0:10 |
HABITAT Skylab Balloon Launch (2 Meg)
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October 23, 2004 fund raising Auction at ENSOR MUSEUM
The main event of the year for the active JCRAC from Overland Park, Kansas had its planning under way beginning in mid-summer. By the time October rolled around, the auction was well planned. The membership was primed to present over one hundred items from among their individual surplus stockpile of stashed away, but not forgotten items of past use. The diversity of items was astonishing to behold. Imagine an original, boxed, bright red Tractor Radio (NOS), followed by a perfect looking set of 1950s yellow Gieger Counters. Several nice old boat anchor receivers and transmitters joined many boxes of various, neat stuff at auction. It all originated from within the membership. Individuals who heard of the event through local advertising also consigned other items.
As luck happens, a recent arriving resident to the area, John Polakovic, N8WTX, with experience in auctioneering agreed to lend expertise to the auction. It was noticeably smooth operating and everyone present had a great time for over two hours of fast moving excitement.
Besides John and his wife, Linda, other helpers and promoters were; Dennis KCØQBU, Debra KCØRBQ, Club President Bill Gery KA2FNK, Bill Brinker WAØCBW, Don Warkentien WØDEW, and others who we can’t name but who helped make the event a terrific success.
This club generously offered a split of proceeds with the Ensor Museum, thus becoming the biggest benefactor of the year. This group continues to be very helpful to the museum and their activities are welcome. Below are photos and a short video of the day.
Johnson County ARC Auction (900 K)
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