BLT-15 Over The Edge!


	OK. So what's first? Beacons, packet or GPS?
	Pete goes for the title of Parachute Untangler.
	Tim begins the payload check out procedure. A few wires needed repair on the PacComm TNC and power lines for the Alinco HT were soldered in.
	OK. Synchronize your HT's! Howard, Pete and Tim get calibrated with scanners and HT's tuned to the two packet download frequencies: 144.290 & 440.950 MHz.
	When in doubt, carve it out! Check out went very well. We had plenty of time to check out ground station software and listen to the beacons on 28.322 & 50.000 MHz.
	Tony N5RPQ and Tim KD5DTH set up one receive system, while Mike WA5TWT works on two more.
	Results! A mix of APRS+ and Delorme Street Atlas pay off. We're ready to go and so is "Mr. Ball". See him launched to over 100,000 feet from the Smithville Airport on February 27, 1999, bewtween 10 and 11 AM! - BLT-15 OVER THE EDGE -