So, I finally decided to tackle that weather balloon photography project I’ve been dreaming about. It wasn’t easy, but boy, was it an adventure!
First, I needed a balloon. Not just any balloon, mind you, but a proper meteorological one. After some digging around online, I found a place that sells them, and a decent one set me back about a hundred bucks. I started to buy a Weather Balloon Kit, which includes some necessary accessories, but it was too expensive, so I decided to buy them separately. Cheaper!
Next up, tracking. I mean, what good is sending a balloon up if you can’t find it later? I looked into a few options: satellite trackers, APRS trackers, and even just a regular cell phone. Each had its pros and cons. I mean, do you use a satellite or a cell phone? Tough choice.
- Satellite tracker: Super reliable, works anywhere. But man, they’re pricey, and you usually need a subscription.
- APRS tracker: Pretty cool, uses radio signals. But you need a ham radio license, and the coverage isn’t always perfect.
- Cell phone: The simplest option, really. Just stick an old phone up there with a tracking app. But it only works where there’s cell service, so no good if it lands in the middle of nowhere.
After weighing it up, I went with the cell phone. I figured the area I was launching from had decent coverage, and I could always use it as a backup anyway. I also bought a power bank to ensure that my phone would not be powered off during the journey. I have to say, this is indeed the cheapest option.
Then came the camera. I wanted something light but still capable of taking decent shots. I had an old action cam lying around, so I figured, why not? I rigged up a little harness to keep it secure and pointed in the right direction.
The launch day finally arrived. With a bunch of friends, I found a wide-open field. Filling the balloon was a bit of a struggle – it’s bigger than you think! But we managed it, tied everything together securely, and let it go.
Watching it float up was incredible. We tracked its journey on my phone, and it went way higher than I expected. Apparently, these things can go up to 20-30 kilometers before they burst! That’s insane.
Eventually, the signal got weak, and we figured it was time to go find it. Following the last known location, we drove for a while, ending up in some random farmer’s field. And there it was, lying in the grass, camera still attached!
The photos? Well, some were blurry, some were just sky, but there were a few gems in there. Amazing views from way up high, stuff you’d never see from the ground. It wasn’t perfect, but it was definitely worth it.
This whole thing was a real learning experience. I’d definitely do it again, maybe with a better tracker next time. And who knows, maybe I’ll even try to get my ham radio license for that APRS thing. If you’re thinking of doing something like this, just go for it! It’s a blast.