Today, I decided to get into something I’ve been curious about for a while – meteorological balloons. You know, those big balloons that carry weather instruments way up into the sky? Yeah, those. I wanted to see if I could get my hands on one and maybe even launch it myself.
Finding a Balloon
First things first, I needed to find a place that sells these things. I did a quick search online and found out that there are basically two types: smaller “pilot” balloons and larger “sounding” balloons. They are usually made of natural rubber and can be stored for years if kept in a cool, dark place. I also learned that the National Weather Service uses these balloons all the time, along with other tools like radar and satellites, to observe the weather.
I checked out a few online stores. One place called “NovaLynx” had both types, but I wasn’t sure which one I needed. Then I saw some listings on regular shopping sites. I even found some “professional quality” ones, but they were pretty expensive. There were also some cheaper options, even party balloons that looked similar. I ended up finding a place called “Atlantic Weather Balloons” that seemed to specialize in these, and they bragged about their high-quality latex. Another place called “Scientific Sales” also popped up.
Choosing and Buying
After comparing prices and reading some descriptions, I decided to go with a smaller pilot balloon, just to start. I figured it would be easier to handle, and I wasn’t planning on sending it up with any fancy instruments just yet. I placed an order online, and it said it would arrive in a couple of weeks. I also learned you can use satellite trackers, APRS trackers, or a cell phone to track the balloon, but I decided to worry about that later.
Waiting for Delivery
Now it’s just a waiting game. I’m pretty excited to see this balloon in person and start planning my little experiment. I’ll keep you guys updated on how it goes. Maybe I’ll even try to launch it and see how high it goes! Who knows, this could be the start of a new hobby. Stay tuned, folks!