405.030

[pro106import]

EPIRP use 406 MHz not 405 MHz.

Yeah you got a point there lol. My bad. Sorry Marcy, continue on. Weather Balloon it must be then.

 

[Marcy57]

I,m still learning this R8600 but thats what I got maybe I,m off?..Marcy

 

[dlwtrunked]

You are looking at a DFM-17 weather balloon, it is now showing at the website. I have two--make that three sitting next to me.
Multipsk (professional version) can decode with an SDR (by selecting DFM-17) as will (better) SondeMonitor. I have used both.
You can do it with an R8600 (I have one also) but I use an AirSpy SDR as that is easier.
Here is what one looks like.
DFM-17

 

[Marcy57]

Yeah you got a point there lol. My bad. Sorry Marcy, continue on. Weather Balloon it must be then.

NP...Pro106...I appreciate the input ....oh by the way gotta put this in there (Go LEAFS!)

 

[Marcy57]

You are looking at a DFM-17 weather balloon, it is now showing at the website.

I will check it on that web site..

 

[Marcy57]

wow spot on! 405.030 vy cool...very interesting...Marcy

 

[pro106import]

If you are interested in decoding, here is a good RadioReference thread

Sonde Radiosonde Decoder (PC & Mac)

Sonde Radiosonde Decoder (PC & Mac) Free to try Decode radio transmissions from radiosondes (weather balloons) https://www.blackcatsystems.com/software/radiosonde-decoder.html

forums.radioreference.com

 

[Marcy57]

I see it is out in the ocean now going by that web site tracker?...Marcy

 

[dlwtrunked]

If you are interested in decoding, here is a good RadioReference thread

Sonde Radiosonde Decoder (PC & Mac)

Sonde Radiosonde Decoder (PC & Mac) Free to try Decode radio transmissions from radiosondes (weather balloons) https://www.blackcatsystems.com/software/radiosonde-decoder.html

forums.radioreference.com

Click on it and found some of my older posts /

 

[dlwtrunked]

I see it is out in the ocean now going by that web site tracker?...Marcy

Make sure you click on the balloon to see info.

 

[Marcy57]

Make sure you click on the balloon to see info.

yes says 405.030 mhz

 

[dlwtrunked]

I regularly watch balloons out of NWS Sterling, VA (Dulles Airport), Wallops Is. (NWS at NASA), VA, and Roanoke (actually NWS Blacksburg), and saw 3 from U. of VA at Charlottesville and several from a DC area university that has a joint operation with NWC. Attached photo I took at
Newport, NC. He is launching a DFM-17 that is behind him while he raises the long rope. the orange/red is the parachute.

 

[Marcy57]

ok I see tks for the pics!...helps to kinda know what I,m hearing in a way?...Marcy

 

[dlwtrunked]

ok I see tks for the pics!...helps to kinda know what I,m hearing in a way?...Marcy

The actual electronics package is small with a short thin wire antenna and usually under 1/10 watt output but way up in the air can be often heard over 100 miles. Height rules.

 

[dlwtrunked]

Here is a DFM-17 like you are hearing. This one was released out of Roanoke/Blacksburg. I tracked its data and recovered it in a field in Orange County, VA. You can see the thin antenna wire below it. The rope and silver holding the temperature and humidity probe are at the top.

 

[ecps92]

400-406 is a mixed bag, if you have the May issue of "The Spectrum Monitor"
Chris (how watches these forums) did a recent revisit of this portion of the Spectrum

Mostly Telem/Sats but there has been voice found (and not just the CCR's)

Nice Catch

I cpy like a Trunk sounding system on this freq. I cannot find any info on it
anywhere? anybody cpy this?? tks 73,s Marcy
(actually to be honest? not sure what it sounds like but it reminds me of that)

 

[Marcy57]

I went out for my morning 3 miler came back and it,s gone now, well glad I caught it when I did it was vy strong hr
tks to all everybody have a good day!! Marcy

 

[dave3825]

You are looking at a DFM-17 weather balloon, it is now showing at the website. I have two--make that three sitting next to me.

This one was released out of Roanoke/Blacksburg. I tracked its data and recovered it in a field in Orange County, VA.

I looked on the map that was posted and saw a few chase cars. You said you have a few of these electronics packages. Don't they want them back and ever come looking for them? Have they ever tracked one to your house lol? How long is battery life?

The actual electronics package is small with a short thin wire antenna and usually under 1/10 watt output but way up in the air can be often heard over 100 miles. Height rules.

How often do these transmit? Is it continuous?

 

[dlwtrunked]

I looked on the map that was posted and saw a few chase cars. You said you have a few of these electronics packages. Don't they want them back and ever come looking for them? Have they ever tracked one to your house lol? How long is battery life?
How often do these transmit? Is it continuous?

They used to want them back and have a large bag and directions to drop them off at the post office. But now they just say "Dispose of properly" on their side. I think these are now less expensive for them (and the units are much smaller.) They use a couple CR123 batteries that last several hours. I did have one pass over my house and that one has been high (>50 ft) in a tree in the wood about 15 miles away (I tracked its reported GPS position and got in the area to get the signal before it stopped transmitting--note that when it gets low in altitude, the website trackers will usually lose the signal). They transmit continuously once turned on (but I have seen a report that they do time out rather than the batteries going dead--but at least for some, I know that is not true). Releases are twice a day (different locations use different 400-406 MHz frequencies) worldwide for observation times of 0000 UTC and 1200 UTC to get a worldwide snapshot at those two times--this means they will be usually released during the hour before those times. However, university, research, and even the NWS will sometimes release at other times doing research.

 

[dave3825]

note that when it gets low in altitude, the website trackers will usually lose the signal).

Clicking on the balloon in question says 21 GNSS svc used. Would satellites be able to track when low to the ground?

Would be cool to mod one with a longer lasting battery and release it back up on a windy day. I think I would like to add one to my collection of stuff. Will be watching the map more often.