oldradioguy2010
Member
With the balloon fest coming up in Oct.
What frequency would I monitor out that way.
FRS]MURS?
DW
So. Cal.
What frequency would I monitor out that way.
FRS]MURS?
DW
So. Cal.
Balloon fest
- Thread starter oldradioguy2010
- Start date
ChrisABQ
...
Along with MURS, FRS and GMRS, these are the official frequencies: Businesses (Bernalillo County) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference
oldradioguy2010
Member
That great Chris.
I think the balloon fest page covers all.
Thank you
DW
So. Cal
I think the balloon fest page covers all.
Thank you
DW
So. Cal
What does "Zebra Launch Director" indicate?
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta for detailed info, including pilot op manual.
Launch directors typically wear black/white striped (zebra) shirts for on-field I'd, making them easy to spot.
Launch directors typically wear black/white striped (zebra) shirts for on-field I'd, making them easy to spot.
Ok, that's a start. Why does one launch director frequency have the zebra label and the rest of the launch directors, the majority, do not?
I've been scanning/listening to balloon fiesta for many years at this point, I quite enjoy it.
The links above are a great start. Here are some of my own notes & observations depending on what you're interested in
- the Ops channel is super useful and entertaining. Especially if you're down at the event. Its a very strong signal and easy to pick up away from the field. You'll hear on this frequency far a head of time if they are delaying or cancelling flights compared to other means.
- the Parking channel is also useful, especially if you're driving in the area. Strong signal
- the Zebra / Launch channels are simplex and just HT rubbery ducky power levels. I've never been successful picking them up from a ways off. That's due to my location vs the terrain vs their RF levels. I haven't spent much time on these channels. When I'm at the event, I'm looking at balloons
instead of listening to all the radio channels
- There is FRS/GMRS activity, but mostly families attending the event. Occasionally you'll find some balloon traffic when the balloons are trying to land across the city. This is usually the out of town balloon crews.
- There are some business licensed freqs for the local balloon companies that aren't on that list/links above. For a number of years they weren't used at all, which always confused me. Starting last year though, the balloon companies REALLY started using them a lot. These channels are pilot to pilot and pilot to ground tactical channels. Mainly sharing WX conditions aloft and planning tactical details for landing.
When I attend the event in person( which isn't always ) I always have at least 1 radio on me, usually 2. One for tactical communications with my family and 1 to listen to the Ops/Parking channel. The Ops & Parking channels are very useful from a situational awareness perspective. I've never had a single problem carrying the radios into the event( past security ) or while on the field. That being said, try to look reasonable and not stand out like the many funny pictures shared on the forum, there is a pile of LEO/Feds/Security at this event and they will come talk to you if you're standing out too much or causing concern among st other attendees.
The links above are a great start. Here are some of my own notes & observations depending on what you're interested in
- the Ops channel is super useful and entertaining. Especially if you're down at the event. Its a very strong signal and easy to pick up away from the field. You'll hear on this frequency far a head of time if they are delaying or cancelling flights compared to other means.
- the Parking channel is also useful, especially if you're driving in the area. Strong signal
- the Zebra / Launch channels are simplex and just HT rubbery ducky power levels. I've never been successful picking them up from a ways off. That's due to my location vs the terrain vs their RF levels. I haven't spent much time on these channels. When I'm at the event, I'm looking at balloons
instead of listening to all the radio channels- There is FRS/GMRS activity, but mostly families attending the event. Occasionally you'll find some balloon traffic when the balloons are trying to land across the city. This is usually the out of town balloon crews.
- There are some business licensed freqs for the local balloon companies that aren't on that list/links above. For a number of years they weren't used at all, which always confused me. Starting last year though, the balloon companies REALLY started using them a lot. These channels are pilot to pilot and pilot to ground tactical channels. Mainly sharing WX conditions aloft and planning tactical details for landing.
When I attend the event in person( which isn't always ) I always have at least 1 radio on me, usually 2. One for tactical communications with my family and 1 to listen to the Ops/Parking channel. The Ops & Parking channels are very useful from a situational awareness perspective. I've never had a single problem carrying the radios into the event( past security ) or while on the field. That being said, try to look reasonable and not stand out like the many funny pictures shared on the forum, there is a pile of LEO/Feds/Security at this event and they will come talk to you if you're standing out too much or causing concern among st other attendees.
oldradioguy2010
Member
Thank you for your input Serial14.
We are making serious plans this October.
As always, my HT gets packed along.
DW
So. Cal.
We are making serious plans this October.
As always, my HT gets packed along.
DW
So. Cal.
oldradioguy2010
Member
BC 7801, thank you for the flyer.
This too is helpful.
DW
So. Cal
This too is helpful.
DW
So. Cal
I lived in New Mexico, although 120 miles outside of Albuquerque so it was not so easy to drop into the big city very often. I moved from the state in the fall of 1981.
Does anyone know when the festival began? I can't remember if it was an event in the four years I lived in the state.
Does anyone know when the festival began? I can't remember if it was an event in the four years I lived in the state.
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2004
- Messages
- 153
1972
History
balloonfiesta.com
There's also a page with lists of pilots from various years.
Pilot Participation
balloonfiesta.com
1972
History
There's also a page with lists of pilots from various years.
Pilot Participation
Thanks for the information. The festival was going on while I was there. We never tried to attend, but we lived in a remote area and going to the big city was not something we looked forward to. Still, I wish we had gone. We did manage to get a short balloon ride when someone brought their balloon to town and offered to let some ride. He was accepting "donations" for the cost of the propane. Such a deal!
Steverinnm
Newbie
Attachment 1:
Radio Reference indicates the following frequencies for 2023 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta - (AIBF) operations
......last updated by Radio Reference May 2023.
Attachment 2:
FCC License Database - Balloonmeister announcements frequency ("FIESTA") for Pilots & Crews, and AIBF frequencies available for Pilot <> Chase crew use during flights ("AIBF-1" thru "AIBF-9").
Attachment 3:
FCC License Database - Page 1 of 2 - Frequencies assigned to AIBF (2018-2025). There is only 1 known frequency assigned and in use at Fiesta under this license: "AIBF - Command Post". The other frequencies do not otherwise correspond to any other Fiesta activities since 2018 FCC assignment, so assuming Attachment 1 frequencies may still be in use for the 2023 Fiesta. (Would be helpful if anyone can figure out what these AIBF "unassigned" frequencies are used for!).
Attachment4:
FCC License Database - Page 2 of 2 to Attachment 3
----------------
BTW:
2023 will be my 33rd year piloting a balloon at Fiesta (since 1989 - Covid "postponed" the 2020 Fiesta till 2021) and my 25th year flying "Dawn Patrol" before the Mass Ascensions!
73 de Steve - WB9ZRE
Radio Reference indicates the following frequencies for 2023 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta - (AIBF) operations
......last updated by Radio Reference May 2023.
Attachment 2:
FCC License Database - Balloonmeister announcements frequency ("FIESTA") for Pilots & Crews, and AIBF frequencies available for Pilot <> Chase crew use during flights ("AIBF-1" thru "AIBF-9").
Attachment 3:
FCC License Database - Page 1 of 2 - Frequencies assigned to AIBF (2018-2025). There is only 1 known frequency assigned and in use at Fiesta under this license: "AIBF - Command Post". The other frequencies do not otherwise correspond to any other Fiesta activities since 2018 FCC assignment, so assuming Attachment 1 frequencies may still be in use for the 2023 Fiesta. (Would be helpful if anyone can figure out what these AIBF "unassigned" frequencies are used for!).
Attachment4:
FCC License Database - Page 2 of 2 to Attachment 3
----------------
BTW:
2023 will be my 33rd year piloting a balloon at Fiesta (since 1989 - Covid "postponed" the 2020 Fiesta till 2021) and my 25th year flying "Dawn Patrol" before the Mass Ascensions!
73 de Steve - WB9ZRE
Attachments
-
2023 - ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA Frequencies-1.jpg -
FCC ULS License - Industrial_Business Pool Conventional License - WQWS547 - ALBUQUERQUE INTERN...jpg -
FCC ULS License - Industrial_Business Pool Conventional License - WQWI437 - ALBUQUERQUE INTERN...jpg -
FCC ULS License - Industrial_Business Pool Conventional License - WQWI437 - ALBUQUERQUE INTERN...jpg
Last edited:
Steverinnm
Newbie
I just discovered that the Ballon Fiesta Park frequencies at the top of my Attachment 1 in my previous comment are "leased" frequencies provided by US Radio LTD. (under FCC Callsign: WQDB522) out of Scottsdale, AZ.
Likely AIBF is leasing pre-programmed radios from US Radio LTD. for two weeks during Fiesta each year, rarther than purchasing and maintaining 150+ commercial HTs, mics, and earpieces. Also makes sense that they are using the one fixed base frequency from their FCC WQWI437 frequencies, as they probably use "AIBF - Command Post" year-round from the Balloon Fiesta Office building. They are also using their 10 AIBF WQWS547 assigned frequencies as they only need a single UHF transceiver for the "Fiesta" frequency, as the other 9 frequencies are furnished for radios furnished by registered Pilots & Chase Crews during the 10-day event.
Likely AIBF is leasing pre-programmed radios from US Radio LTD. for two weeks during Fiesta each year, rarther than purchasing and maintaining 150+ commercial HTs, mics, and earpieces. Also makes sense that they are using the one fixed base frequency from their FCC WQWI437 frequencies, as they probably use "AIBF - Command Post" year-round from the Balloon Fiesta Office building. They are also using their 10 AIBF WQWS547 assigned frequencies as they only need a single UHF transceiver for the "Fiesta" frequency, as the other 9 frequencies are furnished for radios furnished by registered Pilots & Chase Crews during the 10-day event.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2004
- Messages
- 153
"AIBF WX" freq
119.475
Granted for this year's event under STA license WRYP432.
119.475
Granted for this year's event under STA license WRYP432.
In addition. Scan GMRS and FRS as recommended, but also MURS.
A lot of air to ground comms from the crews, not all crews lease the official radios.
A lot of air to ground comms from the crews, not all crews lease the official radios.
Cameron314
Member
- Joined
- May 30, 2003
- Messages
- 247
Steverinnm
Newbie
Balloon and chase crews do not lease "official" radios, We have no use for AIBF radios. We purchase our own aircraft and personal crew radios or radios are provided by our corporate sponsors as part of the corporate balloon contract package. Only a portion of pilots/crews use the FRS/GMRS/MURS/business band itinerate or AIBF's furnished frequencies. Most of us are now licensed for other "quiet" frequencies, such as Amateur Radio: 2m, 1.25m, & 70cm (and/or just use cell phones), so that we don't have to "fight" to be heard on over-crowded frequencies.
The AIBF WX frequency (119.475) has been used for the past several years. This is NOAA forecast weather info compiled with current launch field conditions and winds aloft information added (AIBF compiles data from one or more locally installed weather stations and launches several white balloons before dawn, carrying a green glowstick to optically/computer track, to determine wind speed and wind direction at various altitudes above the field).
One frequency that is not commonly known is the Dawn Patrol frequency which this year is aircraft 123.5MHz. We are using this frequency for our program ground setup checks, cold inflation, hot inflation, launch, and flight operations and any "situations" during flights. Our chatter is pretty boring pilot chatter, but there for the monitoring between 5:15am and 7:00am before the mass asscension balloons start laying out and inflating.
The mass asscension pilot briefing is held at each morning at 6:00am at the base of the Briefing Tower (far west side of the field, west of launch squares N11 and P11, just south of Key Grab Road and west of West Wind Road on the launch field. Balloon Glow pilot meetings are held at 5:30pm during days featuring balloon glows. If you want the inside scoop for these activities, wander over during the briefings and hang out to the rear of the pilots (hey, you might even be able to photo-bomb the 2023 pilot group photo!).
We hold our Dawn Patrol pilot briefings at a different place on the field. It is a small group and we are in a "huddle" formation so we can clearly hear our briefings. Sorry, spectator and other pilot/crew participation is not encouraged as we don't have the luxury of an amplified sound system to over-power the excited spectators and arriving chase vehicle noises on the field.
Now for some trivia: What was the nickname of the balloonists who flew Dawn Patrol, before Dawn Patrol was officially organized?
Answer: Aw, come-on, take a guess before you look at the answer below!...
The tradition of Dawn Patorl began on the old dirt launch field (now known as the large AIBF RV parking area south of the present launch field immediately south of Alameda Blvd NE/Hwy 528) back in the eary 1990s. We were a rag-tag informal group of AIBF registered pilots known as "The Renegades".
The AIBF WX frequency (119.475) has been used for the past several years. This is NOAA forecast weather info compiled with current launch field conditions and winds aloft information added (AIBF compiles data from one or more locally installed weather stations and launches several white balloons before dawn, carrying a green glowstick to optically/computer track, to determine wind speed and wind direction at various altitudes above the field).
One frequency that is not commonly known is the Dawn Patrol frequency which this year is aircraft 123.5MHz. We are using this frequency for our program ground setup checks, cold inflation, hot inflation, launch, and flight operations and any "situations" during flights. Our chatter is pretty boring pilot chatter, but there for the monitoring between 5:15am and 7:00am before the mass asscension balloons start laying out and inflating.
The mass asscension pilot briefing is held at each morning at 6:00am at the base of the Briefing Tower (far west side of the field, west of launch squares N11 and P11, just south of Key Grab Road and west of West Wind Road on the launch field. Balloon Glow pilot meetings are held at 5:30pm during days featuring balloon glows. If you want the inside scoop for these activities, wander over during the briefings and hang out to the rear of the pilots (hey, you might even be able to photo-bomb the 2023 pilot group photo!).
We hold our Dawn Patrol pilot briefings at a different place on the field. It is a small group and we are in a "huddle" formation so we can clearly hear our briefings. Sorry, spectator and other pilot/crew participation is not encouraged as we don't have the luxury of an amplified sound system to over-power the excited spectators and arriving chase vehicle noises on the field.
Now for some trivia: What was the nickname of the balloonists who flew Dawn Patrol, before Dawn Patrol was officially organized?
Answer: Aw, come-on, take a guess before you look at the answer below!...
The tradition of Dawn Patorl began on the old dirt launch field (now known as the large AIBF RV parking area south of the present launch field immediately south of Alameda Blvd NE/Hwy 528) back in the eary 1990s. We were a rag-tag informal group of AIBF registered pilots known as "The Renegades".
I hope your use of Amateur radio frequencies is legal, that is everyone transmitting has an Amateur Radio License.
