Hot Air Balloons

[WK4U]

Saw two balloons in the air this morning over Atlanta. Didn't have a scanner with me at the time, but wondered if anyone local knows a common frequency they use? Perhaps 123.450? Maybe GMRS or some licensed narrowband frequency? Maybe even ATC?

Tim

 

[DaveIN]

Balloon Ops. - The RadioReference Wiki

Also scan the "Special" service search and Itinerant frequencies for chase ops.

 

[b7spectra]

B98.5% don't carry radios and the ones that do are either FRS or Itenerant to talk to their chase crews.

 

[mancow]

Last ones I heard were on 151.625 for what it's worth.

 

[KB7MIB]

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I used to be on a hot air balloon crew. We used CB radios. Other crews used various VHF or UHF business band itinerants. (Although it isn't legal to use any of the MURS channels onboard an aircraft, and a hot air balloon is an aircraft, some do.)

 

[KB7MIB]

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I also met a crew at a balloon festival in Yuma, AZ once that used a local, closed Ham repeater.

 

[KB7MIB]

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There are 2-3 specific airband channels set aside for licensed air-ground use by hot air balloons and chase crews. I don't recall what they are. The wiki link above may have them, but it doesn't work on my phone.