Field Day 2024

With good support from both club members and many interested visitors from the community, we survived 100 degree plus temperatures and put another Field Day under our belt. While Bob (K6DGQ) and Mike (N6ZW) pounded the key, others took their turn at one of the sideband rigs.

Kristen (KD6SUN) and Emelia (KI6YYT) made sure we were well fed and hydrated (breakfast, lunch and a hot, catered dinner). And Dave (WB6TOU) helped our younger ones launch a communications balloon. (see detailed tracking information below).

Special “thanks” to Craig Thompson (KM6LIA) for providing an ideal location … complete with an air conditioned retreat that kept some of us alive during the heat advisory.

Event Promotion
Lodi News Sentinel: June 18th, 2024
Lodi News Sentinel: June 25th, 2024

How to Track the Field Day Balloon –
Call Sign: KO6CJG

1. The balloon launched during Field Day can be tracked using the website www.traquito.github.io

2. After linking to the tracking site, click on “Spot Search” and a new page will open.

3. The new page will not represent the Field Day balloon. The tracking system requires new data in the heading that is specific to the Field Day balloon. Enter the parameters as shown in the graphic below.

Note: The beginning date is any date just before the launch date of 2024/06/22 and the end date can be anything just after the date on which you are now checking the system. The channel number tells the system the frequency and the time slot for the transmissions.

4. After entering the correct information, click the “Search” button next to the “Call Sign” box and a new map will appear with the track and current (or final) location of our balloon. It may take a little time, so be patient.

After the map appears, you may scroll down to see more data that the balloon is sending to ground stations along its way around the world.

Be aware that this beacon operates on 10 meters and at the time of this writing, the reception is not great.

20 meters would have been more complete, but the call sign for this balloon is a tech license and he is not allowed to operate on 20 meter.

Other balloons flying from the team from N6SJV are KB6USJ with channel 515 and K6CMM with channel 169. Both of these are on 20 meters so make sure that band is selected.

Happy Tracking!