Balloon Data to be Presented at NCUR

One of our own, Michele Coker – KK4NRB, has been invited back to the National Conference for Undergrad Research (NCUR) to present findings from the Catamount Balloon Flights. “(it is) a HUGE honor to be chosen on a national level” Coker said, Michele attended NCUR last year for the first time where her work was published through the group’s Proceedings. Catamount 7 (the most recent flight), launched Feb. 1, spent nearly a week in the Atlantic Ocean before being recovered and sent back to the mountains of North Carolina. Coker thanks everyone involved in the flights for their support from assembly, to testing, through the recoveries of each flight.

Though all equipment from the Catamount 7 is a total loss, it seems that all data was recoverable, and we look forward to see what we might learn from what we can recover.

Catamount 7 Drifting in the Atlantic Ocean after impact. To be later recovered in Nags Head, NC

Catamount 7 Drifting in the Atlantic Ocean after impact. To be later recovered in Nags Head, NC

Catamount 7 Recovery Status

Catamount 7, originally projected to land within the central area state of North Carolina, has come to rest just northeast of Quinby Inlet, VA – in the Atlantic Ocean. The US Coast Guard has been alerted to the payload and is aware of it’s position, and we hope that one of their vessels (or perhaps another HAM or Good Samaritan) will be able to recover and facilitate return of the payload. If recovered, please send email to email at WCURadio.com or call us at 828.515.1426. The APRS Beacon continued to function for hours after landing, however it is believed that the batteries inside the payload are now likely depleted. Any further information pertaining to the Cat 7 or it’s recovery status will be amended to this post.

UPDATE: 2.8.14 11:28AM – Payload Discovered on Nags Head Beach, Nags Head Police are in the process of recovering the payload at this time, Much thanks to Penny H, and Doreen D, of Poquoson VA for finding and reporting the Balloon. We Expect to have it back sometime soon with the help of these two great locals!

UPDATE: 2.13.14 2:03PM – Payload Housing found for Radio Tracking Payload. The gear from this box appears to have floated (or sank) away, and the elements installed on the box were not enough to hold the remaining electronic inside. This box was found by Hugh R, of Southern Shores NC.

Catamount 7, Scientific Payload Discovered this morning around 11:30AM by Penny H, and Doreen D. Photo Credits to Them as well

Catamount 7, Scientific Payload Discovered this morning around 11:30AM by Penny H, and Doreen D. Photo Credits to Them as well, Shared with permission.

Here is Penny at the Nags Head Police Dept. With the Catamount 7 Scientific Payload, What an awesome sight!

Here is Penny at the Nags Head Police Dept. With the Catamount 7 Scientific Payload, What an awesome sight!

Doreen With Catamount 7

Doreen With Catamount 7

Radio Tracking Payload Housing, Photo Courtesy of Hugh R, Southern Shores NC

Radio Tracking Payload Housing, Photo Courtesy of Hugh R, Southern Shores NC

Radio Tracking Payload Housing, Photo Courtesy of Hugh R, Southern Shores NC

Radio Tracking Payload Housing, Photo Courtesy of Hugh R, Southern Shores NC