Amateur radio education received attention in San Diego on October 17 when members of the Mt. Carmel High School Amateur Radio Club participated in a high-altitude balloon launch. The balloon, carrying equipment associated with amateur radio call sign K6GO, reached approximately 17.5 miles above Earth before bursting. Its payload then descended by parachute and landed near Julian, California, about 60 miles from the launch site. Members of the public were able to monitor the flight using an online tracking system that receives location and telemetry data transmitted through amateur radio.
The launch was part of the San Diego Repeater Association’s annual Hamtastic event, which brings together amateur radio operators and clubs for demonstrations and public activities. The project gave students an opportunity to work with radio communications and atmospheric research while gaining experience with technology used in real-world scientific experiments.
