How to Track Solar Balloons
If you have your solar balloon built, congratulations--this is the easy part. You'll use a GPS-enabled mobile phone to track the path your balloon takes across the country.
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Things You'll Need
- Wheriphone G560 locator phone
- Heavy duty ziplock bag
- Duct tape
- Energizer Energi-To-Go Battery Operated Instant Cell Phone Charger
- AA batteries (2)
- Dry rice
Instructions
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1
Buy the phone. The Wherifone G560 GPS Locator Phone won the Consumer Electronics "Best of Innovations" and "Best in Mobile Electronics: Safety & Security" award in 2005. It's designed to let the caregivers of children and senior citizens find the bearer of the phone by logging into their computer and activating the GPS. You'll be using the Wherifone to track your solar balloon from the comfort of your home. Purchase the phone online for $27.50 at Buy.com, at 2010 prices, or buy an equivalent phone. The Wherifone G560 is economical compared to phones of similar function, which can cost hundreds of dollars.
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2
Activate the phone to enable the tracking service. There is a one-time activation fee. Check online to familiarize yourself with the tracking software. Make sure that the phone is transmitting properly.
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3
Assemble the battery charger. Put two new AA batteries in the charger. Plug it into the phone. This gives the locator phone 12 days of stand-by battery life.
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4
Weatherproof the tracker. Put the phone and charger into a heavy-duty ziplock bag to prevent water damage from weather or condensation. Toss in a small handful of dry rice. The rice grains will absorb any moisture that does creep in and keep it out of the electronics. Duct tape the bag's seams.
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5
Attach the tracker to the balloon. Tape it below the balloon close to the balloon's center of gravity. Check that it is out of the way and not interfering with any other gear you may have attached, such as cameras.
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6
Release the balloon. The locator phone will continue to transmit the balloon's location, which you'll be able to look up from your computer.
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Tips & Warnings
Double-check the equipment before you seal it in the bag or attach it. Make sure the phone is transmitting, that you can check it online and that the battery charger is powering the phone. Having to undo a bunch of duct tape to tinker with electronics is no picnic.
References
- Photo Credit handheld gps image by Christopher Dodge from Fotolia.com
