N2JNT-2 - Tracking a balloon flight.

This afternoon, July 22, 2018, my station digipeated a single signal from a balloon 54.7 km south of my location.  The balloon's course indicated it would sail almost directly above my QTH so I grabbed a pair of binoculars and headed outdoors.

Unfortunately, I could not see the balloon, the altitude was in excess of 25,000 feet and it was moving slightly northeast at between 40 and 50 miles per hour.  Additionally, I suspect it was not very big so there was probably little chance of seeing it anyway.

The balloon, it appears, was launched from somewhere in New Jersey and during the course of the afternoon, I watched it pass over the Canadian border and head toward the village of Trois-Rivieres south of Quebec City.

The map above shows the path of the balloon: the straight black line going into the circle in the upper right.  My station, NJ2NT-2, is at the center of the large circle and has yellow path lines leading to it. 

Also, looking at the map you can see the level of APRS activity in the northeastern United States. The APRS system is pretty elaborate considering that it was designed, built and is maintained by Amateur Radio operators for the benefit of other Amateur Radio operators at no charge.  It is strictly a labor of love.

As or this moment the balloon is well into Canada at an altitude in excess of 28,000 feet.  I just have to wonder if, or how, this ham intends to retrieve his equipment.  In any event, it will be interesting to see where it drops off the system.  Bon Voyage. 

July 23, 2018 13:07 GMT

P.S.  This morning it is heading almost due east toward the open ocean.

July 23, 2018, 15:12 GMT

July 23, 2018, 18:02

July 23, 2018, 21:52
Passed over Deadman's Bay and well on its way to Europe, perhaps Spain, France, or Portugal.

The image below shows the track and the final position recorded by the US APRS  system.
 The European APRS system operates on a different 2-meter frequency so I do not expect to see any additional reports.