Online Tracking of ACES Flights

The ACES flight package generally includes two independent beacons that broadcast GPS latitude, longitude and altitude information in the APRS (Automatic Position Reporting System) format. The beacons additionally transmit telemetry which reports battery voltages, temperatures, and pressure. Each beacon has a slightly different telemetry format.

Ham radio operators of the Palestine/Anderson County Amateur Radio Club as well as others throughout east Texas provide the facilities to repeat these data over the internet. The links below allow you to track an ACES payload during flight operations.

Ham radio operators with APRS packet decoding equipment may listen for these signals directly on a frequency of 144.390 MHz (FM). Signals should be audible within about 300 miles of Palestine TX once the balloon reaches 50,000 feet or so.

ACES-11 Flight Vehicle

Find position using the primary beacon

http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/find.cgi?call=K5LSU-11

Vehicle trail using the primary beacon

http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/track1.cgi?call=K5LSU-11

Telemetry from primary beacon

http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/raw.cgi?call=K5LSU-11

example telemetry format: K5LSU-11>APRS,WIDE1*,WIDE2-2,qAR,KB5LS-1:T#nnn,aa.aa,bb.bb,ccc,ddd,tttt

where nnn=telemetry record number
aa.aa=main battery volts
bb.bb=GPS battery volts
ccc=inside temperature in kelvins
ddd=outside temperature in kelvins
tttt=timing reference

Find position using the secondary beacon

http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/find.cgi?call=W5YW-11

Vehicle trail using the secondary beacon

http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/track1.cgi?call=W5YW-11

Telemetry from secondary beacon

http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/raw.cgi?call=W5YW-11

example telemetry format: W5GIX-11>APRS,WIDE1*,WIDE2-2,qAR,KB5LS-1:T#nnn,aa.aa,bbbb,ccc,ddd,tttt

where nnn=telemetry record number
aa.aa=main battery volts
bbbb = pressure in millibars
ccc=inside temperature, in kelvins
ddd=outside temperature on top of enclosure, in kelvins
tttt=timing reference

Find position relative to VOR stations at Frankston TX and Lufkin TX (NOTAM information)

Primary Beacon

Secondary Beacon