Thread: space balloon / circuit help / awful diagram

Cynic, just because it's kind of important, did you get FAA clearance for that?
Not getting proper approval for this is criminally irresponsible.

You mean CFR101?

Sec. 101.5

Operations in prohibited or restricted areas.

No person may operate a moored balloon, kite, unmanned rocket, or unmanned free balloon in a prohibited or restricted area unless he has permission from the using or controlling agency, as appropriate.

US airspace is restricted. Not sure what specific section you're referring to. A bird is not a balloon launched by man.

101.1 says that the exclusions only apply to balloons with a diameter of less than 6 feet, and under a specific weight. The one in the picture from the link you provided is larger than that, and will only get bigger as it goes up. As near as I can tell your device doesn't meet any of the requirements to be waived from getting FAA clearance.
http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Gu...A?OpenDocument

Seriously, is this legal?

Originally Posted by cynic

I have a high altitude balloon project - See the last one here -> Launch DIY Space

That's a really cool project! Too many mountains and ocean to try around here.

Though it isn't the immediate problem, you need a diode across the relay coil. This will protect the transistor on the opto from the voltage spike produced when the relay is turned off.
If you were using a plain jane opto, you probably wouldn't need the relay at all. You may be able to use the existing in this way if one side of the radio's PTT switch is connected to battery minus.
Do you have a volt meter?
Can you read a schematic?

cynic, you have to satisfy ALL portions of the code, you can't just pick one and say it's okay.

You conveniently snipped the portion of the code that your balloon violates.

(1) Except as provided for in Sec. 101.7, any balloon that is moored to the surface of the earth or an object thereon and that has a diameter of more than 6 feet or a gas capacity of more than 115 cubic feet.

You still have to satisfy EVERY condition. Not just the ones you feel like.

I don't think his balloon is "moored to the Earth". That would be one heck of a long rope and a very tangled mess when it came down!

Please don't take offense to this kchriste, but I swear I'm gonna punch the next person that posts without reading previous posts and links in full. Cynic shouldn't be coy and hide behind the weight requirements siteing birds can weigh more, birds don't go ANYWHERE NEAR that height, they also at that height don't have such a cross sectionial area to hit, nor are they made out of modern high strength fabrics that could easily foul control surfaces.

Code of Federal Regulations

Sec. 101.1

Part 101 MOORED BALLOONS, KITES, UNMANNED ROCKETS AND UNMANNED FREE BALLOONS

Subpart A--General

Sec. 101.1

Applicability.

Originally Posted by Sceadwian

You conveniently snipped the portion of the code that your balloon violates.
Quote:
(1) Except as provided for in Sec. 101.7, any balloon that is moored to the surface of the earth or an object thereon and that has a diameter of more than 6 feet or a gas capacity of more than 115 cubic feet.

I don't understand your post in the context of this thread. What has the quote above got to do with your claim that he is in violation of the FAA rules?
And yes, I did read the links. And no, I'm not a Lawyer, but it looks like as long as the payload is less than 4 pounds and it is a free balloon etc, it is OK. Here I'll quote the whole thing. Highlight in bold the part I'm not getting, because I don't see the problem:

Sec. 101.1

Applicability.


(a) This part prescribes rules governing the operation in the United States, of the following:
(1) Except as provided for in Sec. 101.7, any balloon that is moored to the surface of the earth or an object thereon and that has a diameter of more than 6 feet or a gas capacity of more than 115 cubic feet.
(2) Except as provided for in Sec. 101.7, any kite that weighs more than 5 pounds and is intended to be flown at the end of a rope or cable.
(3) Any unmanned rocket except:
(i) Aerial firework displays; and,
(ii) Model rockets:
(a) Using not more than four ounces of propellant;
(b) Using a slow-burning propellant;
(c) Made of paper, wood, or breakable plastic, containing no substantial metal parts and weighing not more than 16 ounces, including the propellant; and
(d) Operated in a manner that does not create a hazard to persons, property, or other aircraft.
(4) Except as provided for in Sec. 101.7, any unmanned free balloon that--
(i) Carries a payload package that weighs more than four pounds and has a weight/size ratio of more than three ounces per square inch on any surface of the package, determined by dividing the total weight in ounces of the payload package by the area in square inches of its smallest surface;
(ii) Carries a payload package that weighs more than six pounds;
(iii) Carries a payload, of two or more packages, that weighs more than 12 pounds; or
(iv) Uses a rope or other device for suspension of the payload that requires an impact force of more than 50 pounds to separate the suspended payload from the balloon.
(b) For the purposes of this part, a gyroglider attached to a vehicle on the surface of the earth is considered to be a kite.

101.1(1)
http://icbnn.files.wordpress.com/200...t-img_1082.jpg

You seemed to miss 'or an object thereon'

Originally Posted by Sceadwian

101.1(1)
http://icbnn.files.wordpress.com/200...t-img_1082.jpg
You seemed to miss 'or an object thereon'

WHAT? Are you talking about the payload. ie: the styro cooler? The payload wasn't on the earth anymore. It was thousands of feet up in the air. If I'm still not getting it quote my previous post back to me and highlight the section in bold red type. One of us is losing it.

kchrite, the payload isn't the question the balloon itself is too large.

The size restriction only applies to a balloon that is moored to the surface of the earth.
They do not specify a maximum size for a unmanned free balloon.

Alright, technically I have to agree with that, but there's the whole 101.7 section to deal with as well.
FAR Part 101 Sec. 101.7 effective as of 06/29/1963