ARRL NEWS - Continued Timely ARRL news items for all members - from sources as noted at end of each article,

"Spirit of Knoxville" Sees Successful Launch

The trans-Atlantic balloon flight of the "Spirit of Knoxville IV" < http://www.spiritofknoxville.com/ > launched into orbit on March 11 at 0200 UTC (10 PM EDT March 10). The balloon, designed to stay aloft for more than 24 hours, was successfully inserted into the current jet stream at normal flight altitudes of 30,000-40,000 feet. On Wednesday, March 12, it had made two-thirds of its journey and crossed the tectonic plate to Europe. Organizers hoped the balloon would make [it] to Europe, but after 40 hours and 3300 miles, the balloon lost altitude late Wednesday and went into the ocean as it neared Ireland. Using radio frequencies, the balloon transmitted data detailing its current location, distance traveled, speed, height and health of the balloon. The balloon's payload consisted of hand-made computers and radios, along with a GPS and self-authored software. The onboard computer gathered such information from the GPS as altitude, speed and temperature; the computer then determined whether the balloon needed to drop weight to maintain its altitude and sent this information, via Amateur Radio frequencies, to volunteers around the globe. (Excerpt from The ARRL Letter, Vol 27, No 10, dated March 14, 2008) "Hints and Kinks"

Do you have an idea or a simple project that has improved your operating? Maybe you've taken something commonly found around the home and developed a ham radio use for it? Why not share your hints with fellow hams in "Hints and Kinks," a monthly column in QST. If we publish your hint, you will receive $20. Send your hints via e-mail to < h&k@arrl.org > or to ARRL Headquarters, Attn: "Hints and Kinks," 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111. Please include your name, call sign, complete mailing address, daytime telephone number and e-mail address. Items in "Hints and Kinks" have not been tested by QST or ARRL unless otherwise stated. Although we can't guarantee that hints published will work for every situation, QST makes every effort to screen for harmful information. (Excerpt from The ARRL Letter, Vol 27, No 12, dated March 28, 2008)
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