In the past I used a darkroom timer that was set to go off every minute.
The challenge has been on the days when the balloon will move out of the
field or through scattered clouds. If I keep my eye to the theodolite
and keep the elevation and azimuth knobs moving at a constant rate then
momentary loss say due to clouds, power lines or UFOs can be worked
through as I can pick it up on the on the other side as long as I keep
turning the knobs.

I have been able to peak the signal using my dish and
read the elevation and azimuth display to re acquire.

I also predict the balloon track by using the NOAA READY predicted ETA
40 km sounding, running it through a program called balloon track and
then running my own program that calculates the apparent position from
my location. sometimes thats all I need.

The other week I saw a burst a little past sunset and it was
spectacular when the balloon turned in to a field of stars.

I will obtain a voice recorder.

Dan




R. Martin wrote:
Pete Ware wrote:

In article E9sld.110274$cJ3.88730@fed1read06,
Dan Mckenna wrote:


rates for a standard balloon and fill are known. I would feel better as
an observer just to have a second observer in case I lost track or wrote
down the wrong reading, as I have. I find the mistake when I plot the
data if it's really off, but a second observer would really help.

I had 2 mini-cassette recorders - one with a timed count so I didn't
have to keep an eye on the clock. The other, with voice activation, for
recording the elevation and azimuth. Was a great idea, esp. with any
strong winds aloft. This one sat on the base of the theodolite - right
next to my mouth. That made it so much easier to record the data!

Pete


What amateur astronomers who are occultation observers do is have a
shortwave playing WWV time signals and record their voices and the
signals. You need good reception, of course. It eliminates problems
with variations in tape speed, but I don't know if you need that
degree of accuracy for theodolite work.

Cheers,
Russell