Last week we mentioned that the https://traquito.github.io website had been taken off-line making it more challenging to get updated information regarding the balloons. Gert ZS6GC has posted some other websites where info about the positions of the balloons can be seen, although there are some discrepancies regarding the reported positions between the sites.
1. https://www.lu7aa.org/wsprset.asp?clasi=1 (then click on the http link on left side – not on call sign)
2. https://amateur.sondehub.org/#!mt=OpenTopoMap&mz=2&qm=7d&mc=-4.91583,-6.15234
3. https://aprs.fi/#!z=4&call=a%2FZS6SRC-21&timerange=3600&tail=3600
4. https://www.qrp-labs.com/tracking.html (scroll down the list)
5. https://uploader.sp0lnd.pl/recent-balloons
The Pico Balloon ZS6SRC-21, launched on 7 June 2025 from Secunda, is circumnavigating the globe for the third time and the last position on 15 July was 32°0.00′ S 115°0.00′ W.
ZS6SRC-22, launched on 21 June 2025, disappeared somewhere over the Southern Pacific Ocean. Last heard 27 June 2025 at position 34°43.73′ S 156°7.13′ W.
ZS6SRC-23, launched on 5 July 2025, last update on 10 July 2025 over the South Pacific between New Zealand and South America at position 30°0.00′ S 147°0.00′ W.
ZS1ERZ-11 launched on 30 June and last heard on 30 June 2025.
The next balloon ZS6SRC-24 is ready to be launched on 21 July from Secunda. There has been a delay due to the direction of the prevailing winds. Tom ZR6TG is also getting ready to launch a Pico-Balloon from Vanderbijlpark on 21 July.
Well done to everyone who have been involved in launching these Pico Balloons, whether they have kept afloat or have disappeared. It is all about the participation and having fun and trying something new.
Looking at some of the SSTV photos captured on the various WhatsApp groups there were some very nice photos received from the ISS although I do not see any pictures uploaded to the ARISS SSTV Gallery from any ZS stations. There has been a difference of opinion between the principal of the MMDVM Project and the principal of the M17 Foundation / Project resulting in the removal of support for the M17 project from the MMDVM project. You can read more about it at https://www.zeroretries.org/i/168106387/mmdvm-versus-m The M17 Project is not dead or dying, it has just had a hiccup after the removal of M17 from the MMDVM platform. In fact, I have seen no less than two new entries on the https://rz01.org/ website regarding the building of a M17 C1200 hotspot.
How about some Meteor Scatter or if you are not set up for Meteor Scatter then how about just getting up early in the morning and looking at the Perseid Meteor Shower that is currently visible in our night sky. The Perseid meteor shower, visible in South Africa from 17 July to 23 August 2025, with its peak around 12 and 13 August. According to the Pretoria Rekord Newspaper “For South African stargazers, the best time to watch is during the early morning hours, ideally between midnight and sunrise, when the radiant (in the constellation Perseus) is highest in the sky. However, this year’s stunning show is slightly dimmed by a bright (84%) Sturgeon Moon around the peak.To maximize your chances, plan your viewing for 18 to 28 July, when moonlight is minimal (from last quarter to new moon), or just before dawn on 12 and 13 August.”
How about telling us about that exciting long-distance contact that you have made on the VHF and above bands or about that project that you are working on in the VHF and above bands? Send me a consolidated report of your activity or project with any additional photos, audio or video clips to vhfnews@sarl.org.za. Remember by sharing your activities with us at VHF News allows us to tell the rest of the amateur community about your achievements and the more we promote the activity on the VHF and above bands the better chance we have of encouraging more amateurs to explore the world above 30 MHz. Focus on VHF and above is compiled, edited and presented for Amateur Radio Today by Brian Jacobs ZS6YZ.