These are slow-scan TV (SSTV) pictures captured by a Kenwood VC-H1 on board the capsule. They were transmitted by a HT on 147.585 MHz and decoded using relatively simple radio equipment and W95SSTV. SSTV has an advantage over fast-scan ATV in that it's not necessary to track the capsule with an antenna in order to get a picture. These images were captured with a mag-mount 1/4 wave antenna on a moving car.

Six minutes after launch at 8500 ft south of Manhattan looking at the KSU Horticulture Farm.

At 75,000 ft. near Mayetta, KS at 0928 CDT. The road barely visible above the "T" is probably US 75. Most of the pictures above 25,000 ft have this blue tint and not much detail.

During descent, at 39,400 ft. The balloon is 6 mi west of Valley Falls looking at the north end of Lake Parry.

About 2800 ft MSL (2000 ft AGL) near Nortonville. The road going left-to-right is Kansas 4. The chase teams are just north of the intersection (down).

Click here for SSTV software listing

This shows my chase gear. In the console in front of the gear shift is the control head for my Alinco DR-610T dual-band radio used for voice. The laptop is supported by a frame of PVC pipe that holds it steady and keeps the keyboard reachable from the driver's seat. The blue box near the bottom is a 140W power inverter for the laptop since it requires 120VAC power. To the right of that is a Kenwood TM-261 2m radio for APRS. Not visible is the Kantronics KPC-3 TNC (under the laptop) and the DeLorme Tripmate GPS unit (on dash) used for determining the car's location.