NTI's Amateur Radio Club - N5NTI
The purpose of the N5NTI Amateur Radio club is to promote amateur radio, science, and education by exploring frontiers with amateur radio and near space balloons. Our members utilize amateur radio and balloons to advance their knowledge of amateur radio and to allow area schools to scientifically study the upper atmosphere.
“Logic to Imagination to Achievement”
Near Space Exploration Program
Space the final frontier! Trying to capture the minds of a sixth or seventh grader is much more changeling than getting into space. So the question is how do we capture their minds, how do we tap into that imagination and still teach them the logic of science?
By using the logic of science, and the students’ imagination and giving the students a chance to see their project come to life will no doubt give them the sense of achievement.
N5NTI is working with many schools in the Northwest Arkansas area, ranging from middle schools, high schools and NorthWest Arkansas Community College.
What is Near Space?
Near Space is the region of Earth's atmosphere that lies between 65,000 and 325,00 - 350,000 feet above sea level, above where a commercial airliner flies but below the realm of an orbiting satellite. Currently, the vehicles that fly in near space are generally high altitude balloons, blimps (non-rigid airships) and other lighter than air vehicles. It is also the realm of an activity known as Amateur Radio High Altitude Ballooning.
What is the Vehicle and Payload?
The space vehicle consists of a weather balloon with a parachute attached by a light but strong line. The parachute is attached to the payload, which will have at the minimum a flight computer with a GPS tracking system and a 2 meter radio. This will allow amateur radio operators on the ground to track the vehicle from lift off to touchdown. The " stack" is everything that is launched into space.
Other payloads include different experiments that local schools are conducting. These experiments range from the effect of space upon marshmallows, to measuring the effects that cosmic rays have on flower seeds. Other experiments may include temperature measurement, ozone measurement, and other gases in the atmosphere.
The last item in the stack is a radio beacon, flashing light , and a very loud buzzer. This buzzer will help the ground crew find the stack after touchdown.
Click the links below to see videos of N5NTI's balloon launches
To request information about the Near Space Exploration Program, click here or email us at info@nwti.edu.