DIY pico balloon technology allows affordable global exploration of the stratosphere without satellites thanks to a ham radio network.

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Pico ballooning enables amateur enthusiasts to launch high-altitude balloons that can circumnavigate the globe for under $50. Using a Raspberry Pi Pico, GPS module, and solar panels, these lightweight payloads (12-30 grams) transmit position data via the WSPR amateur radio network. The balloons use Mylar party balloons filled with helium and can float in the stratosphere for months. The author details building a Jetpack WSPR Tracker, addressing FCC compliance issues with spurious emissions using antenna traps, and shares experiences from three launches, with the third successfully crossing the Atlantic and reaching the Mediterranean.

High-Altitude Adventure With a DIY Pico Balloon