Great show! Very unusual path to the north this time. And it made a touch down in Friesland, something I already expected at Friday. Due to the north path I could follow the balloon all the way and still received signals when it was "only" a kilometer above ground. Very interesting the balloon did touch a height of at least 30km before it went down. I managed to make 1 QSO over the balloon transponder with PD2WVH Wim. Not easy as I only have my V2000 on 6m height. I tried to get my call into the PI4RCG log to get their balloonfoxhunt QSL. Unfortenately 40m was completely wiped out and I could barely hear the station. I figured (and others too) I had a better chance via the new northern setup of the 70cm repeater PI2NOS which has been installed in a TV tower. Unfortenately like many repeaters in that direction I can hear them but they cannot hear me. May be that is why I dislike UHF/VHF. I've been trying for a hour to reach the operator and though I almost made it. But it seems he only could hear the last 2 letters of my call. This new repeater is just outside my reach. I feel much better on HF and hope 40m will be open next year. I've been listening to the transponder and found the first hourwas too busy and too many rude people who wanted to play "boss". When the balloon came north it went better and did hear some well known stations from the north making QSOs without many problems. People should listen and wait and give others a chance. I did hear PD2WVH making about 10 QSOs, he was not calling but listening and took his chance when he could. Of course it is difficult but I think everyone should be limited to one or two QSOs and the listen to give others a chance, I guess thats just my thoughts about it...
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