Around the world

TIFFIN — Jeff Potteiger, a licensed amateur radio operator and local resident of Tiffin, recently sent a pico balloon around the world with his son Erik and grandson Matthew, who are also licensed amateur radio operators. A pico balloon is a small, lightweight high-altitude balloon equipped with a radio transmitter. Hobbyists like the Potteigers use it to track its journey across the globe, receiving real-time telemetry data about its location, altitude and the extreme conditions it encounters. The Potteigers launched their balloon on Sept. 13 just outside Tiffin city limits. Recently, it completed a full circumnavigation of the Earth — and it is still airborne. Telemetry from the balloon has shown it reached altitudes above 40,000 feet and temperatures as low as 40 degrees below zero. The family project spans three generations: Jeff, the grandfather, said he was inspired to start the project after attending AMP Fest in Springfield, Ohio, with Erik and Matthew. Both Erik and Matthew earned their amateur radio licenses in their mid-teens, following a family tradition. "It took a while to put it all together, but it has been very rewarding to follow," Jeff said. This is the Potteigers' second balloon launch. Their solar-powered balloon does not transmit telemetry data at night, so tracking its journey is limited to daylight hours. When asked how long it took to circle the globe depends heavily on wind speeds, which vary across different regions. This launch took roughly 25 days to make a full trip. Jeff said he hopes their project encourages others to explore amateur radio and high-altitude ballooning. "I encourage anyone who is interested in a project like this to learn more about pico balloons," he said.