High altitude balloons (HABs) are typically tracked via GPS data sent via real-time radio-based communication systems such as the Automated Packet Reporting System (APRS). Prefabricated APRS-compatible tracker modules have made it trivial to transmit GPS coordinates and payload parameters in compliance with the requisite AX.25 protocol. However, in order to receive and track APRS signals, conventional methodologies call for the use of a Very High Frequency (VHF) receiver to demodulate signals transmitted on the 440/144 MHz APRS frequencies, along with a compatible antenna and custom methodology for visualizing the HAB's location on a map. The entire assembly is typically costly, cumbersome, and may require an internet connection in order to obtain real-time visualization of the HAB's location. This paper describes a low-cost, handheld system based on open-source software that operates independently of an internet connection. The miniaturized system is suited to tracking done either from a vehicle or on foot, and is cost-effective enough to be within the means of nearly any HAB user. The paper also discusses preliminary test results and further applications.

中文翻译：

---

低成本高空气球飞行跟踪系统的实现

通常通过GPS数据跟踪高空气球（HAB），该GPS数据是通过基于实时无线电的通信系统（如自动分组报告系统（APRS））发送的。预制的兼容APRS的跟踪器模块使按照必需的AX.25协议传输GPS坐标和有效载荷参数变得轻而易举。但是，为了接收和跟踪APRS信号，常规方法要求使用甚高频（VHF）接收器来解调在440/144 MHz APRS频率上传输的信号，以及兼容的天线和定制方法，以便可视化APRS信号。 HAB在地图上的位置。整个组件通常很昂贵，麻烦，并且可能需要互联网连接才能获得HAB位置的实时可视化。本文介绍了一种低成本，基于开源软件的手持式系统，该系统独立于Internet连接运行。小型化系统适用于从车辆或步行进行的跟踪，并且具有足够的成本效益，几乎可以在任何HAB用户的能力范围内。本文还讨论了初步的测试结果和进一步的应用。