The data protocol used for APRS packets is AX.25, and Linux has native support for the protocol... check out the AX.25 HOWTO, and this article for more info.
Just a thought -- I've been thinking about migrating from a gumstix to a beagleboard, because the beagleboard already has the pins broken out, and it would make things a LOT easier. I was wondering if there'd happen to be an APRS program…
So I've looked at the suggestions so far, but the only problem that I've seen (although future obstacles may lie ahead of this) is that super-pressure balloons are anything but 2 things: cheap, and available to the general public. As cool…
Reminds me of this project... and I seem to recall a commercial solution in that vein out of Austrailia, but I can't find it right off. Be careful, though, with a glider beyond visual; the FAA is very clear on unmanned free balloons, but a…
I've heard that idea thrown around to greater or lesser degrees, but I am not aware of an implementation that has managed sufficiently low weight to be functional... it is an interesting concept, though.
- costs! would it really be cheaper than a cubesat excluding the launch cost????
that's a good question, but excluding the launch cost would be like considering the cost of a car radio without the car.
If I can't get it afloat…
I recently had an idea: could it be possible to have a cage within the solar balloon that is approximately the size of the balloon at ground altitude, so that should the balloon cool down and head for Earth, could it stay inflated and potentially…
So, as far as how porous trash bags are, the best that I can tell you is that it depends on the trash bag: they come in different weights (thicknesses) and plastics, but beyond that I don't really have a whole lot more info for you. Aerostar…