Weather Balloon Hunter

Track weather balloons in real-time with MySondyGo BLE and SondeHub APRS. Professional prediction, intelligent routing, and map-centric interface for successful recovery.

Track and recover weather balloons with professional-grade tools used by the global amateur radio community. BalloonHunter connects to MySondyGo devices via Bluetooth and integrates with the SondeHub APRS network for comprehensive real-time balloon tracking.

KEY FEATURES

Dual Connectivity

• MySondyGo BLE - Direct connection to RadioSondyGo devices for real-time telemetry
• SondeHub APRS - Automatic fallback to global amateur radio network
• Smart polling adjusts API cadence based on data freshness (15s to 5min to 1hr)

Professional Prediction

• Tawhiri API - Leverages CUSF's professional trajectory prediction engine
• Real-time updates every 60 seconds during flight
• Accurate burst and landing point calculations with uncertainty mapping
• Adaptive parameters use live descent rates when available

Hunter-Focused Interface

• Map-centric design optimized for field tracking operations (70% map view)
• Live overlays show balloon track, prediction path, landing zones, and your position
• Smart route recalculation only when needed:
  • Off-route detection (50m+ deviation)
  • Landing point movement (100m+ shift)
  • Transport mode changes (car/bike)
• Apple Maps navigation with one-tap routing
• Landing change alerts during CarPlay navigation (300m+ shifts)
• Heading mode with compass-locked view for directional navigation

Advanced Tracking

• 7-state telemetry state machine for robust operation
• Automatic BLE/APRS switching with 30-second debounce
• Background Bluetooth support for continuous connection
• Local data persistence with CSV export capability
• Offline track viewing from cached data

TECHNICAL DETAILS

• Requires iOS 17.6 or later
• Bluetooth and location permissions required
• Internet connection needed for APRS and predictions
• Works with or without MySondyGo hardware
• Free and open source - no ads, no tracking, no accounts

PERFECT FOR

• Weather balloon enthusiasts and chasers
• Amateur radio operators (hams)
• High-altitude balloon (HAB) recovery teams
• Educational institutions launching research balloons
• Anyone interested in atmospheric science

PRIVACY & DATA

• All location data stays on your device
• No personal information collected
• No user accounts or registration required
• Open source code available on GitHub
• Full privacy policy included

Built for the weather balloon tracking community by HB9BLA.