Which balloons would you suggest for one's first HAB launches?

Radiocose

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Mar 20, 2025, 1:48:13 PMMar 20

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Hello,

just to continue collecting relevant (and practical) info for my first HAB launch(es), which ballon brand(s) and model(s) would you suggest to buy?

Sometimes I saw Kaymont mentioned as one of the most popular brands, but they produce and sell a number of different models. Which selection criteria should one use?

Many thanks in advance for your feedbacks.

BR

Daniele, IZ5WWB

Mika Köching

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Mar 20, 2025, 1:53:00 PMMar 20

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I don't have much experience with big balloons but I started with an Hwoyee HY-350. The Hwoyees are the most common and perform the best, I think. I wouldn't start with a big balloon for a first launch, the smaller ones are cheaper and also require way less helium so I'd rather go with multiple small launches than one big one.

73s de Mika, DL8MIK

Radiocose

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Mar 20, 2025, 2:17:21 PMMar 20

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Thank you Mika for your helpful reply. I found one on amazon here in Italy, I suppose it is a HY-300 (rated "300g, 380 cm"). My payload will basically include a polystyrene enclosure containing a re-programmed Vaisala RS-41 radiosonde (plus batteries) and a ESP32-CAM automatic camera. Could this ballon work for that project? https://www.amazon.it/Palloncino-meteorologico-professionale-decorazione-intrattenimento/dp/B0CTCKZZTC

Mika Köching

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Mar 20, 2025, 2:39:03 PMMar 20

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Well, I wouldn't buy balloons from Amazon. Steve has an online shop with really good prices.

http://www.randomengineering.co.uk/Random_Aerospace/Balloons.html

What altitude do you want to reach? I regularly launch reprogrammed RS41s with one AA (at least 10h runtime using Horus V2 once a minute). Wheighs around 40g. Using a 26g balloon from Amazon which costs around 1,25€. They reach 15km height if you're lucky.

Radiocose

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Mar 20, 2025, 2:58:02 PMMar 20

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As for the altitude, I think 100 kfeet would be great.

Mika Köching

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Mar 20, 2025, 3:06:24 PMMar 20

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Use sondehub.org/calc or Steves calculator to calculate the burst altitude and the amount of gas.

Also don't forget you have to register the flight in your country, which may cost quite a bit but I don't know how that works in Italy.

Radiocose

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Mar 20, 2025, 3:08:57 PMMar 20

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Yes, I know about the requirement of a NOTAM to be issued for the date of flight, thanks a lot for your help.

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