Welcome to the Rio Amateur Radio Club!
Ham radio has been sparking curiosity and connection for over a century—from local chats to global contacts. At Rio ARC, we blend hands-on radio fun with a welcoming community, whether you’re a seasoned operator or just radio-curious.
Based in Harlingen, Texas, we serve the whole Rio Grande Valley—from McAllen to Starbase. We’re into all things ham: antennas, POTA, digital, analog, and everything in between.
Want to meet us? Join one of our laid-back breakfast meetups—no pressure, just good food, good stories, and great company. Check our events page for details. Everyone’s welcome!
Pico Balloon Serial 8 Has Launched
8th Day Afloat
Only the updated narrative for the day is on this page. For the remainder of Pico Serial #8 please [click here].
Updated August 7, 2025
Pico Balloon Serial 8 — Day 8 Report
Builder: WT5TX
Launched from: Harlingen, TX
Flight Day: 8
After drifting quietly through the night, Pico Balloon Serial #8 came back to life shortly after sunrise and has been transmitting steadily throughout the day. It continues to perform well as it floats over the eastern Pacific Ocean.
As of 18:04 UTC, the balloon was located at:
Latitude: 10.40° N
Longitude: 118.38° W
Approximate distance from Harlingen, TX: 2,036 miles (3,276 km)
Direction of travel: West-Northwest (296° azimuth)
Maidenhead Grid Square: DK00tj
Flight Performance:
Altitude: 41,540 ft
Vertical speed: Stable (0 to ±7 ft/min — essentially level)
Ground speed: 21–22 mph
External temperature: -11°F
Voltage (solar): 4.80 V and holding steady under sunlight
Power source: Solar only (no onboard batteries)
Transmission Status:
Number of ground stations receiving signal: 25 (at time of report)
Maximum receive range: 3,465 miles
Best signal-to-noise ratio (SNR): -2 dB
Transmit power: ~13 dBm
Sun angle: 13°, sufficient for continued solar operation
Pico Balloon #8 continues to perform reliably with stable altitude, consistent solar voltage, and good signal reception across a wide area. With no sign of descent and strong sunlight keeping it powered, the balloon appears set for an extended flight.
— K5RGV Rio Amateur Radio Club
Tracking:
To track Serial 8's global path, we now have three different sites for you to pick from.
Traquito, [watch here]
wsprtv.com, [watch here]
WSPR.spot, [watch here}
Wondering what the heck a Pico Balloon is well just [click here] and all your questions will be answered, well at least the first ones, but I am sure this will bring up others.
The Rio Amateur Radio Club extends heartfelt thanks to Byron (KI5GNH) and Tom (WT5TX) for their outstanding effort and dedication in setting up multiple stations at Spotted Sea Trout Park in Rio Hondo. Their hard work made this year’s Field Day truly memorable.
We also appreciate everyone who stopped by to watch, support, and lend a hand. Final scores will be shared once they are officially tallied and recorded.
Thank you all for making it a great event!
Pico Balloon
Future Events
Breakfast Every Wednesday at 8:00 am
Los Leones in La Feria , 109 N Main St, La Feria, TX 78559-5004
Breakfast Every Saturday at 8:00 am
Tejano Grill in Harlingen, 803 S 77 Sunshine Strip
Harlingen, TX 78550
(See You Next Year)
2025 ARRL Field Day is June 28 and 29th. Rio ARC will be at Spotted Sea Trout Park (Formerly known as the Rio Hondo Public Boat Ramp) in Rio Hondo from 1:00pm on 28 June until 29 June until about 1:00pm. Just look for the Rio ARC Banner.
Spotted Sea Trout Park, Rio Hondo, TX
Monthly Club Meeting, 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm 2nd Tuesday of each month, except December.
Meeting Schedule:
July 8, 2025
August 12, 2025
September 9, 2025
October 14, 2025
November 11, 2025
No Meeting for December
Harlingen Irrigation District, 301 E. Pierce Ave., Harlingen, TX . 78550
Barry's Corner
Barry A. Boothe, W9UCW
"Over the coming months on this venue, I plan to present a variety of technical pieces and stories from nearly 70 years as an active ham."
There are now thirteen handwritten (they may have originally been typed) articles by Barry, some even featuring pictures! Just check the menu and click on "Barry's Corner" for some informative and entertaining reading.
One quiet evening, Rio ARC member Carlos tuned into 20 meters just for fun. Between bursts of static, he caught a faint but steady voice—it was a ham operator calling from a tiny island off the coast of Japan. Carlos answered, expecting the usual brief exchange of signal reports, but the two ended up chatting for nearly 30 minutes about family, weather, and their shared love of old tube rigs.
Neither had perfect gear or a huge antenna farm—just simple setups and a little patience. But through the magic of the ionosphere, two strangers became friends, 6,000 miles apart.
It’s moments like these that remind us: ham radio isn’t just about the tech. It’s about the people.
