AERPAW helikite spectrum measurements at Packapalooza Festival in Aug 2025

We conducted a spectrum monitoring experiment using a helikite in an urban environment during NC State’s Packapalooza festival in August 2025. The helikite was equipped with a software-defined radio (SDR) and global positioning system (GPS) receivers and flown for approximately 6 hours, starting around noon. The helikite reached an altitude of approximately 160 meters at its peak. The spectrum was continuously swept up to 6 GHz, with each sweep taking about 15 seconds.