Marshall Dias of Ottumwa, Iowa has always been fascinated with aviation
and space exploration. An interest in radio-controlled airplanes from a
young age led him to the aviation pilot program at Indian Hills
Community College in 1997. Although he didn’t continue in aviation as a
career, Dias never lost his love of flight related activities.
Over a year ago, he began working toward his dream of launching a balloon into near space by becoming an Amateur Radio Operator and joining the Otttumwa Amateur Radio Club. Since becoming licensed in October of 2009, Marshall continues to experience the many facets of Amateur Radio, including becoming an active QRPer.
In the fall of 2010 Marshall started the iHAB Project (Iowa High Altitude Balloon Project), and launched iHAB-1 on August 28, 2010. This inaugural launch of the iHAB Project paved the way for future "exploration" in Amateur Radio with the iHAB-2 (QRP ARCI) launch on October 2, 2010.