High altitude balloon antenna systems

A method of assembling a lighter-than-air (LTA) high altitude balloon, the method comprising:

• locating a first edge of a first gore adjacent a second edge of a second gore;
• connecting the first and second edges to form a seam;
• and
• securing a long wire communications antenna along the seam, the long wire communications antenna comprising an elongated electrical conductor extending from a first end to a second end along at least a portion of the seam, wherein the elongated electrical conductor has a length from the first end to the second end and the length is based on a desired communication frequency for receiving and transmitting communications signals with the long wire communications antenna.

A method of communicating with a lighter-than-air (LTA) high altitude balloon, the method comprising:

• receiving first communications signals with a long wire communications antenna coupled with the balloon;
• and
• transmitting second communications signals from the long wire communications antenna,
• wherein the balloon comprises:
• a plurality of gores connected together along a plurality of seams to form the balloon;
• and
• the long wire communications antenna comprising an elongated electrical conductor extending from a first end to a second end along at least a portion of one of the plurality of seams and secured therewith, wherein the elongated electrical conductor has a length from the first end to the second end that is based on a desired communication frequency for receiving and transmitting the first and second communications signals respectively with the long wire communications antenna.