Astro 220 DC30?

[Dreasher]

I have a unit coming to me tomorrow for use this weekend. I’ve got just a couple of quick questions. Do people add a on/off switch on the collar and or switch it on at the pad, or do you just switch on at your tent and leave it on until you get it back after the flight? Is there procedure on picking which number to use so you don’t track someone else’s dog.

I’m planning on testing it on a K flight and needing it for my L and M flight. God I hope we’ll good weather this weekend.

Ron

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

Make sure you put a Faraday cage/shield around it. Just put foil around the av-bay and ground it. The 2 Watt transmitter will set off certain altimeters (without ground planes). My favorite, the MWC mini, is one of them. The other electronics MUST be greater than 6 inches AT A MINIMUM away from the onboard transmitter. 2 feet is best.

[edwardModerator]

My DC20 is about 15″ away from my electronics and I did a 3 hour ‘soak’ test. E-matches wired and ready to go with the collar transmitting. One thing I found out was that I had to change the channel on my dog collar to the lowest frequency so that I could get better range. That and having an antenna extension really helped. I had signal out to 4.25 miles and the rocket was 4.5 miles away. I regained the signal once it was within 1/2 mile of where it landed.

I don’t know if there is a sign up sheet for channels but we should start one.

Edward

[Dreasher]

I was already planning to put foil tape on the inside of the av-bay as a shield. It will be about 24″ to 30″ away from the electronics.

So, just go ahead and use the DC30’s power switch in while assembling the rocket, and don’t wave my NC to close to anyone else’s rocket while waiting in line?

Now if I can just stay away from the FLU, I’ll see you all on Friday. My son’s school is being hit hard.

Ron

[SCOTT EVANS]

I just turn it on at the bench. Its good for like 16 hours.

Mine sits in the nose at the top about 24 to 48 inches away, depending on the rocket. The current nose is lined with fiberglass while the rest is cf.
I have never shielded my minis and have never had a problem, even in my all glass Rockets.
I think Mike had it sittting in the same bay when he had his problem. ???
We will have to ask.

[Warren B. MusselmanModerator]

I probably shouldn’t be lazy and should go search for the old thread about Mike’s travails with on-pad deployment, but I seem to recall it was a completely different, home brew transmitter IN the e-bay with the altimeters that caused his problems. I’m pretty certain it was not a DC20 or DC30 dog collar.

Warren

[John A. WilkeParticipant]

Actually, it was indeed a Garmin “Doggie Collar” unit that Mike K. had issues with… I”m not sure if it was a DC20 or DC30? It was in very close proximity to his other electronics, and they were not shielded.

Regarding the signup sheet for channels, etc – I’ve seen several units “active” and I think they sort themselves. We once had 6-7 collars transmitting simultaneously to the same receiver. It was pretty cool.

I will NOT be doing either of my flights if the jet stream does what it is currently forecasted to do 😡 see http://www.weatherimages.org/data/imag192.html

[new2hprParticipant]

Mike’s was a DC-20. I did some testing with him on different combinations of the DC-20 and Rino GPS units and his Missileworks and my MAWD altimeters. It was quite a while back, but there were varying degrees of separation which triggered the false apogee detect. I believe the MAWD (has a groundplane) and DC-20 were a good combo. Still, a little foil tape in the AVbay is cheap insurance.

I’ve got 3 DC-20’s sitting under my bench waiting… I haven’t had the time to repair, build, or fly anything since last O’fest.

-Ken

[Bret PackardParticipant]

Have alot of you tried these? The y seem kinda pricey but if they work well probably worth it. I’ve been trying to decide on a tracker for sometime now and being the wuss that I am I just havn’t flown any of my altitude projects because I haven’t found a tracking system I like enough to pay for.

[new2hprParticipant]

If you watch Ebay, you can find them cheap. I got 1 new and 2 used DC20 units for well under $100 ea. I think I got the pair of used ones for about $80 if I remember correctly. Just keep checking, as the hunter folks are swapping them out for the DC30s. They might smell like elk urine, but if they’re cheap… 😯 🙄

-Ken

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