- This topic has 55 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 17 years, 6 months ago by
Mike Bennett.
Mike Bennett.-
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mule
Jason,
Thanks. I’ll be Tx-ing in the 4xx range, so we won’t cross signals 😆
Have you ever found out which band has better signal up there?So was that you doing the L2 on the 1st? I’m trying to put faces w/ names. I was doing the L1 w/ the blue rocket when you (if it was you) had tracking problems and aborted that first one.
I’m going to start a thread in the electronics area for this, I have some questions for you.
Greg
Jason Chamberlin
Greg,
No , I wasn’t at the launch this month, but I will be at Mayhem. I have used my tracker to find a rocket about 3.5 miles (maybe more) away on the ground, over a couple of the rolling hills out there, never had any kind of interference.
Jason
Warren B. Musselman
Keep in mind that MOST NCR folks using tracking are using the Adept transmitter on 433.75Mhz. You absolutely must coordinate with the LCO and all other flyers using tracking. In general, tracking is not used at NCR launches for flights less than 8K to 10K AGL unless it is a very small bird. Be sure you coordinate with the LCO and any flyers intending to make significant altitude shots before you even think about turning your transmitter on – particularly if you are flying on Friday May 2nd. There are at least a 1/2 dozen significant shots planned for that day and it is very important that those folks who are already in the queue get priority on the use of that frequency as some of the rockets are quite expensive and several of the shots are expected to top 14K or possibly much higher if we get approval for our 35K windows.
If you are using other systems and frequency ranges, this isn’t an issue. Big Red Bee has adjustable frequencies and as long as you’re not using the high power version you can dial the frequency off at least 350 Khz and be guaranteed you’re not going to impact others.
Folks with Rockethunter systems are very rare as most folks find the much larger antenna size to be ponderous and awkward to deal with. The frequency range of these units do not conflict with the Adept units. I believe we only have one regular flyer who owns one of these though.
There are also several flyers, including myself, who have full telemetry systems in the 433Mhz slice of spectrum. Tracking beacons definitely conflict with these. However, I will not likely be flying that package at MHM. It pays to ask around.
Warren
mule
Hey Warren, good to finally meet you….
That is the exact reason I got the beeline. I wanted to be able to tweek the freq. I have been around too many R/C planes and cars to be set into one frequency, I use to carry several sets of chips to get around it.
I’m trying to figure out the reflector/driver/driven element sizing so I can change it as needed. So far all I have to go on is two set rod lengths and their frequencies. I wish I had a formula for it!
I thought the spacing was the key, but it looks like the length of the rods are what changes it. I may end up with a few yagis.So what do you consider a small bird???? I was going to stick one in my Brant when I put a big “I” in it. Is 51″ x 2.5″ small? 😀 W/ an I300T loaded, it sims at 5200′ w/ no dual deploy I may be taking a very long walk…. Not that I would fly it w/ the I300.
Anonymous
I want to echo Warren’s concerns – at BALLS, a fellow launched a P project and half way into the boost, someone turned on another Walston unit. That local transmission stepped all over the P, and 30 minutes later, when the owner of the 2nd transmitter was located (on the flight line), it was too late. The P was never found. The guy who turned on the 2nd tranmsitter never even flew – he was just dinking with it.
This makes Konshak’s system look pretty enticing. It also means we need to coordinate whenever possible.
JW
mule
Personally, I’m a FIRM believer in a frequency board.
If you set foot on a launch location with any kind of Tx, you need to be checked in and it posted on the board. I also believe that a Tx should never be turned on unless it’s on the flight line and ready for pre flight check. I was looking for a board when I first became aware of guys using locating systems, I was actually surprised there wasn’t one. I’m not trying to be a butthead, just my personal observation and feelings. I dare say I would be understanding if someone kicked on their Tx in the pits on me and I lost a rocket….. That’s one reason I’m going to all the trouble to make my system operate on a different WL. 😀Tim Thomas
8) Mule, The board is a great idea. A simple dry marker board at the LCO table would really help. The club is getting bigger all the time, and we should up on this. 8)
mule
I have a dry erase board and stand that can be donated to the club if needed.
LMK if you guys want it…..
GregWarren B. Musselman
One key issue is that many folks have their transmitters mounted in such a way that it has to be turned on well before launch – while they’re in final prep of the bird. Personally, I know with one of my birds, the transmitter is nose mounted and must be turned on before I finish packing the chute and installing the shear pins. That means that the transmitter might well be on and transmitting for as much as an hour before the button gets pushed. This is due to the unfortunate design of the Adept that doesn’t have an external switch and has an integral battery holder that isn’t well suited for some form of mechanical interlock.
In the past, on any given day, very few folks were flying transmitters. One MHM it was John Wilke, myself, and Jon Skuba – all using Adept transmitters. Fortunately, I flew the same transmitter Jon Skuba flew – so no conflict there. John Wilke held off his flight until we were certain my bird was down and that we’d lost signal. (I found the transmitter 7 hours later – separated from the bird which I found the following day.)
Given this increase in folks using transmitters, I think we, as a club, are definitely going to need some methodology for coordinating this. Perhaps it’s time for folks to start ordering specific frequencies from Adept other than the seeming default of 433.75Mhz.
A board seems to be a good idea – especially when we start getting a few altitude pigs up there besides the few that have been active the last couple years.
mule
I think dialog is key to getting it sorted out.
I understand now the problems with some of the transmitters!!!
So, how about this. A board is used as stated, the LCO either “Estimates” a launch order/time frame based on a common agreement. Then, people on the same frequency are able to have enough time to set out and find their bird before the next shared frequency flies. A staggered system kind of like the FAA does with their holding patterns.
How does that sound?Greg
mule
Jason Chamberlin
Warren B. Musselman
Anonymous
Tim Thomas
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