2) It doesn't appear to me that there are actually that many people running transmitter systems. Adrian was the first person in 3 launches that I saw with a transmitter. So, again, it appears to me that there is no problem yet. I can definitely see a need for dialog in advance though. You know better than I would how many people there are, so I'm going to defer to you on that one. I do think that recognizing there could be a problem in the future and taking steps like the board and posting who is planning on Tx launching is good planning.

At Oktoberfest last year there where at least 15 people that used transmitters that I know of all in the 433 MHz range. Those are just the ones I know about and I am sure there are more. As more and more people push the envelope with there rockets and bigger motors you are going to see more and more issues and cross talk between transmitters. Some people have commercial transmitters and some are home made. I happen to have made my own at 433.92 MHz but because everyone uses that frequency I also have one at 418 MHz.

I believe that for the bigger launches we need to really announce the use of transmitters a little better to help people who are already using them.

Also Mule you had mentioned earlier that some transmitters broadcast outside the bandwitdh range may not be entirely true. The problem is usually the filtering on the radios (scanners) that most people use that is the real problem. Even with the more expensive scanners because most of them are designed to scan such a wide range of frequencies, the filter systems can't really work 100% on every frequency so you get bleed through add crossover. Just my two cents.

Warren/Mike.
I hope I didn't come across as a snot.... It's so hard to post on a board and not be taken wrong.

Since I haven't been to a large event, I have such a limited exposure that I really have nothing to go on. I am in full agreement on precautions and being ready. It's just good leadership!

I made an assumption that appears to be wrong. I personally own transceivers, I have never owned a scanner. So, I was not aware of their Rx issues. For about $20 more I bought a Yaesu VX-3 from HRO (dual band $189), so naturally, I assume someone else would do the same thing. I shouldn't assume anything. Sorry.

On a side note, I thought I read that Adept was going to offer transmitters with differing frequencies. It looks like that ought to be a trend for the future if you ask me, it's more marketable IMO.

That being said, I think I will leave this conversation to you guys before I end up strapped to a rocket at the next launch......

Greg

Greg don't sweat it, no harm done and that is how people learn. As far as transceivers the front end filters are just as bad as scanners otherwise the scanners and transceivers would cost thousands not hundreds.

Hehehehe dude

Warren/Mike.
I hope I didn't come across as a snot....
Greg

look at your avatar

No worries, Mule - everyone (you included) clearly has the club's best interests at heart. The use of transmitters is indeed a lot more prevalent than it used to be. A smart bunch like NCR will figure it out.

For my part, I hope to be up and down by 9AM Friday morning 8)

John I will be there as well. Hope to be LCO if not I will help you out. Also I hope to have our new RMCS with live GPS telemetry out to demo MHM weekend. That is all I can say for now.

Sounds great, Mike - thanks! looking forward to seeing everyone again. Hopefully we make up for last year's weather this time?!?

Yes especially Sunday. Sponge Bob is getting very antsy. My wife says he is really afraid to fly. I am starting to believe her.

I'm going to fly my L3 rocket on Sunday as well, on a middling-sized N. If the load proves out, I hope to fly it in my minimum diameter rocket at BALLS '09. I need to slather another layer of glass or carbon tip-to-tip on that project first.

Speaking of carbon - I'd never used it until this week. I was very pleasantly surprised at how it went down? I had heard that it is harder to wet, etc. This stuff was WONDERFUL.

Sponge Bob ain't scared 😀 It will be good to see him go for a trip!

Yes, yes looking forward to multiple air starts with Sponge Bob. Woohoo.

So who's N motor are you flying?

Hehehehe dude

Warren/Mike.
I hope I didn't come across as a snot....
Greg

look at your avatar

Oh man, that was a complete accident, I totally missed that one, too funny. For the record, I had not finished my morning coffee.

I was unaware as to how poor the filters were on trancievers. I've only used 2m stuff in my truck & Jeep for talking to friends and Jeep trips to nowhere as a safety.......

So what would my options be here to change over to a GPS unit? I have two Rhinos a 130 and a 110. I was originally going to try and pull the internals out of the 110 and mount them in a bird (that's why I bought it). Is this just a hair brained idea, or would it work? Does anyone make a setup that is designed for the rhino?

PS, Mike, I can't wait to see Sponge Bob.
I'm bringing my kids and a video camera. They are going to love that rocket, I hope I don't have to build a Sponge Bob mini me. Although, that would be funny....

I was unaware as to how poor the filters were on trancievers. I've only used 2m stuff in my truck & Jeep for talking to friends and Jeep trips to nowhere as a safety.......

Some transceivers that only have a few channels are much better than wide band units. It is much easier and cheaper to filter for 10 channels than several hundred. Even then they are still pricey for the better units. Just look at Joe Mullin's Rocket Hunter units. He only has a few channels and the receiver is the most expensive part of the set. I asked him why and he said it is all about the filtering. Joe sells some great units.

So what would my options be here to change over to a GPS unit? I have two Rhinos a 130 and a 110. I was originally going to try and pull the internals out of the 110 and mount them in a bird (that's why I bought it). Is this just a hair brained idea, or would it work? Does anyone make a setup that is designed for the rhino?

Well there are several options however I am not familiar with the Rhino units. Most people buy GPS modules that output serial then find something to transmit the serial data down to a laptop or PC. There are several commercial units out there for rocketry. Having your own unit works but you have to have a way for it to transmit its location back to you. Brad and Greg and I have been working on our own version that connects to our own flight computer the RMCS. I also made my own until brad and Greg finish up. Here is my own work on a GPS transmitting unit: http://www.mbrocketry.com/projects/elec/tracking/track.html.

PS, Mike, I can't wait to see Sponge Bob.
I'm bringing my kids and a video camera. They are going to love that rocket, I hope I don't have to build a Sponge Bob mini me. Although, that would be funny....

I can't wait either the last three launches I tried the weather was bad at all of them.