I'm almost done developing a new line of altimeters based on an ultra-accurate digital-output pressure transducer that is calibrated over temperature at the chip factory (as opposed to by me). One model of this new line, the Wren, is a peak-reporting, dual deployment altimeter that is smaller than the Parrot. It beeps out the altitude after the flight. I'll ask Tripoli to approve these altimeters for flights up to their functional ceiling, to go along with the Parrots that are already approved for Tripoli records.
I'm thinking about donating a number of these to the club to encourage participation in altitude contests. An club altimeter pool of Wrens would provide a level playing field, be usable for 18mm A flights up to about 33 kft, and lower the financial barrier for more club members to give electronics a try, even for low-power flights. Anyone (including me) would get a randomly selected altimeter from the pool for their flight. I would suggest tracking the serial numbers for the contest flights so that if someone wanted to use the same altimeter that someone else did, that would be possible.
What do you guys think?
Very generous Adrian. If you pitch those in, I'll provide a nice padded case to store them in. Have you or anyone in the club thought about a deposit system in case one is lost in a CATO, coresamples, goes into orbit, or lost in the grass?
I think it is a nifty idea that has some merit. For my part, as I feel I am probably nearer the end than the beginning of my rocketry career, I'd probably be a bit hesitant to rebuild rocket to take advantage of the smaller altimeter. But I applaud your direction here, and it would make for some interesting contests.
Would these report out on-site, i.e. with an audible count or other quick-and-easy means to get an altitude?
On a semi-related note, did you fly Parrots for your I blast?
Finally, I really like the avian theme - are you a birder? (May I suggest "Kestrel" for a future iteration :-))
Adrian,
That's quite generous and I'm sure very appreciated by the membership (me included).
I wonder if there is a way we could just maintain a loaner pool owned by Featherweight.
At this year’s annual meeting in January I floated the idea of club owned electronics available for use by the membership. There were several opposed to offering electronics because of potential liabilities. I.e. what if a charge does not fire as planned or the board is actually dead, or hooked up backwards, etc. So, for this year we stuck to offering non-electronic items.
That being said, if Featherweight wants to sponsor the loaners instead of the club, then I suppose there may not be the same opposition.
As for a deposit, the unwritten rule has always been if you lose it then you replace it. It’s a lot of work just to keep track of who has what – much less who owes what. (at least that’s the club’s view). Adrian may want to charge a rental fee or deposit.
Ed
P.S. I’d be glad to pay that rental fee, Adrian.
I think it would be good to avoid the hassle of deposits or rental fees. Normal motor case rules would apply. If you can't return it, then replace it. The replacement cost of the altimeter would be around $70-$90, depending on what sort of deal I can get on some of the parts.
I would hope that people know that they're responsible for their own rocket as-flown. When in doubt, ground test. These altimeters will be especially simple to hook up and operate, so hopefully there won't be much an issue with user error. The Wren and Raven altimeters will beep out the altitude after the flight and upon power-up. It will also beep out how many charges are connected while on the pad.
John, my last I600 flight was flown with 2 Parrots. I'm not a birder, so the bird theme was kind of on a whim, but there are lots of interesting choices in that theme.
Chad, a case would be great. A sign-out sheet for each serial number would be a good addition.
As Ed said, we have a seriously difficult time tracking the club motor cases and I would vote against the club maintaining or being responsible for any altimeters in the pool.
On the other hand, if you want to maintain and track the pool, that would be fine and a great service to the club membership. You probably won't sell as many as you would if you didn't provide the loaners though.
Warren
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