I have an offer that I'd like to float by all you SSS geeks. Let me know what you think.

Rules stipulate that electronic tracking is NOT allowed, either via beepers or xsmitters. Optical tracking is obviously OK. Along those lines, most of you know that I am an amateur astronomer, and I own a couple of Dobsonian telescopes. The nice thing about a "Dob" is that it is totally manually steered. In essence, it is a binocular minus one lens (monocular?) and it is on a very sturdy stand. With the proper eyepiece, it has a wider FOV than binocs, and it magnifies to 33 power. In other words, about triple what you would get with binoculars, with a very steady base (no shaking, easy to sweep the sky, etc.).

I'd like to make my scope available to anyone who wants to use it to try and track their bird. OTOH, I'd forego using myself it if anyone, and I do mean ANYONE felt that this would be innapporiate. There would be no hard feelings, I most certainly do not want to be perceived as trying to "stretch" the rules. Let me know what you think.

BTW, if the scope is used, here is a disclaimer -- do NOT accidentally point it toward the sun 😯 I'll be glad to train anyone on use of the scope, it will take approximately two seconds. That said, I am not responsible if anyone steers it toward that big, bright yellow thing in the sky.... Just like binoculars, as you get closer to the sun, you will know it and your reflexes will (most likely) take over. But do be careful.

I'd like to make my scope available to anyone who wants to use it to try and track their bird. OTOH, I'd forego using myself it if anyone, and I do mean ANYONE felt that this would be innapporiate. There would be no hard feelings, I most certainly do not want to be perceived as trying to "stretch" the rules. Let me know what you think.

John, if that's not mentioned in the rules, and it isn't, you're not stretching them. It's a very generous offer. Personally, I'm psychic and can find anything but my car in a parking lot. (Kidding about the first statement 🙂 )

We have two scopes - an 8" Dob, and a 16" Dob. The 16" is a monster that we haul all over the country. It is too bulky to track rockets, you have to stand on a ladder to reach the eyepiece, etc... but I've often thought the 8" would be PERFECT for tracking rockets. I have never tried it, but it just has to work????

Interestingly, in this case, apogee deploy may even be an advantage, as you have something more substantial to acquire visually.

Apogee deploy being preferred is a good point. Who'll be the first to test that out? 🙂 [Out of thread but pertinent: I have an old friend named Charles Morris who used to (maybe he still does) work for JPL and is famous for tracking and finding comets, and he uses a 16" Dob... with a ladder. Great for dark sky objects--actually the best for those. We had a visiting member of our astronomy club, David Levy, who co-discovered the one that crashed into Jupiter. Back to our regular program, sorry for the brief divergence.] We have to climb ladders to arm rockets... how'd ya like to do that in the dark? 🙂 Wait, you do...
I'm ready to shoot my SSS... and get it over with. John, you mentioned the run of AT G80T's with potential CATO possibilites and you listed the serial numbers. I have this sneaking suspicion that I may have one of those in mine. I just remember a 100... something or other. Can't take it out to check though, just have to take my chances. We're still on track here... I've heard a lot of people say that copperheads (crapperheads) aren't reliable. I've never had a problem and always used them, though prefer other igniters. What would you recommend instead of using that one. I think a misfire counts as a shot?

Sorry guys, but I can't resist. Mine isn't as big as yours, I have an 8" Meade SCT with all of the accessories (SBIG CCD, the works).

I do have a big truck though!

And I think a DOB would be perfect for tracking purposes. You would need a larger eyepiece though, say 26mm or so. Something with a wider FOV. Or even a variable eyepeice would work good. Zoom in at high altitudes. Wide FOV near the pad.

KenP.

I'll look through my eyepieces. I know I have a few wide field ones. Been so long since I looked through them. What size eyepiece barrel does your 8" Dob use, John. I've got some real nice 2" ones... for SSS tracking, to stay on topic.

I have a set of 1 1/4" Plossel eyepieces ranging from 6mm up to 40mm. The're available if needed - to stay on track.

Just let me know.

KenP.

I have a 2" 36mm eyepiece that would be perfect (1200mm focal length of the optical tube converts that to 33.33X magnification).

Regarding misfires -- we have always treated a bad igniter as just that -- a bad igniter. Now, a CATO, shred, lost rocket, etc. would constitute a "shot". Replacing your igniter? I'd have to say that is OK.

I'll gladly go first regarding using the Dob and trying tracking. I'm not done with the rocket yet, but it is within a few hours of being complete. That is assuming it is OK with all the contestants to use the scope.

Next launch that is over a new moon will feature a night of astronomy perhaps? I've spent hundreds of hours at the north site after total darkness. I'm driving to S. Texas next week with the 16"... I built this scope http://www.astrosystems.biz/telekits.htm

We have an 8 inch dob and a 10 inch RCX400. The dob might be a good idea, but I'll rely on binocs and unaided tracking for mine...

I just layed up some carbon sheet for my SSS - now I have some really nice fin material 🙂

I am and I am not surprised at how so many people involved in rocketry are involved in amateur astronomy. We gotta have targets, right? 😀

I never thought much about this... CATOs are pretty rare. Then I had TWO G80s CATO for a TARC project! AAAAAAGGHHHHH!!!!

Do *not * use lot #010406!

Some of you guys might be interested to know that the G80 that blew up on me on 9/9 was #001436. It went overpressure with enough force to blow out both ends, and there are parallel cracks in the case running about 80% of the length of the case. Neither the delay grain nor the propellant grain show any obvious sign of ever having ignited.

Ken Reilly

Saw Ken's CATO (Ken, thanks for LCOing Sat) and am re-thinking the SSS this year. I was ready but the tower wasn't with the equipment. I pulled the MAWD out of my SSS bird and installed it into my RMTB III for Oktoberfest. Best case, I'm out $20; worst case, the bird blows and I may lose the MAWD--if she doesn't blow, still may lose the MAWD. Winning the pot would be a break-even for me. Probably just cram the MAWD back in and shoot it towards the end of the year, Nov or Dec. 🙄

Bruce, I have been hording 5 or 6 G80-10 that I got over in Utah last winter. We can check the numbers, but I don"t think these are in the bad batch. And as always put a Fuddrucker igniter in them and you should be good to go. I have used over 100 fudds and never had a misfire. My SSS is going in Octberfest, so we will see.... 8)

Well, I can't change motors out. I can only cut mine out and verify that it's a G80T. 🙄 After our drag race, I'll put the MAWD back in and give 'er a go. And, I'll have to buy a fudd off ya. 🙂

Hey, is Bob Messner's tower going to be at the next launch (11/4) for the SSS? If so, and the weather's agreeable, I'm ready to put 'er up. Just need another 4 oz. in weight... in for a penny, in for a pound. I'll be honest, my sim says mine should be 1.12 lbs. to reach 6580 feet. While I don't think that's gonna happen, this year it's all the sim's call. Who am I to argue? 🙄 My nosecone is blunt, and it was a decision based on how long my bird will be at mach or above. If longer above mach, then pointy is ideal. If less, then blunt is fine. 50/50 at mach, then it really doesn't matter. Trade-off's. 🙂