X-Git-Url: https://git.gag.com/?p=web%2Fgag.com;a=blobdiff_plain;f=rockets%2Findex.mdwn;h=25579a623ed7394f67e2dd433d98659e3da1a944;hp=a2d280cf13bba1b3d7faf2244340a49e2d0aa1bc;hb=b759ebdf2c0a9d3635eaeee14e556e14c27b294c;hpb=56dade40b873873b5b5522ae426b1654aa6f976b diff --git a/rockets/index.mdwn b/rockets/index.mdwn index a2d280c..25579a6 100755 --- a/rockets/index.mdwn +++ b/rockets/index.mdwn @@ -1,6 +1,6 @@ # Garbee Rockets # -![Photo of Bdale and Robert with Horizon just before successful level 2 certification flight](./level2.jpg "Photo of Bdale and Robert with Horizon just before successful level 2 certification flight") + Building and launching model rockets is one of our favorite hobby activities right now. While everyone in the family gets into the act in one way or @@ -65,18 +65,50 @@ See some of our launch photos in Bdale's - - +We also fly commercial altimeters in some projects. The cheapest off the +shelf altimeter we've used and often recommend to beginners is the +[Missile Works](http://www.missileworks.com/) RRC2-mini. At about $80, it +gets the job done for simple barometric control of dual deployment. Note +that while early versions had a firmware bug that we believe is at least +partially responsible for Bdale's loss of his first L3 project, recent +versions seem fine. For another $20, the +[PerfectFlite](http://www.perfectflite.com/) +[miniAlt/WD](http://www.perfectflite.com/catalog/MAWD.html) +adds the ability to records the barometric flight altitude profile. Both +of Bdale's L3 certs flew with one each of these two commercial altimeters, +and we often use the MAWD as a backup for our +[TeleMetrum](http://altusmetrum.org/TeleMetrum) units during test flights. + +The [BeeLine TX](http://www.bigredbee.com/BeeLine.htm) boards from Big Red +Bee are radio tracking transmitters that just work. They require an +[amateur radio](http://www.altusmetrum.org/Radio) license, but we think +anyone flying big rockets can and should get one of those anyway! + +## Books ## + +While a lot of great information is available on the web, there are some paper +books that we've found very helpful at various stages. + +* Handbook of Model Rocketry, 7th Edition (NAR Official Handbook) + may be the best first book on model rocketry. While the focus is on small + rockets, the basic principles of static stability and construction covered + here are important at all levels of the hobby. + +* Modern High-Power Rocketry 2 + covers a lot of material, and is a great resource if you're starting to think + about a high power certification and don't have a club nearby, or just like + to read about how other people have done things and why. + +* [Topics in Advanced Model Rocketry](http://www.apogeerockets.com/topics_advanced_model_rocketry.asp) is definitely not for everyone, as it's heavy on + math and isn't a "how to" book at all! But, if you really want to understand + what's going on with higher performance models and/or inside the simulation + software we use when designing rockets, the material here will take you + a long way!