1 ![Altus Metrum Logo](logo.png)
3 <link href="https://plus.google.com/109995815990298399569/" rel="publisher" />
5 Open hardware and software designs
6 for high powered model rocketry by
7 [Bdale Garbee](http://gag.com/~bdale) and
8 [Keith Packard](http://keithp.com/keithp).
10 All hardware designs on this site are licensed under the
11 [TAPR](http://www.tapr.org/)
12 [Open Hardware License](http://www.tapr.org/ohl.html),
13 and all the software is under the
14 [GNU](http://www.gnu.org/)
15 [General Public License, version 2](http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0.html)
16 or compatible licenses.
18 # [Latest News](News) #
22 All Altus Metrum products are available from the
23 [Garbee and Garbee](http://auric.gag.com) web
24 store. Additionally, starter kits are available from our distributors,
25 including [Apogee Components](http://www.apogeerockets.com),
26 [Australian Rocketry](http://www.ausrocketry.com), and
27 [Aerospace Education](http://www.rockets.co.nz) in New Zealand.
29 # Download the latest [AltOS](AltOS/) software version #
33 These products are all available for purchase:
35 * [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/)
36 is our flagship product, a dual-deploy rocketry altimeter with
37 GPS and bidirectional RF telemetry link.
39 * [TeleMini](TeleMini/)
40 is a smaller dual-deploy rocketry altimeter with telemetry using only a
41 barometric pressure sensor
43 * [TeleDongle](TeleDongle/)
44 is a simple RF interface for use in ground stations interacting with rockets
45 using [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/). It may also be useful as a generic RF
46 interface for other microcontroller systems.
48 * [LipoCharger](LipoCharger/)
49 is a standalone battery charger for the Lithium Polymer batteries used in
50 Altus Metrum products.
52 * [MicroPeak](MicroPeak/)
53 is a rocket altimeter that is both precise and tiny, designed to be the
54 ideal altimeter for model rocket contests.
58 These are projects we're working on that may become products someday:
61 is the name of the firmware and related utilities that Keith maintains for
62 the set of hardware projects here.
64 * [MegaDongle](MegaDongle/)
65 is a higher-performance alternative to [TeleDongle](TeleDongle/).
67 * [MegaMetrum](MegaMetrum/)
68 is a high-end flight computer with 6 pyro channels, more and better sensors,
69 GPS, and a high performance bidirectional RF telemetry link.
72 was Bdale's original project here, a dual-deploy rocketry altimeter. One
73 prototype was built, but never flown. This project is now indefinitely on hold.
75 * [TeleBT](TeleBT) is a variation on [TeleDongle](TeleDongle/) that adds
76 [Bluetooth](http://www.bluetooth.com) as an alternative to USB.
78 * [TeleNano](TeleNano/)
79 is a tiny rocketry altimeter with telemetry using only a barometric
82 * [TelePyro](TelePyro/) is a companion board for [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/)
83 that adds 8 additional pyro channels.
85 * [TeleScience](TeleScience/) is a companion board for
86 [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/) that adds 12 channels of thermistor or generic
87 analog sensor input, and 5 general purpose I/O lines.
89 * [TeleShield](TeleShield/) is an [Arduino](http://arduino.cc) radio shield.
91 * [TeleTerra](TeleTerra) is a hand-held ground station for use with
92 [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/) and [TeleMini](TeleMini/).
96 The motivation for the circuits and software you will find on this site is
97 our loosely-knit group's shared interest in hobby rocketry. This very brief
98 [Ted presentation by Steve Jurvetson](http://www.ted.com/talks/steve_jurvetson_on_model_rocketry.html)
99 quickly conveys at least part of why we do this. John Coker
100 has published an excellent
101 [overview of hobby rocketry](http://www.jcrocket.com/welcome.shtml)
102 on his web site. Keith has also put together some useful notes about the
103 process of [certification](http://keithp.com/rockets/certification/) to
104 fly high power rockets.
106 To find more information about the rockets Bdale and his son have built, see
107 [Garbee Rockets](http://www.gag.com/rockets).
109 As Bdale and Robert became more experienced in the hobby and started to build
110 and fly more sophisticated projects, we started to feel limited by the
111 existing electronics products available. OpenAlt was Bdale's first
112 attempt to address this situation with a completely open hardware and software
113 design... other project have since followed, and it's cool to have help from
114 Keith and other friends!
116 # [Using Altus Metrum Products](Uses) #
118 # [Presentations](talks) #
122 If you aren't already playing with model rockets, that's a good place to
123 start. Finding a local [NAR Section](http://nar.org/NARsect.html) or
124 [Tripoli](http://tripoli.org) Prefecture is a good idea, since you can
125 learn a lot and see some great flights by showing up at a club launch.
127 As we make progress, you can read about it in our [News](News) feed. Feel
128 free to subscribe to our
129 [mailing list](http://lists.gag.com/mailman/listinfo/altusmetrum). We also
130 hang out on IRC channel #altusmetrum on irc.oftc.net if you have
131 questions that aren't answered here. You can also find us on
132 [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=341167482968)
134 [Google+](https://plus.google.com/109995815990298399569).
136 Our main projects include radio links. If you don't already have one,
137 getting an [Amateur Radio](./Radio) license would be a good thing to do!
139 And if you just can't wait to show your support for our efforts, visit
140 our [Cafe Press Logo Shop](http://cafepress.com/altusmetrum) or our
141 [Printfection Logo Shop](http://printfection.com/altusmetrum) (we're trying
142 to decide which is better, comments welcome!) and buy a t-shirt or sticker!
146 ![United States flag](USflag.png)
147 Altus Metrum products are designed and manufactured in the
148 United States of America.
152 This site is powered by [ikiwiki](http://ikiwiki.info),
153 and hosted by [Garbee and Garbee](http://www.gag.com)
154 using [Debian GNU/Linux](http://www.debian.org)
155 and [Apache](http://www.apache.org).