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.
54 These are projects we're working on that may become products someday:
57 is the name of the firmware and related utilities that Keith maintains for
58 the set of hardware projects here.
60 * [MicroPeak](MicroPeak/)
61 is a rocket altimeter that is both precise and tiny, designed to be the
62 ideal altimeter for model rocket contests.
64 * [TelePyro](TelePyro/) is a companion board for [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/)
65 that adds 8 additional pyro channels.
67 * [TeleScience](TeleScience/) is a companion board for
68 [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/) that adds 12 channels of thermistor or generic
69 analog sensor input, and 5 general purpose I/O lines.
71 * [TeleTerra](TeleTerra) is a hand-held ground station for use with
72 [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/) and [TeleMini](TeleMini/).
74 * [TeleBT](TeleBT) is a variation on [TeleDongle](TeleDongle/) that adds
75 [Bluetooth](http://www.bluetooth.com) as an alternative to USB.
77 * [TeleShield](TeleShield/) is an [Arduino](http://arduino.cc) radio shield.
79 * [TeleNano](TeleNano/)
80 is a tiny rocketry altimeter with telemetry using only a barometric
84 was Bdale's original project here, a dual-deploy rocketry altimeter. One
85 prototype was built, but never flown. This project is now indefinitely on hold.
89 The motivation for the circuits and software you will find on this site is
90 our loosely-knit group's shared interest in hobby rocketry. This very brief
91 [Ted presentation by Steve Jurvetson](http://www.ted.com/talks/steve_jurvetson_on_model_rocketry.html)
92 quickly conveys at least part of why we do this. John Coker
93 has published an excellent
94 [overview of hobby rocketry](http://www.jcrocket.com/welcome.shtml)
95 on his web site. Keith has also put together some useful notes about the
96 process of [certification](http://keithp.com/rockets/certification/) to
97 fly high power rockets.
99 To find more information about the rockets Bdale and his son have built, see
100 [Garbee Rockets](http://www.gag.com/rockets).
102 As Bdale and Robert became more experienced in the hobby and started to build
103 and fly more sophisticated projects, we started to feel limited by the
104 existing electronics products available. OpenAlt was Bdale's first
105 attempt to address this situation with a completely open hardware and software
106 design... other project have since followed, and it's cool to have help from
107 Keith and other friends!
109 # [Using Altus Metrum Products](Uses) #
111 # [Presentations](talks) #
115 If you aren't already playing with model rockets, that's a good place to
116 start. Finding a local [NAR Section](http://nar.org/NARsect.html) or
117 [Tripoli](http://tripoli.org) Prefecture is a good idea, since you can
118 learn a lot and see some great flights by showing up at a club launch.
120 As we make progress, you can read about it in our [News](News) feed. Feel
121 free to subscribe to our
122 [mailing list](http://lists.gag.com/mailman/listinfo/altusmetrum). We also
123 hang out on IRC channel #altusmetrum on irc.oftc.net if you have
124 questions that aren't answered here. You can also find us on
125 [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=341167482968)
127 [Google+](https://plus.google.com/109995815990298399569).
129 Our main projects include radio links. If you don't already have one,
130 getting an [Amateur Radio](./Radio) license would be a good thing to do!
132 And if you just can't wait to show your support for our efforts, visit
133 our [Cafe Press Logo Shop](http://cafepress.com/altusmetrum) or our
134 [Printfection Logo Shop](http://printfection.com/altusmetrum) (we're trying
135 to decide which is better, comments welcome!) and buy a t-shirt or sticker!
139 ![United States flag](USflag.png)
140 Altus Metrum products are designed and manufactured in the
141 United States of America.
145 This site is powered by [ikiwiki](http://ikiwiki.info),
146 and hosted by [Garbee and Garbee](http://www.gag.com)
147 using [Debian GNU/Linux](http://www.debian.org)
148 and [Apache](http://www.apache.org).