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