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