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