X-Git-Url: https://git.gag.com/?p=web%2Fgag.com;a=blobdiff_plain;f=rockets%2Findex.mdwn;h=b2575023da86d952b5d414ccd0039948742f4c67;hp=0b286af175d26f9758b54c3c8ccdc2c227d5b8ba;hb=b7d5eec51bfd6d6bedb9f23906edc3ebe6be7e1b;hpb=1ef8bbb7e04bb487734a85ce89b9235a0c1a12f1
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@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
# Garbee Rockets #
-
+
Building and launching model rockets is one of our favorite hobby activities
right now. While everyone in the family gets into the act in one way or
@@ -14,28 +14,7 @@ being father and son affairs...
high power certification. Robert is [NAR](http://nar.org/) Jr member
87104.
-## Airframes ##
-
-### Bdale's L3 Projects ###
-
-* A custom rocket for NAR L3 certification, called
- [YikStik](airframes/yikstik). This rocket flew beautifully but a
- significant portion was lost and not recovered. Feel free to look through
- my [collection of photos](http://gallery.gag.com/rockets/yikstik/)
- from the build and flight.
-
-* A second airframe for NAR L3 certification, this one based on a
- Polecat Aerospace [Goblin 10](airframes/goblin10) kit and capable of
- flying at more launch sites in Colorado. Flew on 15 November 2008 at the
- SCORE Hudson Ranch launch site on an Aerotech M1297W
- to 5953 feet AGL for a successful level 3 certification! See
- [photos by James Russell](http://picasaweb.google.com/jamesr2/StealeyMemorialLaunchSiteHudsonRanch)
- and a [Jeff Lane video](http://cosrocs.org/all%20other%20videos/2008videos/11-15hudson/bdale_L3.mov)
- of the flight! You can also have a look at my
- [photos of the build and flight](http://gallery.gag.com/rockets/goblin10/)
- from various contributors.
-
-### [The Rest of the Fleet](airframes) ###
+## [Airframes](airframes) ##
## Clubs ##
@@ -86,18 +65,49 @@ See some of our launch photos in Bdale's
-
-
+We also fly commercial altimeters in some projects. The cheapest off the
+shelf altimeter we've used and often recommend to beginners is the
+[Missile Works](http://www.missileworks.com/) RRC2-mini. At about $80, it
+gets the job done for simple barometric control of dual deployment. Note
+that while early versions had a firmware bug that we believe is at least
+partially responsible for Bdale's loss of his first L3 project, recent
+versions seem fine. For another $20, the
+[PerfectFlite](http://www.perfectflite.com/)
+[miniAlt/WD](http://www.perfectflite.com/catalog/MAWD.html)
+adds the ability to records the barometric flight altitude profile. Both
+of Bdale's L3 certs flew with one each of these two commercial altimeters,
+and we often use the MAWD as a backup for our
+[TeleMetrum](http://altusmetrum.org/TeleMetrum) units during test flights.
+
+The [BeeLine TX](http://www.bigredbee.com/BeeLine.htm) boards from Big Red
+Bee are radio tracking transmitters that just work. They require an
+[amateur radio](http://www.altusmetrum.org/Radio) license, but we think
+anyone flying big rockets can and should get one of those anyway!
+
+## Books ##
+
+While a lot of great information is available on the web, there are some paper
+books that we've found very helpful at various stages.
+
+* Handbook of Model Rocketry, 7th Edition (NAR Official Handbook)
+ may be the best first book on model rocketry. While the focus is on small
+ rockets, the basic principles of static stability and construction covered
+ here are important at all levels of the hobby.
+
+* Modern High-Power Rocketry 2
+ covers a lot of material, and is a great resource if you're starting to think
+ about a high power certification and don't have a club nearby, or just like
+ to read about how other people have done things and why.
+
+* Topics in Advanced Model Rocketry is definitely not for
+ everyone, as it's heavy on math and isn't a "how to" book at all! The
+ others are great general books for learning about and gaining greater
+ enjoyment from the hobby.