Missile Works RTx?

[tim cubbedge]

Jim - what's delivery looking like for preorders?

 

[Brent]

I just received an email from him today on this. Here is a copy.

The production PCB panels are scheduled to be completed today, and we then transition into a 20-day SMD fabrication lead time. This is a new manufacturer and to drive down cost we have to stretch lead time. We should be shipping first units to all pre-purchasers starting in the latter half of May. We will reach out to you and everyone else who pre-paid to configure everything to your desired system configuration.

Thanks in advance for your patience.

 

[Dwatkins]

I just received an email from him today on this. Here is a copy.

The production PCB panels are scheduled to be completed today, and we then transition into a 20-day SMD fabrication lead time. This is a new manufacturer and to drive down cost we have to stretch lead time. We should be shipping first units to all pre-purchasers starting in the latter half of May. We will reach out to you and everyone else who pre-paid to configure everything to your desired system configuration.

Thanks in advance for your patience.

Seems by that schedule it should be the later half of June as May is almost over 😘

 

[dixontj93060]

Seems by that schedule it should be the later half of June as May is almost over 😘

You know engineering schedules... They stay intact until the day of announcing the slip then magically there is a new end date.

 

[MWC]

I just received an email from him today on this. Here is a copy.

The production PCB panels are scheduled to be completed today, and we then transition into a 20-day SMD fabrication lead time. This is a new manufacturer and to drive down cost we have to stretch lead time. We should be shipping first units to all pre-purchasers starting in the latter half of May. We will reach out to you and everyone else who pre-paid to configure everything to your desired system configuration.

Thanks in advance for your patience.

Brent -

Thanks for posting this (I've been swamped with day job, travel, family matters, new fabricator woes, etc...). The email *should have said late JUNE* (whoops). In the meantime we are finalizing everything for release.

Thanks again to all for your collective patience... the rocketry biz is a part-time endeavor, and we try our best to stay on top of our backlog.

J

 

[ksaves2]

This systems looks very impressive. Have patience my children, I'm certain this will live up to your tracking expectations! Kurt Savegnago

 

[T34zac]

I'm sure it will as well. I got to use it and had the easiest time tracking my rocket. The data that I had during the flight too was pretty astounding.

 

[MWC]

Just a quick update:

We're flying what we hope is our final production version of the RTx System this weekend. Ben and Elaine Russell are attending the URRF Launch in Potter and are putting production PCB's/Hardware/Firmware and mDACS software through the last rounds of sanity checks. If all goes well, we're finally going to be ready for fulfillment starting next week (pre-orders first).

If your curious about the RTx hardware or the operations, be sure and look them up along the flight line.
Thanks again to everyone for your patience as we've worked through all of the due diligence of development and testing.

 

[cwbullet]

Woo Hoo. I notice the new options on your website. What antenna can you use on the threaded attachment? That was not clear on the website.

 

[Hybrid33]

Questions
1) Bluetooth, will it work in Carbon Fiber tubes and couplers when using Aluminum AV bay Caps and Aluminum cap on the aft end of fiberglass nosecone coupler?

2) GPS-Flush or Edge mount? Is the Edge mount affected in any way by an Aluminum tip Nosecone? Is the Flush mount better when nose cone is hanging down under parachute or laying on it's side on the ground?

3) Why not build all units with the RPSMA connector and sell a wire whip with connector attached, giving the user the ability to configure as needed or as room permits?

4)Jim A. weill you be at Airfest ? will you be available to Flash the RRC3 units there for use with bluetooth or wired hookup to the RTX ?

 

[MWC]

Questions

1) Bluetooth, will it work in Carbon Fiber tubes and couplers when using Aluminum AV bay Caps and Aluminum cap on the aft end of fiberglass nosecone coupler?

2) GPS-Flush or Edge mount? Is the Edge mount affected in any way by an Aluminum tip Nosecone? Is the Flush mount better when nose cone is hanging down under parachute or laying on it's side on the ground?

3) Why not build all units with the RPSMA connector and sell a wire whip with connector attached, giving the user the ability to configure as needed or as room permits?

4)Jim A. weill you be at Airfest ? will you be available to Flash the RRC3 units there for use with bluetooth or wired hookup to the RTX ?

1. The first Bluetooth module we're releasing is intended for comms between your Base RTx unit and an Android device. This same module will also operate "in rocket" to allow mDACS (or are upcoming Android app) to connect to either an RRC3 or RTx system. This is a Class2 module and the materials you cite will attenuate signal, how much I just don't know at this time. (As an aside, you will need the v1.60 RRC3 reflash if you want mDACS/Bluetooth capability). We're still evaluating the RN-42 Master/Slave modules for tethering RRC3 and RTx units, but v1.54 works fine in this application.

2. Edge mount units should be offset as much as possible from center on Al tip cones, and the rule of thumb is to avoid anything metallic that's in the patch reception radius. Flush mount vs. edge during descent is a mixed bag as both will equally flop, and when it's on the ground a flush mount could point straight down to terra-firma. At this stage you're likely to already have received your last coordinate update before touchdown.

3. We like options and because the radios are a "push" when it comes to cost of either style. We'll likely have 1/4" wave RPSMA wire whip at some point, but do realize this requires more parts and labor, so it would be reflected in the system price. We're already throwing in the base antenna, and for most Sport Flyers the wire whip will suffice. It's also stress-relieved on the radio module.

4. No promises, but I am investigating plans to attend Airfest this year. If I come I'll ensure I bring my MSP-FET module for reflashes... you don't need v1.60 for RTx/RRC3 tethers (v1.54 minimum), but you will need it for Bluetooth connections to mDACS.

 

[DavidMcCann]

We're flying what we hope is our final production version of the RTx System this weekend. Ben and Elaine Russell are attending the URRF Launch in Potter and are putting production PCB's/Hardware/Firmware and mDACS software through the last rounds of sanity checks.

Accidentally ran into them both yesterday when my daughter randomly ran towards their pop-up because she wanted to "camp there for the weekend" Crazy kid, but Ben and Elaine were quite cool about it. While there I got to checkout the system as he was prepping it for flight. Very very cool system. Watched the flight and also got to checkout the receiver. The distance to target and directional arrows are pretty slick.

 

[Hybrid33]

Thank You Jim for taking the time to Answer My Questions.
Is there a huge Improvement on the Up part of flight with the Edge Mount GPS over the Flush Mount.
Thanks again

 

[MWC]

Thank You Jim for taking the time to Answer My Questions.
Is there a huge Improvement on the Up part of flight with the Edge Mount GPS over the Flush Mount.
Thanks again

I have not done any quantitative analysis on the difference, however, the overhead constellation is optimized with this patch mounting orientation. If you've got the real-estate and you want optimized boost-coast data, I'd recommend going with this option.

 

[cwbullet]

Jim,

What antenna can you use with the SMA connector?

 

[MWC]

Jim,

What antenna can you use with the SMA connector?

Chuck -

The connectors are RPSMA, the opposite of SMA... think of the RP version as the "reverse pin" orientation... the typical male center pin is in the receptacle side (it's a hermaphrodite). Both the "standard" and "navigator" systems are furnished with a BASE antenna, but if you want the non-wire-whip version of a rocket unit, you'll need an RPSMA extension cable that bolts thru a bulkhead and an external antenna that screws into that fitting. I'm sourcing up a Flexing 900 MHz antenna and an 8" extension cable for this... should be arriving soon.

 

[cwbullet]

Jim,

Which would give you the longest range?

 

[MWC]

The manufacturer rates the radios for 10 mile LOS operations using 3dBi antennas... the best empirical performance using XBee's I've seen in a rocket/tracking application was using a wire-whip "in-rocket" and a 5dBi dipole at the base providing a nearly 40K AGL flight @ Black Rock with full up and down telemetry.

 

[Crazyrocket]

OK, I got a question for the technically inept. My planned usage is sport flying and ensuring that I can find my rocket. Not sure what kind of space I will have in my NC or even the configuration (most will be retrofit for the RTx). It appears that the edge mount will require more space and possibly different mounting. Is this correct? For my intended use, I was thinking flush mount with a wire whip. Will performance be significantly reduced? I plan to only go at most 10K so high performance is not really required in my case.

On a side question, do you plan to sell mounting cases for the base unit and LCD? If so, is there a rough price range?

Thanks for your help!

 

[blackjack2564]

I have 6 flights between 11,000 & 16,600 ft with the standard wire antenna. I just mounted the GPS to a sled barely same size as unit. The battery is taped to back side & GPS mounted on other. I run the power wire out same hole as ejection charge. Turn it on at my table, get lock, then tape to BP. Install NC, shear pins & head to pad. This will give you a "hot" start at pads, having already locked on satellites. Instead of powering up on pad & waiting for lock. If using the recommended battery [750Ma single cell 3.7] you have 10 hrs of run time, so there is no issue there. The highest flight was 2.1 miles landing.

I wrap this with bubble wrap & stick in nose cone or back side of altimeter sleds. Works great this way, signal strong & walk right to rocket. Masking tape was there just to keep antenna from catching anything when handling.

I have done both types of installation ....standard & small duck placed on external side of aluminum BP. The standard method is SO much simpler to do & move between rockets. That's what I would recommend for your application.

I have mounted on sled with designated power switch, but that's a bear to move between rockets, requiring removing the mounting screws and re-wiring to switch. Having it on it's own tiny sled, completey self contained, is the way to go if using it in several rockets.
[for me anyhow....lol]

 

[Crazyrocket]

Thanks Jim! I appreciate the information. Any issues if the NC bulkhead plate is held in place with all-thread? I know there can be some issues, but not sure if it is a significant problem. Would prefer not to redesign the NCs on a bunch of rockets. Thanks!

 

[blackjack2564]

I can only address that regarding a 4in Extreme Wildman. The only rocket I have using all thread in NC, that I've used it in so far......

Being wrapped in bubble stuff, it was placed antenna's facing the outside of cone, close to sides away from althread. I just stuffed front tip of NC full of wadded up paper, rest bubble wrap and stuck my sled close to side of cone. Packed ready for this...... a rag..... in back to hold everything in place. It works fine.

While testing this thing...I had to scramble to move it between several rockets.....not only mine, but I put it in other fliers rockets who wanted to see how well it worked. Hence the put it on it's own board developed. Works so well & so easy to move between flights, I'm sticking with it.
Wrap it, stick it in place , stuff something behind to hold immovable and your good to go. Plastic, paper, T-shirt anything radio transparent. When nose cone is not available, several of mine are older and glued together, just stick it in av-bay where ever there is room. Just be sure to test first. Put matches on altimeter and turn everything on for 5-10 minutes, if there is no interference, you are good to go. So far there have been no issues.

Always face antenna's away from any metal rods & towards outside of bay. Final note: mark your bay or nc, so you know where the antenna's are & don't have it facing the rail or rails in tower. If it too close/facing a launch rail, you may not get lock...your in a faraday cage. That happened during initial testing in a tower. When finally figured out why we lost lock overtime it was IN tower, simply turning the bay so antenna was BETWEEN the rails solved the issue.

 

[ksaves2]

I kinda like some of the colored translucent FG nosecones out there now. I've been able to see the flashing led's of the GPS tracker through the nosecone! Fully radio-lucent too. Kurt

 

[Crazyrocket]

Thanks again Jim for your information. It was very helpful (as usual)!

 

[Dwatkins]

So has anyone gotten their preorder email yet?

 

[wefly2]

not me

 

[djkingsley]

Me either, still waiting for the email asking about configuration, but I did just get an RRC3 in less than a week.

 

[MWC]

All -

Sorry, I should have updated this thread... We are running an additional round of flight tests this weekend to see if we can repeat a flash memory recording anomaly experienced @ URRF. In addition I'm reworking the mDACS app to support Bluetooth Host connection to the RRC3. Because the serial port gets occupied so early after boot up with the RTx platform, I'm still pondering how I'll lace in Bluetooth mDACS host support.

I'm also bringing in additional antenna and cabling options (crossover cables for RTx/RRC3), RPSMA extenders, high-gain base antennas, all which need shopping cart infrastructure, photos, etc... plus I still have to photo up and add all the 3D printed stuff.

 

[djkingsley]

Thanks for the update Jim.

 

[jd2cylman]

So.... Just between us... In very simple terms, what are the differences between the Standard RTx version and the Navigator RTx version?
I plan on using my existing LCD terminal in the 3D printed case to walk to the rocket (hopefully).

Adrian