Hello Rob,
It might make a difference as to how you define inexpensive? Inexpensive compared to what?
As I'm sure you've heard before now, you get what you pay for. The Pratt system is a good system. I do not deny that. But it is not a very flexible system. The only way to make it bigger is to buy more of them. And it has very few features beyond continuity. It is a 6 pad system and that's all there is.
I happen to be the owner operator of Wilson F/X Digital Control Systems. There are now 42 clubs and 19 individuals with Wilson F/X digital launch control systems. I guarantee my systems for 10 years against any internal system defects. And I've got a 23 year track record of Wilson F/X digital launch system technology being in the hands of rocket clubs across this land of ours. Oh yeah and Australia and the Netherlands. So I do speak with some experience in the marketplace of launch control systems.
There are several threads in the ground support section that deal with "club sized systems. I would suggest reading thru them.
But a basic 8-pad Wilson F/X system will cost you $700 which is one LCU-64 and an PBU-8 eight-pad pad-box to go with it. The controller is a 64 pad controller, up to eight banks of eight pads each.
The WFX system does voltage reading of the battery at the pads, at the pads and remotely thru the controller. Your Wilson F/X system can be upgraded to wireless. The continuity circuit in a Wilson F/X system is even flashbulb safe for those of us who remember using flashbulbs for igniters.
If you want a Pratt system to operate 6 pads at 100 feet from the LCO table you will have to lay down 600 feet of extension cords to go between the controller and the pads. With Wilson F/X you would only need 100 feet of cord to reach out to 8-pads at 100 feet away pads.
If you want the Pratt system to go out to 6 pads at 200 feet from the LCO table you'll need 1200 feet of extension cords. with Wilson F/X you'd need 200 feet of extension cords to reach all 8 pads at 200 feet from the LCO table.
And if you want 6 pads at 100 feet and 6 pads at 200 feet, the Pratt system will need 1800 feet of extension cords out to those 12 pads. Wilson F/X would need just 200 feet to reach 16 pads, 8 at 100 feet and 8 at 200 feet from the LCO. You just plug the second 100 feet into the first hundred feet cord for Wilson F/X.
So yes, Pratt's 6-pack will only cost you $150, but you have to add the costs for extra extension cords for each individual pad, as well the time to lay them out and roll them up at the end of the launch. Then compare that to A Wilson F/X systems set up and take down time and the cost in "man-hours" for Wilson F/X goes down hugely.
If you're interested, I've attached a current price list which has short but accurate descriptions of each of the various components in the Wilson F/X family of digital launch control units.
Let me know if you have any questions. Or if you'd prefer you can contact me at:
[email protected]
as well.
Brad, the "Rocket Rev.," Wilson
TRA #1630 L-3
NAR #70929 L-3