Wow, I like the EggFinder
https://www.eggtimerrocketry.com/Home_page_1.php, it's definitely easier to get into than the ham-licensed radios, but yes the DIY assembly is a steep learning curve for some. I've done some simple thru-the-hole component assembly, but there's lots of components and some appear to be surface-mount. I'm looking for the "Upgrade to Assembled" option on the Purchase page, not seeing it (extra $$ well spent in my case).
Thanks for the info on another locator option!
Thomas
Here you go:
https://eggassembly.webs.com/
Connor will put it together for you. You can order it and have it sent to him. Contact him about case arrangements if you get an EggFinder LCD. The LCD unit is the way to go. If one uses the Android app, GPS Rocket Locator and it
poops out on 'em, they can input the lat/long by hand into a handheld mapping GPS and still get to the rocket. Once the rocket touches down, one will lose the signal if it's far enough away. Go to the last known position packet and it's
usually close enough if you can't see the downed rocket, you'll get a new packet that will take you to it.
The Ham radio APRS method is just a notch above the Eggfinder in that there are two radios that will give Rolls-Royce receiving performance. The Yaesu VX-8GR (unfortunately OOP) and the Kenwood D72A. The Kenwood D7A(g) would work except it is very old and OOP too. I have two of the D7A(g)'s and they are unusable because the internal frequency oscillators have gone out of spec and not worth getting them fixed.
It takes one cable to interface with a Garmin 60Cs or CsX both GPS units of which can be had on ebay for a reasonable cost. One doesn't have to use Garmin maps and can simply download free Open Source maps here:
https://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/. Stick the file on the micro SD chip and put in the unit.
A single cable from the round port on the Garmin to the D72A or VX8GR and complete realtime tracking and navigation can be had. You can "lock" the rocket while it's on the pad and its position will be tracked in realtime along with
a "realtime" navigation solution TO the rocket. Once the rocket is down, the last known position is locked in the device and one can scroll to the navigation HSI (Heading Situation Indicator) screen and it will point you to the rocket.
Plus, it will do full naviation like telling you how long it will take you to "get" to the site at your current speed! Just follow the arrow. You can scroll back and forth from the map to the HSI to your heart's content.
I really like being able to follow the flight and at least be facing the direction where the main chute is expected to deploy. Gives one a chance to get a visual fix. The altitude readout is on the screen of the radio so one can judge
the rate of descent by how fast the altitude scrolls down. Add field elevation to the expected main altitude deployment and you know when it should blow.
I've tracked many flights besides my own and with some really high flying rockets that disappear, people are facing the wrong direction to pickup on the main event (because they simply can't tell). I can yell out and point where to look.
The round port cable that goes from the Garmin to the radio is the same for both the D72 and the VX8GR. You get the cable for the D72A and it works for the 8GR.
https://www.gilssontechnologies.com/gagps4rococa.html
It's this cable:
https://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/gilsson_2258_4971870
Yeah you need a ham Tech ticket and the 72A is $450.00. In the past the 60Csx was pushing $400.00 and you have to get an APRS tracker that can run from $130.00 to $250.00. The 60CsX one can probably get for $150.00 now
and an AP510 for a large rocket is around $130.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JLB94IS/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
This looks like a lot of money but if you launch a rocket up worth >$400.00 of flight hardware and it goes sight unseen, recovering it intact makes the investment in the tracking system seem worthwhile.
Cripes, you pull this off with a $40.00 tracker you've recovered your investment in one flight.
Sooooo...................... The EggFinder/LCD is very attractive for a self contained unit for one who might be launching at a venue with spotty cell phone coverage and doesn't desire to get a ham license. I do both kinds of tracking with an EggFinder and APRS and I am very impressed with the EggFinder. Can't beat the startup cost for a self-contained GPS tracking system. Kurt