L.L. Electronics trackers work with com-spec receivers?

My son and I are working on a max-altitude E and G power rockets and our simulations are getting to altitudes where we're pretty sure we're going to lose visual contact. So we're looking into trackers, but of course want something very small and light to have the least impact on design. It seems like this transmitter would do very well for us:

https://www.radiotracking.com/transmitters-2/lf-1-2g-special

The transmitter price seems reasonable to me, but L.L. Electronic's receivers are pretty expensive, particularly if you get their antennas. So I was looking for alternatives. Does anyone know if the com-spec PR-100A will work:

https://www.com-spec.com/rocket/products.html

Reading its manual, it operates in two ranges including the "legacy 218/219 MHz band (100 total channels)", and from forums on TRF I see the L.L. Electronics trackers operate in the 216-220MHz range. But is frequency all that matters? Are these receivers looking for certain FM or AM signals/bursts or just a signal operating in that range?

Any advice on whether this would be a good setup would be appreciated.

You can also look at the Eggfinder. About $100 for the setup. You get a receiver and a transmitter that you have to assemble yourself. I have one and I love it.

Thanks for the pointer blackbrandt, but I'm looking for something MUCH lighter than their system. The transmitter I linked to is less than 2 grams. The eggtimer GPS transmitter is 20 grams.

The receiver you mentioned works in the 222 to 223 range. Unless someone knows for sure, I would recommend contacting L L Electronics to find out what frequency their transmitters are using.

You might want to check out Walston transmitters.

I own the 300 version of the com-spec.

I don't know what manual you are reading, but both of the receivers work primarily in the 222-223MHz range - the 219 and 220Mhz portion of the 1.25 meter band have largely been deprecated from amateur use by the federal government. The 300 goes to the top of 224, which is ok for the US and Canada. com-spec does have smaller transmitter's too. Take a look at PT-1B, it's the size of a quarter and only cost $49. https://www.com-spec.com/rcplane/index.html , it may serve your needs, and it's what I use for LPR.

If you really need the super-small size, Definitely contact L.L. Electronics. I'd be shocked if they weren't already tuning their transmitters to the 222MHz range when they sell them.

These are all analog receivers, so they are just looking for a signal - it get's converted to audio, and sounds like a pulse, or ping once a second or so. Once you test it, the sound is super-distinct, and you won't mistake stray signals for the actual transmitting beacon.

Just a fyi, these are all transmitting on the amateur radio frequencies. You are supposed to have a ham license (just a technical) to operate them.

Yes they well. You will need to special order the transmitter. I have two of them and they work with my com spec receiver.

My receiver is a 222 mhm receiver.

Handeman said:

The receiver you mentioned works in the 222 to 223 range. Unless someone knows for sure, I would recommend contacting L L Electronics to find out what frequency their transmitters are using.

You might want to check out Walston transmitters.

Click to expand...

From what I understand, Walston is a one man show. Jim Walston made a fine product (I have one). That being said, a friend of mine also with a Walston called them for a new transmitter. Jim Walston is rather elderly, and not quite with it from what he said. He also did not receive his transmitter.

I am a satisfied Walston owner, but I wanted to throw that out there.

Exceptional service and communication at LL Electronics. I purchased the xlf 6v because lots of folks in the Woosh club I fly with have these. If you tell LL electronics which receiver you will be using, they will build a compatible transmitter for you.

https://www.radiotracking.com/transmitters-2/xlf-6v

L.L. Electronics trackers are the system of choice around the KloudBusters and are used on literally hundreds of flights each year at Argonia.

The good folks there can customize pretty much any of their gear to match any existing hardware you already have. I would suggest not dismissing their receivers out of hand due to cost - their gear is top-notch and worth the cost.

--Lance.

Thanks everyone for your helpful replies, especially llikcteig1, scsager and cwbullet.

alexzogh said:

I own the 300 version of the com-spec.

I don't know what manual you are reading, but both of the receivers work primarily in the 222-223MHz range - the 219 and 220Mhz portion of the 1.25 meter band have largely been deprecated from amateur use by the federal government. The 300 goes to the top of 224, which is ok for the US and Canada. com-spec does have smaller transmitter's too. Take a look at PT-1B, it's the size of a quarter and only cost $49. https://www.com-spec.com/rcplane/index.html , it may serve your needs, and it's what I use for LPR.

Click to expand...

I have the Comm Spec PR-100A. It has 50 channels in the 218 - 219 MHz range, channels 10 - 59. Link to manual:

https://www.com-spec.com/rocket/manual/PDF PR-100A_2012-08-15-PL.pdf