Hi all- I'm not sure if this is common knowledge or not, but I lost the page of my notebook that had all my Eggtimer Switch and Quantum SSIDs and Passwords, and thought, "There has to be a better way!" Boards are too small for me to write on, so I thought about leveraging technology...and it worked!
1) google a QR Code generator website that will accept free-text (there are several, the one that I chose is https://www.the-qrcode-generator.com/, but I have no affiliation with them).
2) Type out the info you need to store- in my case I wrote: SSID: Quantum_xxxyyy (insert real characters here), and on the next line, Pass: aaaazzzz, and included a line to indicate the version of firmware on the device (so I can check it at a glance- if there's an update, I'll reprint the QR).
3) Print on label paper (as durable as possible), and cut out the little square, and stick it to the WiFi metal shield. I experimented with sizes- default is 1" square, which is too large to fit on the shield. I tested 0.5", 0.33" and 0.25"; the 0.25" would read, but it took awhile, and not always easily. The 0.33" read quickly and consistently for me, so i went with that. You can adjust the size using whichever program you're using to print...YMMV.
4) I only had regular address labels at home with an inkjet printer, so I printed on a label, and then covered with matte-finish Scotch tape (the normal kind we all have in our kitchen drawers). I then trimmed out the code, and applied it to the devices. See Photos below.
4) download a QR reader suitable for your device (again, there are dozens, use what works for you)
5) If you need to know what the settings are, activate your reader, and point it at the code you previously printed, and presto, all the info you need is in your hand!
The limits of QR code are pretty large- about 4000 characters for the basic type...I'm thinking of implementing the following- what else can you think of?
A) For MPR, I currently have a table printed on decal paper showing the 29/40-120 options and their simulated altitudes...QR code would take that from a table and reduce it to a quarter of a postage stamp (and could include optimal delays!).
B) For HPR- one could (maybe?) write a checklist and store it as a QR code. Stick the code somewhere prominent, and ensure it is scanned before you leave the flight line. This allows for customized checklists for rockets that may have unique requrements.
C) For all- create a QR code that includes your Name, Phone, NAR/TRA Member ID, whatever else you want- stick it somewhere conspicuous on your rocket or hardware (or payload, if it's deployable). Some individual who finds it (rocketeer or not) may recognize the symbol, and scan it on his or her smartphone (Chrome has an included app for this, you don't even need to download anything if you have Chrome).
D) Stick a QR code on your AT cases showing which loads go within, or which need FSD, etc. Not sure if this will work, since the clearance is tight, and the case gets hot, but the fact that there are so many variables with AT is one reason (one BIG reason) I enjoy flying CTI. If I can use technology to take some of the mental angst out, I would!
E) Some day it would be AWESOME to have a "Club approved QR code" on each bird- in it are the vital stats that you have to fill in again and again on the flight cards. RSO might have a smart-device, scans the code, you enter or authorize a few key details (engine, recovery), and your flight is recorded in the club database. A LOT more efficient than flight cards?
What else have you done with this? What else can we do?
1) google a QR Code generator website that will accept free-text (there are several, the one that I chose is https://www.the-qrcode-generator.com/, but I have no affiliation with them).
2) Type out the info you need to store- in my case I wrote: SSID: Quantum_xxxyyy (insert real characters here), and on the next line, Pass: aaaazzzz, and included a line to indicate the version of firmware on the device (so I can check it at a glance- if there's an update, I'll reprint the QR).
3) Print on label paper (as durable as possible), and cut out the little square, and stick it to the WiFi metal shield. I experimented with sizes- default is 1" square, which is too large to fit on the shield. I tested 0.5", 0.33" and 0.25"; the 0.25" would read, but it took awhile, and not always easily. The 0.33" read quickly and consistently for me, so i went with that. You can adjust the size using whichever program you're using to print...YMMV.
4) I only had regular address labels at home with an inkjet printer, so I printed on a label, and then covered with matte-finish Scotch tape (the normal kind we all have in our kitchen drawers). I then trimmed out the code, and applied it to the devices. See Photos below.
4) download a QR reader suitable for your device (again, there are dozens, use what works for you)
5) If you need to know what the settings are, activate your reader, and point it at the code you previously printed, and presto, all the info you need is in your hand!
The limits of QR code are pretty large- about 4000 characters for the basic type...I'm thinking of implementing the following- what else can you think of?
A) For MPR, I currently have a table printed on decal paper showing the 29/40-120 options and their simulated altitudes...QR code would take that from a table and reduce it to a quarter of a postage stamp (and could include optimal delays!).
B) For HPR- one could (maybe?) write a checklist and store it as a QR code. Stick the code somewhere prominent, and ensure it is scanned before you leave the flight line. This allows for customized checklists for rockets that may have unique requrements.
C) For all- create a QR code that includes your Name, Phone, NAR/TRA Member ID, whatever else you want- stick it somewhere conspicuous on your rocket or hardware (or payload, if it's deployable). Some individual who finds it (rocketeer or not) may recognize the symbol, and scan it on his or her smartphone (Chrome has an included app for this, you don't even need to download anything if you have Chrome).
D) Stick a QR code on your AT cases showing which loads go within, or which need FSD, etc. Not sure if this will work, since the clearance is tight, and the case gets hot, but the fact that there are so many variables with AT is one reason (one BIG reason) I enjoy flying CTI. If I can use technology to take some of the mental angst out, I would!
E) Some day it would be AWESOME to have a "Club approved QR code" on each bird- in it are the vital stats that you have to fill in again and again on the flight cards. RSO might have a smart-device, scans the code, you enter or authorize a few key details (engine, recovery), and your flight is recorded in the club database. A LOT more efficient than flight cards?
What else have you done with this? What else can we do?