I've got a few questions:
* Regarding fit (or lack of) into a 38mm tube - is it possible to either alter the case, or take the guts out of the case so that they would fit into a 38mm? I know that some folks do something along these lines with Garmin dog trackers.
This unit appears to be made and marketed for all kinds of uses, with Kent realizing that it's applicable to rocketry and therefore presenting to all of us. But I have a bunch of questions specifically related to actual rocketry use. Seeing as the company that makes it did not do so with rocketry in mind, it occurs to me that a lot of "real world" rocketry beta testing was perhaps not done. I'm seeing experience with using these units with drones, dogs, car tracking, etc., but not much or any ACTUAL rocketry use. Concerns are:
* Will these dork altimeters if they are in the same AV bay, or close by?
* Any concerns with being close to all-thread and such, as typically found in many AV bays?
* Will they maintain or lose GPS/cell lock under acceleration, and how well/quickly do they regain it?
* Any issues with obtaining or maintaining GPS/cell lock when inside various nose cone or airframe materials (glass, carbon, etc.)?
* If you were taping the unit to a shock cord (as is typical with many RF transmitters), how to these hold up to this sort of use/abuse?
* Any concerns with shock/knocking about/high-G situations?
* Lastly, a big concern. I confess I'm pretty ignorant about legalities involved, as well as how this unit actually works, so my concerns here could be unfounded. That said, my understanding has always been that launching/flying cell phones is a big no-no as far as the FAA is concerned. Isn't this what you are in effect doing with this unit? Am I right that this unit is a basically a GPS receiver coupled with a "cell phone" that calls it's GPS data back to another cell phone on the ground? Is it legal for us to use them in this way?
Kent, please don't think I'm bashing this. Assuming there are satisfactory answers to these questions, I think this unit has great potential for us, and I can see lots of folks using them. More (and cheaper) tracking options is a very good thing. I just want to make sure that we are "doing it right".
I look forward to the discussion,
s6
Okay Mr. 6,
Let me take your questions in order:
a. can you alter the case? I am certain knowing you'al out there that it is only a matter of time before someone tries. Be forwarned, you will void any warranty
b. I asked the sales manager if this unit would handle shocks of 25-50gs and he said yes. Personally, my unit came loose from my drone and 300 feet and hit onto a concrete parking lot and nothing happened-it still worked. I will provide my personal unit for use at the Airfest launch coming up the end of this month at Argonia to those interested.
c. I cannot answer how these might affect other electronics, that is a case by case situation for any electronics you need to confirm as you mount them in a rocket. But appreciate the fact that drones have a boat-load of electronics of a far more sophisticated nature than any rocket that I am aware of in this hobby. In fact, except for a little aluminum, some carbon fiber or plastic, that is all they are is electronics, and they get along happy as clams with a TRACKIMO.
d. Will all-thread affect a TRACKIMO's performance? Please refer back to my movie where I show it operating inside a metal car trunk and it still produces normal way-points. In fact TRACKIMO sell this same unit with different cords so you can install it permanently inside your car as a method to locate your car if some shyster steals it. The answer is no, all-thread will have no effect.
e. Will it loose lock under acceleration? Certainly, all GPS I have ever seen have lost lock but then regain it within seconds. But it doesn't matter because it only pulses out a way-point at the maximum of once per minute anyway.
f. As stated in my movie, I cannot advise in regards to carbon fiber blocking the signal. Then again, and I can give you more examples, I turn it on before I leave home to go to a job, and it rides inside my car just fine. Fiberglass will not block any signal.
g. I would not tape anything or any tracking device to a shockcord. Not because it will damage the TRACKIMO or any RF transmitter, but you run the real risk of a poor attachment to the shokcord and then the rocket and tracker go their separate ways and you have accomplished nothing. And I would like a dollar for every antenna I have had to replace on my Walston transmitters. REMINDER-there are no external antennas on a TRACKIMO.
h. I know nothing about the FAA and cell phones except you are not to have one on while you are in an airliner. If you have any information towards not putting cell equipment in rockets outside of conjecture, hey, I am all ears.
I know you are not bashing and I appreciate the thought you have put into your questions. Also, I appreciate you wanting to do the right thing.
Keep the questions coming, I will do my best to answer and also tell you if I don't know as well.
Kent/glr