Does anyone have videos of the Eggfinder Tx and LCD Rx being used? Just wondering if it is any easier than just throwing the coordinates into Google Maps...
Disregard... I reread the description and apparently I thought it worked differently.
I think most folks stick the last known position coordinates into some sort of mapping GPS or app and navigate to the spot. The Android program "GPS Rocket Locator" does some live tracking and shows a continuous datum line to the last known position.
One can save the recovered positions to a file if they want to but it's up to them to manipulate the data.
I found a patch antenna leads to better recovery of more positions but the best strategy for the EggFinders is to blow the main as high as you comfortably can because with the slower descent your recovery of positions in real time improves immensely.
The other variable is how far you expect your rocket is going to drift. If the flight is expected to remain nearby, the stock antenna is likely to be enough to give you enough positions to get you either to the rocket or within the ground footprint of the
tracker.
A nice test of an installation is to put the tracker installation up on a ladder or roof with the antenna of the tracker in the position you expect it to be in when under main chute descent. A constant straight "up or down" antenna position of the tracker improves one's reception of positions. A tumbling rocket under drogue you are not going to see 1/sec recovery of positions period.
Walk away and see what kind of range you get. Now lay the tracker installation on the ground and walk away. See what the ground footprint of the tracker is. You only need to get within the ground footprint to affect a recovery if you don't already see the rocket at the last known position. If your rocket lands in a depression on the ground, the ground footprint can be markedly less than a level surface. If you can fit a "screamer" or beeper on the harness that can really help. Sheesh, I picked up a 140dB siren that can fit in a 2.75" rocket easily and might not need an Rf tracker with that thing blasting after an apogee event!
The only exception to the ground footprint rule is out on the playa the salts on the surface suck up Rf like a sponge. It acts as an attenuator. Your range with the rocket in the air is just as good as it is anywhere but once on the ground the ground footprint is zilch. Folks who RDF track out there are at risk of losing rockets whereas GPS trackers get them very close to the last known position or touchdown without having to hold a bearing.
Bottom line is if a neophyte wants to use a live map, familiarize/practice themselves with "GPS Rocket Locator" or get adept at inputting data into a GPS navigating app. Me? I like automatic tracking. Lazy old stiff style. Kurt
Addendum with link to "GPS Rocket Locator" tips:
https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?141742-GPS-Rocket-Locator-program-Tips
The basic information in that post is still good except where I say it no longer works with a photo map tile set. The original author rewrote that program and last time I checked a few weeks ago it was using photo map tiles again.
The program can cache maps to memory for use at the field without an internet access though if one's phone can do tethering, they can tether say a Wifi only device to their phone. A used Nexus 7 2013 or even a 2012 Wifi only devices can work
in that capacity. Their used prices are dropping and 32Gb memory is pretty good for map storage. The adventurous can easily "root" the devices by script instead of using Chinese "spyware" if they desire. Cripes I even have the
latest custom AOS 7.1.2 Nougat kernel running on the 2012 solidly. The 2013 it's best to stick with the stock kernel.
Thanks for the sale.
