Help for absolute newbie to rocketry electronics

[mjremijan]

Hi forum,

I love rockets and rocketry. I am also a big software guy as it's my profession. But I've never been an electronics/hardware guy.

I would really like to start learning about this rocketry electronics but I have no idea where to begin. Are there any good getting started resources out there?

Thanks!

 

[311stylie]

Eggtimer Rocketry has altimeters and GPS tracking kits you can purchase and assemble/solder yourself. If you are looking for basic electronics education like circuit design, ohms law, kirchoff/nortons laws, etc. then Youtube may be your friend. Also search these forums. Lots of good info out there.

 

[David_Stack]

One of the forum members (mtnmanak) has put together a website that includes what he termed an "HPR Primer". That page has a section on Dual Deployment, which goes into altimeters, etc.

https://www.mountainmanrockets.com/index.php/hpr-primer/

 

[rfjustin]

Hi forum,

I love rockets and rocketry. I am also a big software guy as it's my profession. But I've never been an electronics/hardware guy.

I would really like to start learning about this rocketry electronics but I have no idea where to begin. Are there any good getting started resources out there?

Thanks!

 

[Rschub]

I bought an altimeter in my price range after browsing the forum to see the available units, and then followed the included instructions. The forum also has many examples of how to arrange the ebay.
For first attempts at anything, shamelessly copy a successful project. Once you get some experience, you will discover your own preferences.

 

[atestani]

Eggtimer Rocketry has altimeters and GPS tracking kits you can purchase and assemble/solder yourself.

+1 on this. Don't be put off by having to assemble the Eggtimer stuff. It is very easy with excellent step-by-step instructions.

 

[Azamiryou]

I agree on the Eggtimer stuff. The learning curve of assembling it yourself is not huge. And while it won't teach you all you need to know about designing your own — not even close! — it does give a better sense of how it works. And they're pretty easy on the wallet.

I suspect as a software guy, you value even a little understanding of how it works. (I know I do!)

Whether it's Eggtimer or something else, the best thing you can do is find a mentor. Failing that, be aware that reading the forum you'll find a bazillion ways to do it. That makes it easy to get bogged down in trying to figure out the best way. The truth is, they all work, so pick a way and go with it. Pick whichever looks to you like the lowest hanging fruit, like "I already have most of what I need to do it this way". Then stop reading and DO it.

(I've been through this really recently, and I myself got bogged down trying to figure it all out on my own. Too many choices! Finally I bought and built Eggtimer gear, then found a mentor in the local club, and had my first electronic deployment in September.)

 

[techrat]

I'm in the opposite boat. I know how to solder and have built electronic kits before, but I couldn't program my way out of a paper bag (although as an IT guy I have built a few scripts by cobbling together code found on the internet) -- That said, I know nothing about dual deploy, so I bought Eggtimer's $100 complete kit that includes the rocket -- supposedly covers everything soup to nuts. It's one of my (many) winter projects.

 

[atestani]

FWIW, I can do embedded hardware design, write firmware and software, layout and acquire PCBs, and build any of this stuff. There is no way in hell that I would I spend any time designing and programming rocketry electronics. There are already many fine products available.

I use all Eggtimer products and have found them to be well-designed, well-documented, and essentially bulletproof. The best part is the great support before you buy or if you need it after a purchase. And as been said, easy on the wallet. Check Eggtimer out as you delve into rocketry electronics.

 

[DEmery]

Once you read some stuff about altimeters, I recommend you get one (I usually recommend Missileworks, but there are several options) and just use it to measure altitude first. Once you are used to using it, go for firing charges.

 

[Titan II]

I usually recommend Missileworks...

+1

 

[soupmanrmc]

Keep it SIMPLE. With electronics, I started with real basics: jolly logic altimeter and chute release. These are great for getting used to the idea of electronics (and work great for LPR and MPR size birds).

Enter dual-deploy with an altimeter that has the feature sets and price that you can wrap your head around (Missleworks, Eggtimer, etc) where you can learn to use them, but rely on motor ejection for a few launches.

Graduate to full dual-deploy with drogue and main release (and charges). From there, full redundant dual-deploy is the next step.

I would not jump direct into the tiers of GPS or transmitters unless the birds are going above 7k (I have seen many recommend 10k ft) altitude. Costs of these systems can add $$$ and putting it all into a rocket that cost under $200 to me doesn't seem worth it.

Others could argue, and if I had deeper pockets I probably would have. Growing into electronics by steps allows me to figure out what features I want to have and the configurations desired. My L3 bird will have GPS for certain.

In the meantime, I have a 3" bird with dual-deploy and a 4" with redundant systems. It keeps costs low and I can learn from the experiences of launching each.

 

[Azamiryou]

jolly logic altimeter and chute release. These are great for getting used to the idea of electronics (and work great for LPR and MPR size birds).

Enter dual-deploy with an altimeter..., but rely on motor ejection for a few launches.

Graduate to full dual-deploy with drogue and main release (and charges).

Eggtimer Apogee is a good intermediate step. You only set up one charge for it to fire, and motor ejection provides backup.

 

[b.wieting]

Like the video link above, John Coker is a great reference for all things rocketry
https://www.jcrocket.com/

 

[Sooner Boomer]

If you can do simple soldering, the Eggtimer Apogee, paired with the Jolly Logic Chute Release are a great choice. The Apogee is mostly through-hole construction with one surface mount part. It fires the ejection charge at apogee. No programming needed. The chute release keeps the chute bundled up untill the rocket drops below a preset altitude. I've used this combination on a wide variety of rockets - from one that kicked off the pad at 120 Gs, to one that moved a bit slower, but hit 8000 feet.

 

[Titan II]

Let's start with "this isn't rocket science." It seems a lot of people like to think of this this hobby as complex. It is not. If you have at least average intellience, and more importantly, some degree of common sense, it is a piece of cake. There is enough info to keep you reading for weeks if you search. I recommend you go to that altimeter websites and just read up on what they do and how they do it. Most sites have the basic info and the manuals. I highly recommend a Missile Works RRC2+. I does not need a computer or LCD screen. Programming the apogee and main are done with dip switches. Two wires go from the battery/switch to the altimeter, two wires go to the apogee charge, and two wires go to the main charge. That's it! We do need to have proper vent holes and the right size charges, but determing them is a no brainer. If you want to do some programming and data collection, get the RRC3+. I would stick with traditional dual deploy and avoid something like the JLCR......just my opinion.

 

[Buckeye]

Hi forum,

I love rockets and rocketry. I am also a big software guy as it's my profession. But I've never been an electronics/hardware guy.

I would really like to start learning about this rocketry electronics but I have no idea where to begin. Are there any good getting started resources out there?

Thanks!

Maybe you can be more specific? "Rocketry electronics" covers a lot of ground. What do you want the electronics to do?