# need plans for homebuilt theodolite

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#### CAP rocketeer

##### New Member
greetings

I would like to know if anyone has plans for a homebuilt theodolite. We used 2 surveyor theodolites for our last launch, and the magnification was so high we ended up sighting over the top of the tube.

You know what would really work well is one of those WW2 battleship AA gun mounts with the open iron sights and the hand crank turret

anyway, if anyone has experience with tracking via 2 theodolites please share your experience. I am in a CAP squadron and we don't have the  to buy altimeters for the rockets, so manual track is the best option (besides which it teaches math skills).

this is my first post, I would like to thank AK for getting me in here (been trying for 2 weeks now).

Al

#### CharlaineC

##### Well-Known Member
their is a few options you have.

another is take a ruler and attach to it at its center a standard protractor centered. use a thumb tack and attach a 5" string to it with a small waight to it. add two nails as sights on the ends and your all set. just remember to hold the string at your peek altitude.

or if you have a copy of the model rocketry handbook their is a great one in their.

I will look in my files for one you can print out

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TRF Supporter

#### CAP rocketeer

##### New Member
Charlene,
thanks for your reply. What the CAP data shows is a device for tracking the altitude (or more precisely the vertical angle). I am after something for tracking a horizontal angle as well as the vertical angle. I have surveyor's theodolites I can use, but with the high magnification they end up being impractical, so I was hoping to find plans to make something homebuilt.

Will
thanks, that is closer to what I am after. never thought to use camera tripods, I'll have to look into that.

#### WillMarchant

##### Well-Known Member
TRF Supporter
You might also talk to your local NAR club. The https://nar.org/NARseclist.php page has a directory. Most of them have theodolites available for altitude competitions. You can probably also borrow an altimeter from somebody there, too. Are you doing TARC? Or an independent project?

#### ben_ullman

##### Well-Known Member
where are yo guys located? If close enough I would love to offer some altimeter assitance. Weve got some older MAWDS we might be able to donate.

Ben

#### CAP rocketeer

##### New Member
....my heart!

We are in NW Montana (Kalispell, near Glacier park).

I am going to hold my breath until I hear where you are from...

#### Peartree

##### Cyborg Rocketeer
Staff member
Global Mod
The Handbook of Model Rocketry (7th edition) by G. Harry Stine has a good description of Altitude determination techniques in chapter 17 (the entire chapter) and has plans for building a "triple tracker" theodolite included in Appendix V. If you don't already have this book, it's well worth getting. Your local library might have this as well.

#### ben_ullman

##### Well-Known Member
....my heart!

We are in NW Montana (Kalispell, near Glacier park).

I am going to hold my breath until I hear where you are from...

To bad to hear how far out you are!! Maybe I can ask my dad if hes up for some donating

Ben

#### Peartree

##### Cyborg Rocketeer
Staff member
Global Mod
To bad to hear how far out you are!! Maybe I can ask my dad if hes up for some donating

Ben
(Ben lives in Virginia)

#### CAP rocketeer

##### New Member
digitalastro:

THAT is EXACTLY what I am after! thanks so much! that will make a great project for the winter.

Score!!!!!

#### ben_ullman

##### Well-Known Member
(Ben lives in Virginia)
oh thanks thought my location was in my profile.

Ben

#### Peartree

##### Cyborg Rocketeer
Staff member
Global Mod
oh thanks thought my location was in my profile.

Ben
It probably is, I just assume others are like me and forget to look.

#### chanstevens

##### Well-Known Member
One note on the Trip Barber Triple Tracker plans in the Handbook--they're excellent, but a bit outdated calling out some materials that are a little harder to come by today. At NARAM-50, Jeff Graham and Randy Boadway did a research project on theodolites with more modern-day materials. If you aren't into buying the R & D proceedings CD from NARTS, you could try reaching them through SMASH's site https://smashnar500.homestead.com/.

--Chan Stevens