I just picked up an Eggfinder and was trying to figure out how best to mount it. Great idea! Looks simple and clean. Question: is the antenna extending through the bulkplate because it's too long for the nose cone, or for some other reason? Have you used that setup, or the Eggfinder, before?
Good questions in your post, I will try to answer them in order:
1.) is the antenna extending through the bulkplate because it's too long for the nose cone, or for some other reason?
My original plan was to be able to move this sled/Eggfinder into smaller rockets, and that worked to some degree for this build. It did not work for my 54mm Blackhawk, where I had to mount the Eggfinder inside the coupler:
That is a second Eggfinder I built for that specific application, which is mounted in a 54mm N/C. Hard to get it in and out, so it's staying in that rocket. Since you pointed out an issue I have had regarding the antenna, I might re-design the sled and dedicate it to my 5" Jart and this rocket, where the N/C dimensions are almost the same. Which brings us to your second question.
2.) Have you used that setup, or the Eggfinder, before?
Yes, I have had several successful flights in my 5" Jart. One of which went to 9330 ft. and never lost lock on the GPS. I also have flown it once in my 3" Blackstar to 6741 ft. on a much faster motor (K513 fast jack) where it finally did loose lock during thrust, but picked it back up before apogee. Installing the Eggfinder in a 3" N/C required me to shorten the sled and that's when the antenna stuck out the coupler/shoulder of the N/C.
The advantage with the Jart is the size of the N/C. It allows you more room and distance from metallic parts. I think that is the key to getting good performance from your transmitter on the Eggfinder.
I want take the opportunity to thank all of you that have made comments and asked questions in this thread. Building a Wildman's Dark Star is relatively easy, I have five of them now, with only the Ultimate to start building. It looms over me every time I walk into the front room. Posting up build threads takes quite a bit of time and effort, especially when you can only type at 25 words a minute. Comments, encouragement, even criticism is appreciated. I might even wear a glove next time I cut an index mark with my dremel....