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A project log for Model Rocket Data Logger

A small accelerometer, thermometer, altimeter, SD card logger, with a radio downlink. Does not include Kerbal life support.

mdasilvaM.daSilva 08/13/2015 at 22:126 Comments

I ran into a small problem: the Arduino module is too big, and I can't fit the SD card reader inside!

So back to the drawing board!

I chose a smaller Arduino Mini board stacked on top of the SD reader. I had to chop some plastic off the support I printed to allow the slot to be exposed. The programming header is also broken out, to allow future debugging/reprogramming, without having to take the whole thing out of the rocket.

Discussions

Ben wrote 11/24/2015 at 12:27 point

Hi, question about the radio transmitter. How are you using this to locate the rocket?  

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M.daSilva wrote 11/24/2015 at 12:37 point

Hi!

I'm using the transmitter as a simple beacon: it transmits a continuous pulse, and with the help of a directional (yagi) antenna, I can direct myself towards the rocket. Here's an example of a use of that kind of tech:

http://www.instructables.com/id/433-MHz-UHF-lost-model-radio-beacon/

I plan to add in the future a GPS receiver and use it to send RTTY data through the 433MHz TX, to get a direct readout of the position...

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Ben wrote 11/24/2015 at 13:40 point

awesome! really helpful link, also thanks for the quick reply$!

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J. M. Hopkins wrote 08/27/2015 at 21:27 point

Build a bigger rocket :) 

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M.daSilva wrote 08/30/2015 at 22:22 point

I'd like to keep it as light as possible, yet I want to stick the most powerful engine I can find (and afford!) in it! But I'm legally limited to 300m for now... :(

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J. M. Hopkins wrote 08/30/2015 at 22:43 point

I follow the wanting to keep it small. I ended up finding a local club allowing higher launches via FAA permits, and to afford the bigger motors I built my own... Though probably didn't save money in the long run, almost 20 static tests and I have an effective motor design capable of hefting my rather large 6lb rocket skyward. I'm a fan of creating everything in a project, so everything including motor, rocket, nose cone, parachutes, and electronics are all custom in my project... Best of luck

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