New Tracking Transmitter - Check!

Some time back I had the opportunity to pick up a used Walston Retrieval transmitter and receiver. Everything works, but the transmitter is huge compared to my original transmitter.

My original transmitter was purchased for use with the receiver owned by one of my fellow Idaho rocketeers. Unfortunately that transmitter is not on a frequency received by my receiver, so it is of no use to me here.

The new transmitter, in addition to being huge, has the non-rechargeable batteries potted in epoxy and is controlled via a normally-open, magnetic reed switch. This means that a magnet must be attached to the transmitter at all times in order to keep it turned off. All this means that it will be very difficult to replace the batteries when they run out and I have no idea how much time is left on them since the equipment was purchased used. Additionally I have found the magnet detached on more than one occasion, burning more time off the batteries needlessly.

I attempted to contact Walston to purchase one of his smaller transmitters, like my original, at a frequency I could use with this receiver. Unfortunately he proved impossible to contact and rumor has it that his health is failing, so I was forced to search for another vendor that could supply me with a transmitter which would work with my
receiver.

After discussing the issue on one of the rocketry forums I contacted L.L. Electronics and purchased one of their transmitters. They were a pleasure to do business with with friendly, informative staff.

My new transmitter arrived yesterday and, as promised, my Walston receiver started chirping away when I turned it and the transmitter on. The new transmitter is more compact than my original Walston, thanks to my having selected the "loaded antenna" option. I know I've traded some range in exchange for compactness, but I suspect I was sacrificing range with the Walston because I was having to loop the antenna around to get it to fit in my nose cones. It isn't as if I'm one of the guys launching to +20k', so I think I'll be fine. If I should ever decide I want the non-loaded antenna for a bigger rocket they are available for a modest price. I just wish I'd thought of that when I ordered my transmitter so I could save on the shipping!

AltimeterTwo Charging - Check!

Digging into my rocketry gear I located my AltimeterTwo still installed in Flying Colors from the last time that I flew. I plugged it into a USB port and left it charging overnight. The next day found that it was still indicating it was charging, which I would not have expected. Still, after that long on the charger it should show me something if I turned it on, so I unplugged it and did just that only to discover that it wouldn't turn on. I contacted Jolly Logic support and they advised me that the Lithium batteries used in many devices, such as your cell phone, including the ones in their altimeters must be kept charged or they will discharge to a point that they can't be recovered. The only option was to have the battery replace, a service they provide. I shipped my altimeter off to California where they did a quick battery change and promptly shipped it back to me. I received it yesterday and was able to immediately turn it on and see the data from my last flight was still available. It is now fully charged and I have a calendar reminder to recharge it once-a-month.