MM20 - 2019-03-10
Tracker Details
Tracker Details
Tracker Type: APRS
Model: PicoTracker1Rev2
Powered by 2 AAA batteries
Configuration:
transmitCount = 2
msBetweenTransmits = 3000 (3s, 0m, 0h)
lhAltFtThreshold = 10000
hAlt.wakeAndEvaluateMs = 200000 (200s, 3m, 0h)
lAlt.wakeAndEvaluateMs = 35000 (35s, 0m, 0h)
lAlt.stickyMs = 14400000 (14400s, 240m, 4h)
dz.wakeAndEvaluateMs = 1200000 (1200s, 20m, 0h)
Launch Parameters
Launch Parameters
Balloon and Payload
Balloon and Payload
- One 36" Qualatex balloon
- 29.3 gram payload
- 1.91 grams free lift
Actuals
Actuals
- Top Altitude - 15,907 ft
- Duration - 1 hours
- Distance - 8.2 miles following path
- Cause of death - bad GPS, signals stopped
General Thoughts / Observations
General Thoughts / Observations
This flight failed. I tested the tracker four times because it was taking several minutes for the first lock. I should have taken that as a fatal sign, in flight the signals were intermittent with a growing lock time issue. After 36 signals, nothing more was heard.
Another example of needing a better supply of GPS modules.
Thoughts for next time
Thoughts for next time
Pretest GPSs for several hours. Do not take risks with modules acting odd.