Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
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template += str(int((32 + (9*rows[0][21])/5) + 0.5))
template += "° F</p>\n"
template += "</div>"
template += '</div>\n'
template += "</body></html>\n"
print template
If you download the complete tarball from GitHub, you'll see several directories. You
can use the
bin/startup.sh
program to start these scripts and programs automati-
cally. The files can live anywhere in your file structure.
Track the Payload
Some form of tracking for your payload is a must, and there are many ways to do so.
One option is a SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger device. The benefit is that you don't
need any sort of ham radio license to use it, but it is one of the more expensive choices
since it requires a yearly license to use. It also does not provide altitude data and does
not report position data above about 30,000 feet.
Another option is a ham radio Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) beacon,
which is cheaper and requires no usage fees, but it does require a ham radio license.
As an additional benefit, if you use a high-altitude GPS, APRS has the advantage of
continuous telemetry data for the full flight of your payload.
Of course, an even better option is redundancy: fly both!
Prepare for Launch
Choose a launch field outside of a flight path of major airlines. You can find these maps
online and find a location not in line with the runways of any nearby airports. You should
also be at least 20 miles away from an airport, in an area that has good visibility in all
directions, and that has no power lines or tall tress or other obstructions. Once you
select a site, make sure to consult your local aviation authority to verify there are no
issues with the airspace above your field or the projected path of your payload.
Once you've chosen a location and a date, you can start running simulations at
the
CUSF Landing Predictor
for the anticipated date and time of the launch. The CUSF
pulls NOAA data from weather balloons launches twice a day at multiple sites around
the United States to measure and calculate the wind speed and direction for anything
free-floating.
