Radio Tracking
Everyone
has lost a rocket before - it just comes with the hobby. Sometimes
that just means another simple Estes build, but when you are in
the realm of high power, and your rockets are loaded with expensive
motor casings, electronics, and reusable components, losing one
hurts just a little more. Tracking and locating rockets is an
interesting subject; techniques range from personal alarm beepers,
flashing strobe lights, and smoke effects. The most effective,
however, may just be radio and gps tracking.
I have come too close to losing many rockets myself, and one incredibly lucky find of a rocket lost in a full grown corn field pushed me to make my mind about spending the money to get a radio tracker. I had been interested in one for quite some time and had evaluated them all, over and over again. I knew the BigRedBee Beeline was the best one for me - it was the cheapest and most flexible in terms of initial and long-term cost and options.
Please note that a HAM radio lisence is required to use this transmitter, but they are simple to get - a bit of studying. I recommend www.hamtestonline.com and just take the test about 5 times a day for 5 days and you should be golden. I got 100% on my technician exam and missed the general by one question without even studying for it, so you can do it just as easy. HAM lisence cost about $15 and test stations are widely available throughout the country.
The Beeline is a 70cm transmitter that is fully customizable. You can alter transmitting frequency, tone length and spacing, morse code message, and even power settings. Most other trackers are stuck to just one frequency where if there is more than one transmitter in a given range, you will not know which rocket is yours.
As far as the receiver goes, you have as wide of an array of choices as you'd like - any 70cm receiver will work, whether it is a simple radio scanner or a complex transceiver. I chose to go with the Yaesu VX-3r, as suggested by Greg (BRB's owner) for its low cost, good quality, and its visual signal stregth meter. I feel any beginner might be overwhelmed at what receiver to look to (as was I) but I highly recommend this transceiver if you can get it. It is very small and light (easily fit into a pocket) and works incredibly well. I would trust my Yaesu over any basic scanner anyday - both with range and ability to pick up the signal.
The beeline is very light and able to fit insie a standard 24mm tube. It battery lasts in the range of 4-8 hours at reasonable tone settings ( battery life can be increased by minimizing power and output times). It offers over 1 mile line-of-sight distances (more with higher power settings and quality receiver/antenna). Follow the strength of the signal to direct yourself to your rockets location.
Overall, the Beeline is very simple to use.Simply attach the battery and it's powered on and transmitting. Make sure you have it calibrated the way you want before taking it out to the field (or make sure you have the cables and a laptop with you). Just tune your receiver and attach your dirrectional antenna and you should hear the unit beeping.
If you do get a tracking transmitter, please put it in all of your rockets at every flight. What is the point of having a tool to find your rocket without using it? I've seen people who think a rocket wont clear 2000 feet and launch without it only to lose their rocket.