When I found GPSFlight’s tracking system, I thought that it was it. They provide a complete solution with a GPS Integrated Wireless Transmitter, a USB Base Station Receiver and a Telemetry Software. They include even cooler features like an accelerometer and a temperatures probe. But most of all they sell a complete turn key solution, hardware and software, working above 60.000ft ASL at rates up to 4 Hz.
I really like their ST900e Transmitter . I contacted them and each piece or hardware comes in different versions: 100mW, or 1000mW with and without additional options. It seems that 1000mW would provide a safer range than the basic option. But what’s the max distance for a 1W transmitter and 1W receiver? It’s not clear yet. I think that I need a 30 to 40 mile line of sight range. This distance seems reasonable. A better understanding of the performance would be essential.
The cost? Transmitter+Receiver+Software:
$1430 for 1W
$985 for 100mW
I can’t decide if it’s crazy expensive or a bargain compared to the time that I would need to achieve this on my own. Part of it is because I’d choose the advanced transmitter. The features look really really cool and give me ideas beyond MSP-1/2.
Sounds Great, right?
It is, except that I have an major unexpected money outflow coming soon. The bad news came this week and it makes me rethink my entire strategy. By looking on the market, I found great tools and ideas but I have to keep in mind the goal of MSP-1: Launch asap a balloon to near space, get it back safely and learn as much as I can from this first experience. BIG WINS!
So even though I kind of hate it, I need to go with the GSM solution that is 10 times cheaper and inaccurate. Plenty of people made it that way. It also means that I probably won’t have a record of the max altitude reached. I am back at square one but failure’s not an option.