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--- ideas:flight_support [2006/07/11 18:38] – rocketboy
+++ ideas:flight_support [2013/05/07 07:55] (current) – [Radar Reflector] rocketboy
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 ====== Flight Support ======
 ===== Radar Reflector =====
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 {{:ideas:corner.jpg|:ideas:corner.jpg}}
-Size - in order to work effectively each side of the corner must be at least 1.5 wavelengths - this gives a size of about 15cm to cover down to S band RADAR (3GHz = 10cm wavelength) - this makes a suitable reflector about 30cm (1 foot) tip to tip.
+FAR101 says "the reflector will present an echo to surface radar operating in the 200 MHz to 2700 MHz frequency range".
+Size - commercial radiosonde radar refelctors are about 50cm tip to tip.
 A very lightweight reflector (less than 30g) can be constricted using carbon fiber kite spars and metalized plastic foil (as used in space blankets).
-Can anyone confirm that aircraft radar (airborne and ground based) is S band or higher?
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 The igniter needs about 2amps @ 3Volts for just a few milli seconds to fire - it can even be fired from a charged 4700uF capacitor.
-{{:ideas:cct3.gif|:ideas:cct3.gif}}
+{{ideas:cct0.gif|}}
+The ignitor on the right hand side of the circuit can be replaced by a small 6V bulb for testing - the bulb will light briefly when fired. Once you are happy with the circuit try an igniter.
-The bulb on the right hand side of the circuit is for initial testing - choose somthing that will draw about 1 - 2 amps from the supply - e.g. for 6V a 6W bulb. Connect it between the supply line and the darlington collector (marked c). Once you are happy with the circuit try an igniter.
+[''adeptium/STARS Project'': Not happy about the use of a wet cap for near-space use, but Farnell supplies an AVX 3300uF tantalum, 4-10V operating range, rated to -55C with no loss of capacity.  I'm going to try with one or two of these.]