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ORB-2 going to view the launch
by
grythumn
on 24 Jun, 2014 16:40
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jmsjr's list of launch viewing locations.
http://goo.gl/maps/7SDDvI'll probably be at Old Ferry unless I get something in between 300 and 1000mm. Arbuckle gets awesome bass, but is usually more crowded, and was closed once or twice.
Radio Talkgroups/Frequencies. If I get there early enough, I plan to try setting up unitrunker and an RTL SDR. Have not tried these before.
http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=5486If it gets bumped to the 12th, though, I'll be out of state.
-Bob
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#1
by
grythumn
on 30 Jun, 2014 21:31
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More of the pieces have come together. I'm not sure I can put together a live feed for the next launch on my current budget, but I know more about it.
- Connection. Unlocked cell phone, acquired AT&T sim. Should get 3G speeds, but don't know how crowded the cell tower will be on launch days. LTE is possible at Old Ferry according to the coverage maps, but I'd need a new phone. Not this month.
- Tripod - Current one is much too light. Narrowed selection. Pending.
- Power - Trolling battery and inverter. Not sure on runtime, but should be okay.
- Radio - Trouble with delivery. Ordering another SDR.
- Microphone - Have a voice grade one, and decent ADC, but wasn't going to bother. Would need wind screen, most likely, too.
- Video - This one is tricky. My DSLR doesn't do tethering. It has HDMI out, but not a clean feed and not full screen, and HDMI recorders are about as much as a low-end HD camera. Very few are set up for T-mount, or have integral lenses nearly as good as my spotting scope. Can modify a webcam for T-mount; not sure if enough time before launch, also would keep me from capturing stills, unless I get a split mirror setup working on my C90.
Another option is my old Canon S3IS; it has an analog video out, respectable zoom of its own. Can put an external TC on it, might be decent quality for an SD video stream.
I'm honestly not sure if it's worth doing a live video for Antares... I think their own coverage has more and closer shots. If the radio feed works, that might be interesting. The stuff I've acquired I've been meaning to get or have other uses for... video camera or an HDMI recorder would be single-use.
-Bob
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#2
by
Tomness
on 05 Jul, 2014 21:25
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I am woundering if you could view the lunch from Savannah GA. I am not if per the view map that 5 degrees could be seen from Savannah.
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#3
by
SaxtonHale
on 07 Jul, 2014 19:54
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Was Arbuckle Road closed during the last Antares launch? I'm not sure if I should check it out or just head straight for Old Ferry
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#4
by
grythumn
on 08 Jul, 2014 03:24
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Was Arbuckle Road closed during the last Antares launch? I'm not sure if I should check it out or just head straight for Old Ferry
I don't think it was... there were only a handful of people at Old Ferry. I got there late... just barely in time for the launch.
-Bob
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#5
by
grythumn
on 08 Jul, 2014 03:27
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I am woundering if you could view the lunch from Savannah GA. I am not if per the view map that 5 degrees could be seen from Savannah.
I doubt it, but you can try. You'd probably have a better chance in an evening or night launch, and if you can get some elevation (a building with a clear view of the horizon to the NE).
-Bob
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#6
by
Scylla
on 08 Jul, 2014 03:49
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I am woundering if you could view the lunch from Savannah GA. I am not if per the view map that 5 degrees could be seen from Savannah.
I doubt it, but you can try. You'd probably have a better chance in an evening or night launch, and if you can get some elevation (a building with a clear view of the horizon to the NE).
-Bob
I Had an excellent view of a night launch, viewing from South East NC, but have never been able to spot a launch during daylight. So I would say seeing a day launch from GA is pretty much impossible.
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#7
by
jsmjr
on 09 Jul, 2014 15:55
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#8
by
LouScheffer
on 09 Jul, 2014 16:10
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Any official weather forecast yet? I have not been able to find one online, and would like to know the odds of weather-related delays before making the trek...
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#9
by
Andrewwski
on 09 Jul, 2014 19:31
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Was Arbuckle Road closed during the last Antares launch? I'm not sure if I should check it out or just head straight for Old Ferry
I don't believe Arbuckle has ever been closed for Antares.
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#10
by
jsmjr
on 09 Jul, 2014 19:39
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Was Arbuckle Road closed during the last Antares launch? I'm not sure if I should check it out or just head straight for Old Ferry
I don't believe Arbuckle has ever been closed for Antares.
I've not been there for a launch, but I've heard that it can overcrowd and the police may ticket or prevent parking that encroaches on the neighboring farms.
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#11
by
Andrewwski
on 09 Jul, 2014 20:21
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I believe that is correct, it's suggested to arrive early in order to ensure you get a parking spot. If I remember correctly from A-One there was one side of the road (left side I believe) that was OK to park on - but don't take that for certain. But that launch wasn't very crowded either.
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#12
by
grythumn
on 09 Jul, 2014 21:02
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Ah, well, with the delay I'm not going to make it to this launch.
I'll try to see it from NJ.
My new tripod and gimbal mount are in... they work much better than the old setup. Have to tweak the balance a bit. Ah well, I suppose I have time now before ORB-3.
-Bob
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#13
by
FXM
on 12 Jul, 2014 23:04
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Coming from Southeastern Pa we are setting out around 6AM. Hoping for Arbuckle Neck Road view but if it's closed then Old Ferry. Looks like it will be a good day for a launch.
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#14
by
SaxtonHale
on 13 Jul, 2014 00:11
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I didn't mean to sow confusion about Arbuckle - the first time I went out there was for LADEE on a different pad, and it was closed for that launch.
What I've heard from this thread and from Wallops employees is that it will not be closed but might be crowded.
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#15
by
FXM
on 13 Jul, 2014 01:27
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Thanks for the update! Hopefully everything continues to be go for launch!
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#16
by
Robotbeat
on 13 Jul, 2014 03:26
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I'll be there. Is the visitor's center the place to go? If I have a badge, is there any better place than the general public? Arbuckle?
I will attempt to livestream. It won't likely be worth watching (haven't ordered the lens kit, yet), but I want to try anyway.
Are you all meeting some place to eat afterward? I'll be with my wife.
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#17
by
swampcat
on 13 Jul, 2014 10:44
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I will be there as well with some fellow amateur rocketeers from SEVRA (South East Virginia Rocketry Association).
According to my NASA contact, we will be viewing from Arbuckle Neck Rd. I'll be wearing my SpaceX F9 hat.
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#18
by
grythumn
on 13 Jul, 2014 12:19
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I didn't mean to sow confusion about Arbuckle - the first time I went out there was for LADEE on a different pad, and it was closed for that launch.
What I've heard from this thread and from Wallops employees is that it will not be closed but might be crowded.
Local LEO don't always get the memo, though... they've been know to tell people that the site is closed on launch day, but a few hours later other people get down there just fine.
-Bob
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#19
by
spacedog71
on 13 Jul, 2014 13:08
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http://www.nasa.gov/content/nasa-wallops-visitor-center-launch-viewing/this page is
brand spanking new, right? i mean, i'll admit i gave up checking the main wallops page for any useful data around april of last year (in favor for the forums here)
but i don't remember the wallops facebook page ever linking to something on their web site with substantive or useful "going to see the launch" data before.
at the very least, this is the first time i've
ever seen anything like "want to watch it from our roof? because we're fine with that".
i was fully arbuckle-bound this morning, but i gotta admit, this has me tempted. the roof's set a good ways away from the main viewing area, but it's also set above the main layer of marsh grasses and other vegetation, being a... well, a roof and everything.
what do you guys think? has anyone lensed the launch pad from the roof before? i know arbuckle is closer, but it's not official, doesn't have lavatories on-site, etc....
I'll try to see it from NJ.
but i don't remember the wallops facebook page ever linking to something on their web site with substantive or useful "going to see the launch" data before.