[BLT] BLT-17 Pre-Launch Net is now set for 10 PM Friday, July 14th

[Andrew MacAllister]

Greetings!

Here is a brief report on the Final Integration Meeting for BLT-17:

All of the main payload items and the cross-band repeater system were on
hand.
The radiation detector subpayload was still in construction but is expected
to fly on Saturday.

The main payload and the cross-band repeater are in very good shape!

We have some issues to resolve, but we are quite confident that they
can be corrected quickly.

Discoveries:
RF interference was noted in the on-board computer and the GPS system.
The cut-down system did not have enough current to fire the electric match.

Solutions:
Tim KD5DTW is installing shielding around the on-board computer.
This will also help to GPS due to its location in the package.
Tim is also rerouting the power for the cut-down system to tie directly to
the batteries.

A final-final test with last-minute subsystem relocation efforts will take
place at
the Secret BLT Lab in Sugar Land at 8 PM on Friday.  This should only take
about
1.5 Hrs to complete.

Thus:

The pre-launch net will occur at 10 PM on Friday, July 14th.  The official
portion of
the net will probably last no more than 20 minutes.  Almost all of the
details surrounding
the logistics of this flight have been ironed out in advance.  The purpose
of the net is
to simply coordinate any last-minute items and to verify payload contents
and
the projected flight path.

Don't forget to check the website!

http://members.xoom.com/macallis1/index.htm

73!

Andy W5ACM

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