Category: Launch Announcements

ROC’s Safer at Home Rocket Contest (March 24 until ??)
The contest is to build a rocket from either scratch or kit bash a rocket and to see what range of motors it will fly on. The person who successfully launches and recovers a rocket with the widest range of motors is the overall winner.
You cannot use one already built.
To compete, you must fly it at the next ROC launch on the smallest and largest motor that you designed it for. It must be recovered and be able to fly again, just like a cert flight. You can also use it to cert as well. (A flight means that it has to clear the rod or rail)
Painting is optional.
There will be prizes for the person with smallest starting motor, the largest starting motor, and the largest end motor.
There will be prizes for the best shred as well, so push the limit of design.
Simple rules:
The only modification allowed on the lake bed is to change motor adapters.
Recovery has to remain the same for all flights.
SIGN UP TODAY!!

GREGG HALLIGAN
TGH218@AOL.COM
I need your name, email and phone number.

Due to this weeks rain the March launch on Sat, March 14th is canceled.  See everyone in April.

More and more rockets are flying with tracking and telemetry transmitters on board. Also we are seeing more use of ham radio to communicate at the lakebed and on the way to and from launches.

Currently over three dozen ROC folks have identified themselves as licensed hams.

There have also been folks experiencing issues that may be due to radio frequency interference (RFI) or frequency conflict from other users on the same or adjacent frequencies.

There has been some informal discussion among some of the board members about ways to reduce conflicts and RFI issues.

Starting at the March launch we will be trying out a frequency board near the registration or PAD manager area.

Also, if you are using any transmitter on your rocket, please include a description and the frequency on the flight card.

On this  site we have two pages where we can share information.

On the “launches” menu there is a page for rocket tracking. We have begun a list of frequencies used by ROC flyers, and also have provided some suggestions for reducing interference to and from other radio spectrum users. This guidance is based on a review of the radio use in the area of lakebed that could conflict with common rocket tracking equipment. The page has a form for you to submit the equipment you are using and the frequency you use.

https://rocstock.org/rocket-tracking/

On the “launch site” menu is a page for amateur radio information. This includes radio frequencies commonly used by ROC hams to communicate on the lake bed, and a list of hams and our callsigns. We frequently use 146.535MHz simplex on the lakebed. This frequency is available to Technician class or higher hams, using very simple and inexpensive equipment. The page has a form to submit your name and callsign if you are a ham.

https://rocstock.org/roc-amateur-radio-information/

If you have any suggestions to help reduce interference or additional frequencies to track, please let us know using one of the comment forms on these pages.

We wanted to extend an invitation to ROC members and flyers to attend the 2020 symposium of the Reaction Research Society (RRS.ORG). ROC has had an information table for the last few years.
This is a great rocketry event with great speakers throughout the day. There is an exhibit hall and a lot of information about RRS.

The symposium is Saturday, April 18, 2020, at the Ken Nakaoka Community Center in Gardena, CA from 8:45 am to 5:00 pm.
Go to Eventbrite to get your free ticket(s) – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rrs-2020-rocket-and-space-exhibit-symposium-tickets-94575681409

If you are planning to fly high power rockets at a ROC launch, please remember to bring your NAR or Tripoli membership card.

To fly high power you must be a current member of NAR or Tripoli. You must have a membership card or other document showing that you are certified for high power and your membership is current.

If you are not a member in good standing you are not certified, you are not insured, and may not fly high power rockets.

Time permitting, registration personnel may be able to help you lookup your membership. If there are people in line to register you will be asked to step aside until you can document your certification.