After returning to free flight aeromodelling after nearly 20 years, I was disappointed to see that one of the most rewarding aspects of the hobby, building your own models and equipment, was gradually disappearing.
I decided to support those who still enjoy designing and building their own models in any way I can. As a result, I developed an electronic timer based on the Heltec Mesh Node T096. The system incorporates what I consider the two most important features for modern free flight flying: RDT (Radio Dethermalizer) and GPS tracking.
One of the project’s main goals is accessibility. Anyone can build the timer themselves at the cost of the hardware alone, without the need to purchase expensive proprietary equipment.
The timer is based on the Heltec Mesh Node T096 platform, while the handheld unit uses the Seeed SenseCAP Card Tracker T1000-E. Firmware for both the airborne timer and the handheld unit is available, together with an Android application for tracking and locating models.
To accommodate different classes and launch systems, I have developed three firmware versions:
F1A/F1H with servo release hook
F1A/F1H with mechanical release hook
F1B/F1C/F1Q, activated by releasing a single button
The firmware files,and Android application are available through the links below.
https://c.gmx.com/@1246121851776669268/r2Ik5lJJbj2Odaz9-rThdA