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Date: 8/6/2025
Subject: August 2025 - Launch Announcement
From: Tripoli Minnesota


TRIPOLI MINNESOTA - PREFECTURE #45 
August 9th, 2025
Launch Announcement
  • North Branch, MN - Central Turf Farms
  • Setup starts at 9:00 am
  • Flying starts at 10:00 am
  • Please stay for tear-down if you can ~5:00pm
  • Waiver to 20,000ft weather dependent
Welcome once again to the mid-week weather dance required for our August launch!
The forecast for the end of the work week is wet once again!  Most of the weather models have a system hitting the area in the early Saturday morning hours.  This shouldn't be a problem.  The issue we are worried about is the possibility of Saturday afternoon second line of storms.  Sunday looks great, if needed!  As always we will make the final call no later than noon on Friday.  Please watch for the notice and understand that as usual, a rain date may be needed. 

***THE FINAL LAUNCH ANOUNCHEMENT WILL BE MADE ON FRIDAY***
 
July's Launch - By the Numbers (and this is a BIG stack!):
Low Power (A-G) Launches:  65 Flights | (3x"A", 11x"B", 15x"C", 1x"D", 11x"E", 12x"F", 13x"G")
High Power "L1" Flights:  39 Flights | (29x"H", 10x"I")    *** 1x of flight did not list a motor ***  
High Power "L2" Flights:  10 Flights | (6x"J", 4x"K", zero"L")  
High Power "L3" Flight:  1 Flights | N-1800 Jeff Karsten (was told it reached 16,000+ ft)
Research Flights:  1 Flight | ~160*Ns Total Average Impulse (1x"H")  *** Julia Petrin's National "Research" Record!  ***
 
New Member Certifications!
Level M1 Test:
Corvin Raby- Perfect Score on his written test!
 
Level 1 Certifications::
Erick Agrimson - 36188
Tom Gallagher - 16623
Ben Stottrup - 36170
James Thurman - 36150
Rachel Humphrey - 36154
Mubarak Abdi - 35981
Jim Crumley - 36160
Richard Raby - 36313
Jessica Albrecht - 35009
 
We also had a NAR certification:
Mark Koch - L1
Wilson F/X Launch Controller

NEW LAUNCH CONTROL SYSTEM!!!

  • A new Wilson F/X launch control system has been purchased.
  • We now have the ability to control 32 different pads
    • 2x Banks of 8 ( Low and Mid Power )
    • 1x Bank of 8 ( H & I pads )
    • 1x Bank of 4 ( J-K-L pads )
    • 1x Bank of 4 ( away cell )
We don't expect there to be any complications with using the new system.  Pad operations will be almost identical.  There will be a short meeting before the range is opened to discuss the system.  As a group, we should discuss the practice of checking continuity at the pad.  This system is designed to do so, just as the old system was.  The biggest difference is that there is a buzzer as well as a light.  They will both indicate/sound upon pushing the pad button to check continuity. 
On-Field Provisions:
Off We Go Rocketry - Gary will be attending the launch with a large assortment of rocket motors and rocketry related supplies.
Food - Brian's Brats
Rest Room - We will have a handicap accessible porta potty at the field.
Trash - There are usually two trash cans located near the LCO table.  Please use them.
If you are new to the club and not aware, I would like to point out a few rules of etiquette:
  • This is a working farm.  Please be respectful of the land, roads, and fields.  The turf is a cash crop.  Let's treat it as such.
  • All vehicles should drive slowly on the roads.  The road is dirt & clay, so if its wet, it DOES get sloppy.
  • When you get to the field, please back into a spot.  We want to keep engine fluid drips as close to the road as possible (farm's request).
  • If there are freshly planted fields that your rocket lands in, only send one person to retrieve it.  Less tracks = less crop damage.
  • The fields are surrounded by drainage ditches.  They are deep!  If you need to cross one, find the spot where the sprinkler crosses.
Rocketry Rules Refresher: 
  • Always make sure pyro charges are disabled until at the pad.
  • With all mid power and high power rockets: DO NOT install igniters until at the pad.  Low power rockets are the ONLY exception.
  • Keep the rocket pointed in a safe direction on your way to the RSO table, and towards the pads once at the table.
  • It's good practice to arm all electronics at the pad, prior to installing the igniter.  
  • Never, ever, ever... catch a rocket.
  • Do not retrieve another person's rocket without consent or knowledge of the flyer.
    •  Ejection charges may still be intact, or electronics may need attention prior to moving the rocket.
    •  It makes it very hard to find a rocket that has already been retrieved.  Note the location and call it in.
  • Only HP certified fliers are allowed at the pads (sorry kiddos).
  • If you hear the air horn, LOOK UP!  

Radios:

People are using the FRS / GMRS radio band.  This has worked quite well for getting in touch with club members all over the field.  The FRS (Family Radio Service) is a low power (2 watts or less) band that does not require a license to operate on.  These radios are inexpensive and very handy.  The GMRS (General Mobile Radio Services) do require a license due to being over 2 watts of transmitting power.  If you have a HAM license, your licensed to operate a GMRS radio.  The frequencies are the same for both radio operating classes.
 
Check out Amazon for radios.  A quality radio can be had for $25-$30.  Look for 467Mhz 
 
See the Wiki page:  FRS/GMRS combined channel chart - The RadioReference Wiki

https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/FRS/GMRS_combined_channel_chart

 
FRS / GMRS Channel 4 for all club radio transmissions has been working well.
 
William Schmiedlin
Prefect - Tripoli Minnesota Inc.
prefect@tripolimn.org
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