Hi Guys. Maybe someone can help me, and maybe I can return a favour !
This is a long email, because I thought, for those interested, I'd include that sent today to the Microtransat group.
The reason for this posting is that I was hoping to order some more old 28X2 boards, already assembled, to pass on to others to get started.
Who knows, someone among you may wish to join "Extended Team Joker" and load my autopiloit software, not changed in years.
If they want to contruct their own little robot boats, that's up to them: join the club
Instead of soldering up the boards themselves, and loading my old - but well tested - autopilot software,
they may be happy - at a sensible price - to sell the assembled boards with my software inside them.
How nice to see this forum still there, after so many years.
I chuckled when I saw the last exchange on this thread - my talking about the Micromite product.
Yes, we've used that, because it's so much easier to program, but that's not a reason to change computers used in aircraft, ships, and missiles
I'll end with my email sent out this morning to that Microtransat forum of guys interested in Trans-Atlantic attempts.
...
Thanks John ( founder member of Snoopy's Team-Joker in 2008 ).
I'll put in more detail after your email, with some links - yes, they are relevant.
Everyone: all this is public and can be passed to whom you wish, but please you common sense in disclosure of email addresses.
No problem with mine
On 09/06/2021 23:13, John wrote:
"a decade ago" ? It was 2008 and how you got me started is at the bottom of
www.gpss.co.uk/rb08to10.htm
"moved on" ? I've stopped chuckling after seeing that article - I guess they could try putting putting sails on it ?
Should block the Suez Canal nicely when something breaks
Relevant link ?
www.gpss.co.uk/easams.htm - not Royal Navy stuff but system for radar tracking in the Gulf.
"See yah Friday" - yes, our little "Grumpy Old Men" Pub Lunch at The Weatsheaf next to Virginia Water lake.
www.gpss.co.uk/walks.htm - around Virginia Water Lake - local Royalty, The Beatles, Diana Doors, etc.
I've not asked again in recent years, but in 2008, I nearly got permission for us to use Virgina Water Lake for testing Snoopy's boats.
Back in 2001 I had got the OK for geocaching there, when that GPS treasure-hunting hobby started:
www.gpshobby.info
Many within Microtransat, and some in Team-Joker, have been more interested in learning new skills such as engineering.
I think I addressed that in the recent update to the top of the "Snoopy" page
www.gpss.co.uk/autop.htm
For me, there are not enough hours in the day, but I'm afraid that I'm more interested in technology
where the military have always been several decades ahead, even if exploiting consumer stuff.
e.g. biological "drones" where the platform is an animal, fish, or even an insect, such as a dragonfly.
Our new cat Tody has been checking out some of the stuff:
www.gpss.co.uk/tody.htm
To end on a more serious note, I've been thinking of us "getting some new blood" into Team-Joker,
since, as we all grow older, our priorities change. After the TV and radio publicity in 2012,
I was asked to give a chat at a local private school - but it's always seemed to me that
the model sailing boat clubs, locally or overseas, have the most relevant "talent".
Most of the electronic stuff is easy and "off the shelf" - if you choose the right bits and software.
It's the simple things like the boat itself, water proofing, mechanical linkages, that are the key.
And - of course - lots of testing before deployment !
The partial eclipse should have started by now for some of us
Take Care.
Robin
www.gpss.co.uk
1020 BST ( 0920z GMT/UT/GPS Time ) Thursday 10th June 2021
Robin Lovelock at 22 Armitage Court, Sunninghill, Ascot, Berkhire, England, UK.
Landline UK (+44) 01344 620775 Mobile 07736 353 404
Unchanged for decades and public on "Contact" page
www.gpss.co.uk/contacts.htm
