cartwrigh
05-13-2001, 07:22 PM
Need some help with a Mini Strobe. Way back in 1969 I read an article in a Model Rocket magazine on how to build a strobe for night Flying of rockets. Basically it was a small circuit that was carried in a clear payload section of the rocket. Night flying was fun. As you might guess the magazine is no longer around and neither is the rocket. One too many C6-3 flights in an A sized rocket. The circuit was a simple 2-transistor oscillator similar to what I guess is contained in an electronic flash with a trigger point controlled by a small trim pot. The circuit charged an electrolytic capacitor that discharges through a 1.5-volt grain of wheat bulb. The battery was a lightweight photo battery of about 7 volts. I don’t know what the discharge voltage was but it sure made the bulb look like a strobe. With the components available in 1969 it made up on a perf board about 3/8” by ¾” and did not weigh much. With today’s modern IC’s it should be possible to design a strobe system for microflight. Would sure enhance night flying. Any thoughts anyone?