tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91143160055818081002024-02-07T22:07:23.185-08:00phooka-habPhooka High Altitude Simple Balloon ProjectHoward Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15568310245826725480noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114316005581808100.post-40424109922879493892011-11-14T13:58:00.000-08:002011-11-15T10:35:59.031-08:00Time-Lapse ScriptStarting to develop a script for the camera:<br />
<a href="http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/UBASIC/TutorialScratchpad">http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/UBASIC/TutorialScratchpad</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">@title Phooka Time Lapse</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">@param i Interval (seconds)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">@default i 15</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">@param n Counter</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">rem lots of unanswered questions</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">rem shooting sequence</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">rem focus</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">rem exposure</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">rem exposure bracketing</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">rem zoom</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">rem stopping the camera turn off</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">rem etc</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">rem other camera settings</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">sleep 1000</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">print "Phooka wait_click ..."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">wait_click</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">print "Adjusting camera ..."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">set_iso 0</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">rem set_prop p v</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">rem etc</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">rem zoom out fully??</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">set_zoom 0</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">click "shoot_half"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">rem focus on infinity??</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">set_focus 999999999??</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">sleep 5000</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">:shot</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">print "Shot: ", n;</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">shoot</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">n=n+1</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">sleep i*1000</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">goto "shot"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">end</span>Howard Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15568310245826725480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114316005581808100.post-87608043692508960892011-11-14T12:13:00.001-08:002011-11-14T14:02:16.858-08:00Camera firmware versions and CHDK settingsCanon A560 GM1.00A - hack ok<br />
Canon A570-IS GM1.00E - later<br />
<br />
Now I have a ton of new menu parameters to learn about. The kind of stuff I need to work out includes:<br />
<br />
- How to write the time-lapse script? UBASIC? or Lua?<br />
<div>- Any recommendations for settings for exposure controls, or just let the camera do its thing?<br />
- Should I do exposure bracketing for each time lapse?</div><div>- Is RAW capture recommended?</div><div>- What is RAW buffer caching and do I need it?</div><div>- What about focusing? Can this be preset to infinity anywhere? I cannot find such a setting.<br />
- What about zooming?</div><div>- Is there any need for a setting to keep the camera on, and lens out, or will this happen if it is taking photographs?</div><div>- Is there anything critical to put in the time-lapse script, other to shoot?<br />
- How about preventing any desire to fire flash?</div><div>- Anything else I should know?<br />
<br />
I suspect there is more to this CHDK stuff than I realize. </div>Howard Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15568310245826725480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114316005581808100.post-80123590648578581142011-10-18T11:12:00.000-07:002011-10-21T08:53:56.558-07:00CHDKThe cameras are on order from eBay. The Canan A570 IS (image stabilized) arrived today. Looks in great condition. A weekend project will be to hack the camera using <a href="http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK">CHDK</a> and check out the time-lapse modes. Then calculate the size of SD card needed for photographs throughout the flight. I have to learn how to boot into this, and set up a script for the time-lapse required:<br />
<ul><li>Do I go for a photo every 30s, 1min or longer?</li>
<li>How do I preset 'infinite' focus?</li>
<li>Must remember to plug the AV socket to turn off LCD display to save battery</li>
<li>Will need to order some good Energizer Lithium's nearer flight time</li>
<li>What's the best way of protecting against condensation on lens?</li>
</ul><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSOvsu6_E_72qG7IbkuEnnntNEwpuUnIVDkffjMoDVhP_qNhT2rojBL6BVdX1Rh8Wiyx4H-HLwGxxdxT8c3vJ579TSfbe60iz6AFO2t_wyb9hSEvcopM6VgZ2QgWZBwRbxhc_J23O5kE/s1600/a570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSOvsu6_E_72qG7IbkuEnnntNEwpuUnIVDkffjMoDVhP_qNhT2rojBL6BVdX1Rh8Wiyx4H-HLwGxxdxT8c3vJ579TSfbe60iz6AFO2t_wyb9hSEvcopM6VgZ2QgWZBwRbxhc_J23O5kE/s1600/a570.jpg" /></a></div>Howard Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15568310245826725480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114316005581808100.post-29341802841519542892011-10-18T11:06:00.000-07:002011-10-18T11:06:52.986-07:00GPSFor this project I want to avoid any form of on-board computer. I'm using a tiny lite-weight GPS transponder I ordered from China.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJvhFzMpdN9M0x8foVN7PgiXctfyGBxHK6Kf3xtejBeGENukhHHevNdNUh8u7m0vt9OEOJ7Nd6dylTdTxoId3BT9PirdAKXGkQjxPfj-Y11u9bR8oOAkXvWKB8cq89QGNVMdajK8ZdVY/s1600/gps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJvhFzMpdN9M0x8foVN7PgiXctfyGBxHK6Kf3xtejBeGENukhHHevNdNUh8u7m0vt9OEOJ7Nd6dylTdTxoId3BT9PirdAKXGkQjxPfj-Y11u9bR8oOAkXvWKB8cq89QGNVMdajK8ZdVY/s200/gps.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Battery life seems incredible. After more than 2 days, both units I am testing still have 75% battery. The Li-Ion batteries are not good at low temperature according to some folks, but with good insulation I think they will be ok, especially for a "short" up and down flight.<br />
<br />
My only concern is that one of the units seem less capable at picking up GPS than the other. This is evident by looking at the time stamp returned. I don't want false reporting. More testing 'outside' required.<br />
<br />
Another issue to worry about in this type of flight is if the balloon lands in a mobile signal dead zone. To counteract this I will fit two different SIMs for two different mobile networks. Will this be enough to guarantee a signal?Howard Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15568310245826725480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114316005581808100.post-33661135404627953392011-04-23T13:38:00.000-07:002011-10-19T09:19:59.489-07:00How simple can it be?<ul><li>GPS SMS responder on O2</li>
<li>Backup GPS SMS responder on Orange/T-Mobile</li>
<li>NTX2 Beeper/Tracker</li>
<li>Down camera Canon A560 7.1 MP</li>
<li>Horizontal camera Canon A570 IS 7.1 MP</li>
<li>CHDK camera hacks for time lapse</li>
<li>Rocket parachute</li>
<li>Balloon</li>
<li>No on-board computer</li>
<li>No tracking during flight</li>
<li>Case warm and waterproof</li>
<li>Weight TBA</li>
</ul>Howard Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15568310245826725480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9114316005581808100.post-71985717401165276412011-04-15T15:01:00.000-07:002011-10-23T11:28:11.407-07:00Phooka HABThis is a blog to document my attempts to build and launch a high altitude balloon. The idea is to make Phooka-1 as simple as possible. Is there any such thing with HAB?Howard Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15568310245826725480noreply@blogger.com0