Construction

Stock build for Level 1:

T' Horizon is a great kit!  I built it accordin' t' t' very thorough instructions with a couple o' exceptions:

• I did nay use t' kit supplied eyebolt on t' motor mount.  I replaced it with a 1/4" u-bolt from me local hardware store.
• I ordered an extra centerin' rin' and epoxied it just forward o' t' fins on t' motor tube.
• I did nay epoxy t' aft centerin' rin' t' t' motor tube until after t' tube had been installed in t' booster, fins attached, and internal fillets applied t' t' fin/motor tube joints.
• I replaced t' kit supplied nylon shock cord strap and tubular nylon shock cord with a 1/4" tubular  kevlar shock cord (with loops).

Modifications for dual deployment and Level 2:

I knew I wanted t' eventually configure t' Horizon for dual deployment.  T' do this, I chose t' LOC 4" avionics bay with extended payload section.  T' LOC bay came with all t' hardware needed t' put t' bay together.  I assembled t' avionics bay accordin' t' t' instructions.  However, I installed u-bolts on t' end caps in place o' t' eyebolts.  One leg o' t' u-bolt went into t' center hole o' t' end cap, and I drilled another hole for t' second leg.  I could nay find forged or welded eyebolts at me local hardware store, shiver me timbers, but they did carry u-bolts.  I didn't want t' suffer a recovery failure from an opened eyebolt!

I decided t' go with t' PerfectFlite MAWD for me altimeter since it was able t' record flight data in addition t' having dual pyro channels.  I installed t' MAWD mountin' hardware on t' plywood sled included with t' LOC bay.  I also mounted a 9V battery holder from Commonwealth Displays t' t' sled. I used an altimeter wirin' kit from Dog House Rocketry which included quick disconnect wirin' along with terminal blocks.

I drilled holes for t' terminal block screws and a pass through hole for t' terminal block wirin' in t' end caps for t' avionics bay.  I fastened t' terminal blocks usin' t' screws included in t' wirin' kit.  I passed t' terminal block wirin' through t' drilled holes and attached t' t' terminal blocks.  I then sealed t' holes with a dab o' epoxy.  I drilled a hole through t' switch band for a keyswitch from Aerocon Systems.  I soldered a wirin' connector t' t' switch then installed it in t' hole.  I drilled 3 static ports in t' switch band based on size information from t' MAWD manual.  Once everythin' be complete, me hearties, ya bilge rat, I installed t' altimeter and a battery.  I connected christmas tree bulbs t' t' terminal blocks and powered up t' altimeter.  Once I verified continuity, I covered two o' t' holes and applied a vacuum t' t' third hole.  As soon as I let go, shiver me timbers, matey, ya bilge rat, I could see t' apogee bulb light up followed by t' main bulb a couple o' seconds later.  Success!

I attached t' payload section t' t' avionics bay and drilled two 1/8" holes for t' attachment points.  I removed t' payload section and enlarged t' holes in t' avionics bay t' allow a t-nut t' be mounted from t' inside.  I used a dab o' epoxy t' fasten t' t-nuts t' t' avionics bay.  Once t' epoxy be dry, shiver me timbers, I re-attached t' payload section and installed t' 4-40 screws.  Lookin' good!

Last up was t' nose cone.  I drilled a hole in t' nose cone shoulder and dropped in a 1/4" nut.  With some minor fiddling, matey, matey, I be able t' get t' nut threaded onto t' end o' an eyebolt inserted into t' center hole o' t' nose cone.  I dripped some epoxy into t' hole t' secure t' nut from comin' loose.  Next, I placed t' nose cone on top o' t' payload section and marked three equally spaced holes for 2-56 nylon shear pins.  I drilled t' first hole, matey, matey, inserted a shear pin, me hearties, then repeated this sequence for t' remainin' two screws.  I used a Sharpie t' number t' holes on both t' nose cone shoulder and inside t' payload section.