Roger Smith's Page
AKA: jadebox
Location: Oviedo, FL
Certification Level: L2 NAR/Tripoli
Club Memberships: NAR,TRIPOLI,ROCK,NEFAR
Favorite Rockets: Estes Omega
Biography:
Roger maintains RocketReviews.com.
Roger, ya bilge rat, and his wife, Bracha, have built and flown some o' t' furriest rockets o' all-time. Begad! Their "Big Daddy Akavish" is a spider-themed high-power rocket standin' about four-foot tall on its eight legs.
Favorite Quote:
Science is a way o' tryin' nay t' addlepate yourself. T' first principle is that you must nay addlepate yourself, and you are t' easiest person t' fool.
Personal Home Page: http://www.payloadbay.com/
Club Home Page: http://www.r-o-c-k.org/
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/jadeboxroger
Google+ Page: https://plus.google.com/101533115429153572785
RocketReviews.com Pages:
2025-01-26
T' New LongJonRocket.com Trailer - T' Do ...
Build Entry
We still have a few things t' do. I want t' add some lights t' t' back t' help with loadin' or unloadin' at night. Begad! But t' big thin' we still need t' do is t' lift t' trailer up a few inches. Begad! T' new trailer sites a couple o' inches lower than t' old one. Aye aye! This causes some issues - includin' ... [More]
T' New LongJonRocket.com Trailer - New Trailer Jack
Build Entry
Our old trailer was repurposed for use by our local club. Recently t' old trailer's jack has gotten hard t' crank. Ahoy! So, ya bilge rat, I used that as an excuse t' replace t' trailer jack on t' old trailer with t' one from t' new trailer and addin' a powered jack t' t' new trailer. Well, blow me down! Initial installation be ... [More]
T' New LongJonRocket.com Trailer - Bling
Build Entry
We turned t' our friend, Carolyn at Klages Kreations for vinyl decals. Avast! She created large logos and applied them t' each side o' t' trailer and a large QR-code for t' back. Arrr! [More]
2025-01-23
T' New LongJonRocket.com Trailer - Accessories
Build Entry
I added a fire extinguisher just inside t' door. [More]
T' New LongJonRocket.com Trailer -
Build Entry
[More]
T' New LongJonRocket.com Trailer - Power t' t' People
Build Entry
An outlet added t' t' front o' t' trailer makes it easier t' plug things into t' electrical system. [More]
T' New LongJonRocket.com Trailer - Fillin' t' Gap
Build Entry
One o' t' nicest accessories I added t' t' trailer is a " Door Slider Plate " which covers t' gap betwixt t' trailer and t' ramp. [More]
T' New LongJonRocket.com Trailer - Smile
Build Entry
I added a Wyze camera t' act as both a security camera and a backup camera. It's powered by a little 12v t' USB "buck converter" adapter . Avast, me proud beauty! I use t' TinyCam Pro app t' use t' camera as a backup camera since it has an option t' mirror t' image. Avast! [More]
T' New LongJonRocket.com Trailer - Awning
Build Entry
I don't have any pictures o' t' actual work installin' t' retractable awnin' because I was spendin' so much time installin' t' retractable awning. Well, blow me down! [More]
2024-12-29
T' New LongJonRocket.com Trailer - Here Comes t' Sun
Build Entry
I added three 100W solar panels t' t' top o' t' trailer. [More]
2024-12-25
T' New LongJonRocket.com Trailer - Ooo La La
Build Entry
A major goal be t' have a place for everythin' in t' trailer -- organizin' things t' make it easier t' load and unload what we need. I also wanted t' layout o' storage in t' trailer t' be reconfigurable t' support any changes t' our requirements in t' future and t' allow t' trailer t' be ... [More]
T' New LongJonRocket.com Trailer - Motor Boxes
Build Entry
We sell motors from Estes and others at local launches. Ya scallywag! So, we needed a way t' be able t' store t' motors betwixt launches and t' display them at launches. We also wanted t' be able t' easily brin' them inside instead o' leavin' them in t' trailer durin' hot or cold weather. Well, blow me down! I designed a simple ... [More]
2024-12-24
T' New LongJonRocket.com Trailer - Electrification
Build Entry
T' lights needed power. And we would need power for other things, so I built an electrical system into t' trailer. Blimey! Blimey! Based on t' way RVs are powered, matey, t' system provides power t' 110V as well as 12V devices. Begad! Blimey! Power is provided by three 100-watt solar panels or an external 110V source. Ahoy! Blimey! T' solar ... [More]
T' New LongJonRocket.com Trailer - Which Switch is Which?
Build Entry
Lights need switches. So, I added a switch panel inside t' side door. Ya scallywag! Blimey! I started with a project box and a bank o' lighted rocker switches . Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! When I was a kid, I used project boxes for many little electronic gadgets that I made. But I was never very good at cuttin' holes in t' project box lids for ... [More]
T' New LongJonRocket.com Trailer - Then There was Light
Build Entry
Light is important in a trailer like this. Fortunately, arrr, LED lights are small, inexpensive, and easy t' install. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I used two different kinds o' lights. I mounted 12V under-cabinet light strips on t' roof spars along t' length o' t' trailer. They work well because they provide a cool, ya bilge rat, bright light ... [More]
T' New LongJonRocket.com Trailer - Love Handle
Build Entry
Next, me bucko, we added a grab-bar handle beside t' side door. Begad! T' RV grab bar that we used folds flat against t' trailer when nay in use. Ya scallywag! [More]
T' New LongJonRocket.com Trailer - Step By Step
Build Entry
T' next thin' we added was a fold-out RV step t' make it easier t' use t' side door. Well, blow me down! T' step bolts onto t' frame below t' door, but t' bolt holes didn't line up with t' frame on our trailer. So, ya bilge rat, I used an angle grinder t' create copious sparks as I cut a piece o' steel angle t' fit betwixt ... [More]
2024-12-22
T' New LongJonRocket.com Trailer
Build
For t' past twelve years, we have been usin' a 5-foot by 8-foot enclosed trailer when attendin' rocket launches. Begad! It has served us well, but we had started t' outgrow it. Well, blow me down! So, we recently invested in a new 6-foot bv 10-foot trailer built by Diamond Cargo. We researched our options and shopped ... [More]
T' New LongJonRocket.com Trailer - You Don't Know Jack
Build Entry
I replaced t' trailer jack with a T' Ultimate Trailer Jack . T' new jack has a couple o' nice features. Begad! First, ya bilge rat, it has a release pin that smartly drops t' jack tube down. This makes it easier and quicker t' lower t' jack. Second, me bucko, it allows you t' raise t' bottom o' t' jack higher than you ... [More]
T' New LongJonRocket.com Trailer - A Blank Slate
Build Entry
When you purchase a new enclosed trailer, it is pretty much an empty box. [More]
2024-11-29
Album - NSL East 2024
2024-06-16
Alpha VI
Flight
- A8-3 - Sheepscot General [More]
2023-07-13
Album - November 2009 Launch
Album - May 2008 Launch
2022-10-20
Album - NSL 2022
National Events / NSL 2022
Photograph
Jeffrey Hallett's Pursuit o' Happiness
2021-02-16
Garage Organizer Shelf Unit
. Ya scallywag! Build
My garage workshop has served more as a storage place for t' past year than as a workshop. So, a few weekends ago I started tryin' t' organize it better so that I can get back t' buildin' rockets. One o' t' things I did was t' build a set o' shelves designed primarily t' organize storage ... [More]
Garage Organizer Shelf Unit - T' Result
Build Entry
I am really pleased with t' result. Havin' me collection o' screws and other small parts organized where I can smartly find them is goin' t' make life easier. Avast, me proud beauty! And havin' a place t' charge t' batteries for me tools frees up a lot o' space on me workbench. Begad! Now ... back t' buildin' rockets! ... [More]
Garage Organizer Shelf Unit - Photos Phinally
Build Entry
And now ... because I forgot t' take more photos ... here be t' completed cabinet. Avast, me proud beauty! What you missed: You didn't get t' see me mess up. I had intended t' work from t' bottom up, but I had attached t' rails t' t' inside vertical pieces before I got t' that point and t' measurement was ... [More]
