I Sent a 2 Stage Rocket to Mach 3 | Feat. Insta360 GO 3

Thanks to Insta360 for sponsoring this video! To learn more about their new GO 3 camera, click here: www.insta360.com/sal/go-3?ins...
You can sign up for an Onshape account by clicking this link: onshape.pro/BPSSpace
Fin flutter clip from @RocketmanAleks - • LOC Goblin - K400 - Ai...
Thanks to Charlie and Andrew for all their help with launch prep/launch day things:
@AstroCharlie
@andrewadams6473
Thanks so much to Allison for being the actual GOAT at running the ground control station: / transsonicgirl
And thanks to Thomas Booska for all his help searching for debris: / thomasbooska
Help support BPS.space: / bps_space
Second channel, mostly for KSP: / musicmakr
For more info:
/ joebarnard
/ bps_space
/ bps.space
/ bps.space
www.bps.space

[@insta360]

Really pushing GO 3 to its limits 🚀

[@enerconfan9138]

Gotta rebrand it to GO Mach 3

[@alazygamer1032]

People when some rando gets more likes then a good camera company

[@nerys71]

its go model 3 not go MACH 3 bps. :-) hehehe

[@AndrewMerts]

@@enerconfan9138 That's some real poetic justice that the rocket motor overperformance plus the unintended deployment led to something named "GO 3" unintentionally going through this torture test at mach 3. I really hope someone at their marketing department is looking at how to use this. They went from a planned, somewhat mediocre "we want a video of our camera sticking out the side of a rocket!" to "our camera got flipped into mach 3 winds so violent that it broke the mount, the zip tie holding it on, and the kevlar line securing it. It then smacked into a rocket fin, fell 4-5 kilometers, smashed into the desert, and the only damage was to a trim piece on the front. Oh by the way, that trim piece is trivially replaceable and we sell various skins to replace it with", that's the kind of product endorsement you can't buy. I'm sure there's a security camera somewhere in insta360's office with this video on it when they got the news that there was a launch failure. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6asZKlon9WHoqs

[@fullflowaerospace]

This would be great to put on an additional comments section for the camera

[@TheOrbitingBrick]

The camera surviving that flight is far better marketing material than that camera shot would have been! Awesome video as always!

[@chat-gpt-bot]

It's a small plastic object with low terminal velocity falling into dry grass. Any similar camera would survive.

[@KJFMZ]

@@chat-gpt-bot Yes, any camera with similarly well engineered design and robust construction.

[@brightsde3511]

@@chat-gpt-bot true

[@aidenwikto9492]

​@@chat-gpt-botit also survived when it pulled over 10 Gs

[@gelo1238]

@@aidenwikto9492 isnt really that much

[@thethoughtemporium]

Did a quick google. There are 2 very large military bases, one of which is a naval weapons facility very close to the FAR launch site. And if you look at them from space with SAR satellites like sentinel 1, you can see a variety of shiny spots on the bases from feed back from powerful radio emitters on the ground. If I had to bet, that's the issue with your GPS receivers. They probably have counter-weapon systems running in the area. Though if you check the map of GPS anomalies, there doesn't appear to be one over the area, but the fidelity's of the tool I was using to check isn't good. You'd really need a proper SDR on-site. I bet you find all kinds of noise in the GPS bands and similar military bands. You may need to upgrade to something more mil-spec maybe? Eitherway, cool rocket!

[@styxrakash4639]

I was just a Joe Shmoe in the infantry. But I’ll tell you that anytime you are near a large military base your cell service is fucked from all the radios from people training, testing gear, etc…not even necessarily a defensive move - just works out that way.

[@eugenebennett5800]

IT IS CALLED GPS JAMMERS.... EVEN FOR EYES INTEH SKY

[@anned8634]

I can back up that problem with GPS. I use a GPS speed and location unit in my car for tracking radiosondes in the Calif desert, and some days the system will not work right or at all. It works worse around china lake. My SDR shows some anomalies at frequency right around the GPS area.

[@notapplicable7292]

Absolutely could upgrade to some higher quality GPS. Absolutely not under any circumstances will he be using anything mil-spec. The US access controls on military GPS frequencies are insane, even other goverment agencies fail to get access to mil-spec GPS.

[@drutalero2962]

​@@styxrakash4639it's also cuz a lot of the buildings are really old and use a lot of heavy material that fucks up signal

[@xylafoxlin]

my dude you CRUSHED IT

[@arctrix765]

nah he dind't at least not his camera

[@judet2992]

@@arctrix765😂

[@17Beastmode17]

I'd love to see the camera engineer's reaction to this

[@KCM25NJL]

Engineer POV: Oh damn, I'm not paid nearly enough

[@Tokahax]

Accountant's POV: tell the engineers we could probably cut back a bit on the safety factor here...

[@theatermusic87]

Marketing POV: do you think we can sell this to NASA?

[@joshuajaydan]

Intern POV: We need to make TikToks about this.

[@MattCowger]

Right? That engineer is doing their own flex right now.

[@mihaelpanjkrc7870]

That camera scream at 22:33 is hilarious... It turns from excitement at 22:24 to horror hahah

[@jakobbb6405]

yeah i was laughing so hard at this

[@kaden9572]

I thought it was a person at first 😂😂😂 "whoooooooooooooo!"

[@PatrickKQ4HBD]

It's the United States of WOOOO!

[@ctrotaku_alt3330]

*sad rocket noises* :(

[@danw1955]

*HELLLPP MEEEEEEEEE AUUGH!!* 🤣

[@xiphosura413]

The spiral makes me think the rocket was spinning real hard, could the cameras have been pulled out by centrifugal force? Also I love the whistle effect of those camera holes, a whoop of excitement becomes a scream of terror ahaha

[@Boomtowndogs]

This seems very very likely and something i'm surprised he didn't consider

[@Project-Air]

Wow, what a unique use case for these tiny Go 3 cameras! 🙂Wish I'd never lost my Go 2🤣 Nice one as always, Joe!

[@fox3missilevr965]

This is a perfect way to show off how durable your cameras are like imagine in an ad stating that their camera can survive a over 1000 feet free fall and can go Mach 3 and still survive.

[@nerys71]

it all comes down to force. the reason cams like this survive besides being built well is no force. its 35g. this is why your old flashlight with 2 d cells inside "SHATTERS" when you drop it but the pen light just bounces. its all about mass. at 60g's this camera experienced 2kg of relative mass. but a 2kg rocket would experience 120kg of relative mass. BIG difference :-)

[@Jonathan.D]

Too bad they didn't mount an underwater version of them on the Titan sub.

[@peterfireflylund]

terminal velocity will be low, though.

[@nilaksh007]

​@@nerys71yeah it's also why an ant can easily survive falling from a building, an, an elephant can't

[@nerys71]

@@nilaksh007 exactly 💯

[@atlas7309]

Please do a MK2 of this. This was not only a great video, fun to watch but also a fantastic sponsor integration in my opinion. The extra challenge to get a cool shot, a fast af rocket and learning about the ways you track a rocket down was just great!

[@teaddict-]

100% agreed, such an interesting design challenge

[@bethb9737]

The rocket flys or my subscription dies.

[@Tyrannosaurusstudios]

me too

[@toohardtowatch]

And even if that doesn't work out, Eeby Deeby Threeby has a nice ring to it.

[@DigitalJedi]

We for sure need a 2 Eeeby 2 Deeby.

[@Twoface227]

After watching this whole video and what you were asked to do for the sponsorship spot, I honestly cannot think of a better product endorsement than this. Not only did it surive all that in almost "perfect" condition, but it still works. That's absolutely amazing to me. In case a GO3 rep is reading this, I know when I need a small camera, your's will be what I pickup.

[@bushtail7766]

That PoV shot of breaking the sonic barrier is cool as hell

[@bobthedeleter]

this man simply does not stop. by the time I've finished 1 video there's another that's even better!

[@BPSspace]

Don't get too used to it, soon I'll become a Garage Gremlin™ again and go deep into another build phase :P

[@codemonkey2k5]

@@BPSspace but this time you will be live streaming the whole time. ;)

[@Cezij]

​@@BPSspacewen orbital?

[@stellospace]

​@@codemonkey2k5yea, I don't think he will.But I really wish he would.

[@shadowofchaos8932]

Get Minions skins screaming for the cameras. I love my Go2!

[@SuperLuminalMan]

The reason it works in your back yard and not at FAR, is that Murphy lives at FAR, and he loves the smell of solid rocket motors.

[@mduckernz]

I mean, fair, they do smell most excellent - both burned and unburned

[@BiiRO2]

"The Government" :)

[@robertsmith2956]

Area 51 demands all satellites go around it. so your in the zone as they get back on path.

[@stevevernon1978]

@@robertsmith2956 one: satellites don't work that way. two: area 51 can be imaged, and eavesdropped on from "not directly overhead" so there's no point, three: ummm conspiracy much?

[@robertsmith2956]

@@stevevernon1978 prove it. fly one over areas 51 and take pictures.

[@dagz73]

One of your best videos to date, really great! The sound of acceleration on stage 2 was wild! Glad you found 1 of the cameras.

[@krispewkrem3]

You managed to make a 24 minute ad and I loved every second. All the simple yet creative engineering ideas you had! I use a Go 2 every day on my motorcycle or surfing or on my dog. They’re amazing little cameras.

[@aidanleblanc1846]

Mach 3 is a good benchmark for how tough your cameras are, but being able to say it survived 61+ g's of acceleration is more impressive to me

[@DigitalJedi]

For real, the camera kept going through forces that made the specialized flight controller hardware tap out.

[@sethdrake7551]

61g measured plus how ever many it pulled at a supersonic (and really the better part of halfway to hypersonic) uncommanded ejection

[@AngeEinstein]

Just for reference, my Seagate HDD states that warranty is void if it's exceeded 50g. And that's a mechanical Device with a spinning Disk and delicate arms inside.

[@pineapplepizza5733]

​@@AngeEinsteinyou sure its 50gs and not 5gs

[@AngeEinstein]

@@pineapplepizza5733 I'm sorry, I remembered it wrong. I just crawled under my desk and looked and it is 350Gs

[@RedRavenRuler]

I died laughing at the "I also used... An amount... Of black powder". I had to show my coworkers and they also lost it and I think you'll have a few more subscribers off it 😂

[@sunniestpluto]

Can you imagine the advertising for the go 3. From a gentle stroll to Mach 3, we will capture every moment.

[@stemmentor9700]

Always love the debriefs with lessons learned. Keep em flying.

[@liggy287]

I reckon that when the second stage started spinning the centrifugal force forced the cameras to fold out prematurely, it'd also explain why the button panel was bent outwards away from the camera body.

[@fightme5543]

Exactly what I was thinking during that final camera frame. You can almost see the bottom camera leaning out of its frame which would make no sense if it was due to G-force or drag! Makes total sense that a centrifugal force could cause them to open up

[@simeonhunter]

that, or the high air velocity would create a low-pressure zone which would suck the camera outwards

[@killsalot78]

22:29 holy cow that whistling, yeah I bet you're right those cameras got sucked out by air pressure

[@charlesfscott]

Man - I love your channel. I really admire the work you do. Keep up the great work.

[@kurtdowney1489]

What a great video! The camera and you are awesome. Loved every minute of this and look forward to the next.

[@EritoKaio]

The shot of it looking at the other camera had me absolutely dying LMAOOO You never cease to entertain us.

[@user-uj8yt1mu8n]

Bro fighting air resistance.

[@BreakingTaps]

The R2-D2 scream from the camera is just so perfect.

[@lexinexi-hj7zo]

I watch YT everyday, this is my favorite new channel this year! Binge watching as am amateur rocket and organic chemist.

[@jasonshald1912]

I can't believe how far this hobby has come since I first launched an Estes Alpha in 1979! Great stuff! Yes, it needs to fly again!

[@marioghioneto1275]

Never clicked in a video so quick in my life

[@pjmiller7301]

quickest click wr

[@ThatGuyProdz]

Fr

[@rexmoriah8741]

Like daily milk

[@dmacpher]

Hello this is the FAA…

[@BPSspace]

im not picking up sorry my cat is sick and im really busy i cant talk

[@Will-uf7jt]

@@BPSspace@dmacpher as the cat I can confirm I’m ill

[@ferd1775]

​@@Will-uf7jt😂

[@acer48]

@@BPSspaceas the vocal chords, i can confirm i cant talk.

[@user-pb4sz8gx8u]

I'm trying to 3d print a 2 stage rocket using two F15 motors. Any advice?

[@biosdilt1399]

Honestly probably among my favorite sponsoring of a video, it's a great collab which is cool for everyone involved!

[@josephmorelli3191]

Fantastic video…the most fun rocket video I have seen. Great job. Will be looking forward to more!

[@cabe_bedlam]

"For the first time in my life, I used blue tape for its intended purpose." 😆

[@mr_voron]

How to help finance a space shot: Step 1 - do a sponsored video. I gotta say, this is an amazing pairing though. Everybody wins here.

[@BPSspace]

Yeah! Sponsorships like this help a ton, and finding weird ways to pair up with companies while still doing test flights makes that ultimate goal much more achievable :)

[@dennydravis8758]

​@@BPSspaceis there a way on your side to mark sponsored video in the tagging and everything, it feels a lot different from your other product integrations, and not in a nice fuzzy kind of way

[@bryannpr]

@@BPSspace Beyond what I hope is REALLY good money to you for being such a great sponsorsed episode, Insta360 should literally sponsor you - five year term, use their gear in all your projects, and prominent featuring in your videos (non-exclusively, ie., you can still do other sponsored segments for non-competitors). Insta - I'd say that's $100K a year! I've used Go 2s for awhile now, love the camera. Have been eyeing the 3, and this vid is convincing me I need it. The ability to use the action pod thing to connect and control the camera seems much improved over using the phone app, which ties up your phone.

[@krackerslacker]

Loved this video. These camera are awesome!!

[@SteveInPalmSprings]

Amazing video. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@bradenatchison7731]

This rocket is incredible, the redundancy and strength of the airframe is a testament to your trial and error experience that you’ve gained. I wonder if the top servo mount was flipped 180 if the rocket might’ve survived. Something about that 2nd stage leaving that’s just glorious to watch

[@omniyambot9876]

Thank you insta 360 you chose the right channel to sponsor your product!!

[@pitcheung5354]

Just as good as someone jump from space before~

[@danzstuff]

YES! i was waiting for this video

[@SpaceIsCool.]

Super cool flight! Can't wait to see the second version!

[@AstroCharlie]

This was a super cool flight and I know you'll nail the next two stager!

[@mikesheahan6906]

This was the third promo I've seen today for this camera, and by far, your experience with it tells the most amazing story. What a tough little camera!

[@webdaddy]

Your advertiser must be super happy with this video. This is the best integration of an advertiser into a video that I've ever seen.

[@AuthenTech]

Great project!

[@mikegeraci22]

This was such a good video! Love seeing how you’d break down what you know happened up there from the little data you could gather along the way

[@MohammedNabeel-]

Really Informative and has unique content, the simplicity of how the process is shown and explained is truly admirable. Videos like these remind me of the true power of a platform like KZbin.

[@Sir_Uncle_Ned]

Damn! That is one hell of a resilient action camera! 60+ G, smacking a carbon fiber knife at Mach 3, falling from that altitude without a parachute, And it still works! I am in awe of this engineering!

[@0v_x0]

I wonder if anyone has shot one yet. The carbon fiber knife at mach 3 might well compare, although the force of a bullet is much more directed and confined so may ultimately be more destructive.

[@kaden-sd6vb]

At last, a successor to the nokia.

[@weibrot6683]

The sponsor skip guys had a really difficult job with this video, props to you guys, thanks for the great work 👍

[@Hawk7886]

SponsorBlock is crowdsourced but yeah it went hog wild on this vid lol

[@bobthedeleter]

22:23 damn that camera is excited to be on a rocket

[@petevenuti7355]

...And then it wasn't...

[@AJ_s257]

I am following your channel from years and with every video you upload, i get to know about amateur rocketry more and more even though i am not yet into it but i will launch my own amateur rocket soon, thanks for your amazing videos

[@ArsonalTech]

This was really interesting. You have earned my subscription!

[@jimtiller5239]

It's gotta be great to build something and see it work. That's a great rocket and one helluva camera.

[@SixOThree]

I used those comspec trackers on my pets for like 10 years. Imagine seeing someone outside your house with one of those things. My neighbors were all very cool about it though. And sometimes a cat would come home without their collar so I'd have to ask neighbors to let me poke around their yard with this beeping antenna thing trying to save like 50 bucks on a new collar.

[@karlguniker8371]

If you name the rocket EBDB next time that could stand for: 1. Experimental Boosted Delivery Vehicle 2. Enhanced Ballistic Dual Burner 3. Exploration Beyond Deep Boundaries 4. Emergency Beacon Deployment Bot (if things get hot)

[@petevenuti7355]

#4 that's my vote

[@womblissimo6666]

Extremely Badly Determined Black-powder.

[@Calliber50]

Extra-terrestrial Bad Day Bringer. Dude hit a UFO with his rocket.

[@johnnylego807]

Insane sponsorship!!! Definitely gonna get me an insta 360! This told me alone how good of a product and company they are!!!

[@oddzc]

It must feel good having companies reach out to you for specific rocket based projects. Nice job!

[@CDRaff]

My daughter and I have been building model rockets for the past few months and I have been making and printing fin guides for them. I was thinking it was overkill, but now that I see you doing it I feel a bit better. Though we are working on very different skill levels.

[@fightme5543]

Nothing is overkill with model rockets! Everything you do, no matter how seemingly insignificant, will have massive effects on the final performance of your rocket! Best of luck!

[@Francois_L_7933]

When I chamfer the edges of the fins, I always do them all at the same time by staggering them and clamping them together before sanding. I just lay them on a flat surface, edge down, and then angle the whole set so that the edges still touch the surface, then I clamp. That method ensures that they are all the same.

[@zxggwrt]

Yeah. I would do it this way or not at all. If not done perfectly they will steer you.

[@johnmikel5934]

Excellent performance, planning and construction!

[@cathalodiubhain5739]

Outstanding

[@alexaarhus9600]

This was awesome to witness and be a part of the recovery effort! Ebby Deeby for life!

[@Genesis8934]

7:14 Speaking of over-complication (which I think you might like as a challenge xD), maybe try some synchronized rockets looking back at each other? 👀

[@tvre0]

That would be extremely dangerous. If they hit each other they would immediately mutually break up, which if it happened early enough in flight, could cause injury to people nearby. Furthermore, assuming they don't hit each other, they would experience some amount of roll during the flight, so tracking would be required. They also might travel vertically at different rates which would require the camera to point up/down inside the rocket, which may or may not cause turbulence, don't quote me on that one. Although it's an extremely cool idea, it's very complicated, unsafe, and impractical. Believe me, I would love to see that shot, but it can't be done.

[@sheep1ewe]

Thank You for uploading those videos, this was genuinely interesting as always! And the ansveaar to Your queston is Yes, of course!

[@arnoldochris5082]

im loving this

[@christopherblare6414]

Ok the drill cam was way cool than I expected it to be.

[@wow-roblox8370]

Congratulations on the rocket launch

[@tzafas2]

This guy is awesome!! Bravo!!

[@farmerinthesky]

Excellent! I want a whole bag of those cameras!

[@thejesuschrist]

So freakin cool

[@That-One-Aviator]

HI JESUS

[@skoovee]

jesus loves rockets

[@chloehennessey6813]

Wonder if there is a Prophet Muhammad or if it’s just Christian’s who get poked fun at on social media.

[@rahul2000]

the more astonishing thing is that you learn all these on your own from scratch, i want to ask you that from where do you learn all these things, also how you learned aeronautical engineering along with electronics engineering because you have designed great rockets but also the brains of it heck you have developed your own micro controller you are really hardworking much much more than i'm, hats off.

[@jimkelsall9349]

As ever, awesome, interesting, and hilarious. Thank you Joe!

[@szogun1987]

I ❤ how this camera stabilizes recording against ground so the rocket spins in the middle of the record instead of the whole world around it.

[@hamsteri216]

you dont have to be a rocket scientist to realize how good these videos are

[@KingEdits..]

This man's relentless creativity knows no bounds. Just as I finish one video, another even more captivating masterpiece awaits!

[@pastrie42]

I'm such a huge fan. I'm currently upgrading a sous vide cooker that I made in college. Your videos remind me to stay passionate, even if I'm not doing things as cool as rocketry! =)

[@user-tk7hs7px3g]

Hi, we can reduce the drag force attributed by the both cameras by modifying the design a little. One of the modifications will be positional while the second will be structural aerodynamics. You have done such a great job.

[@maxenceleboeuf]

Looks like the Insta360 embargo ended today (a bunch of youtubers are releasing their videos on the Go 3).

[@cosminlucacel]

This might be one of the most impressive marketing stunts a camera manufacturer unintentionally pulled off.

[@reezlaw]

Unintentionally?

[@cosminlucacel]

@@reezlaw The camera fell over 3km and survived. Def not planned therefore unintentionally

[@scrolldier]

I'm a huge fan of Insta360, cant wait to check out the GO3!

[@dwilliam16]

You could probably do the same setup for camera deployment with a small modification. Mount a layer of perforated cardstock sealed to the fuselage over where they deploy from, then add a blade or spike to the camera. Camera stays behind aerodynamic shield until deployment, blade or spike rips (or somehow shears it completely away) the cardstock for the shot, and the normal airstream from terminal velocity until shoot deployment should be safe for the current rig. Or, since the faceplate of the camera is removable, print a plate with that will seal the airstream around the camera, but can break away if needed after deployment. All sorts of fun solutions.

[@JoBoToGo]

I mean, you have to call Mk2 "Eeby Deeby Tooby" so you can eventually make "Eeby Deeby Threeby"...

[@scottdotjazzman]

This!

[@mantrachhaya6835]

I thought this camera might be a bit gimmicky, but this camera is just next level rugged, and i dare to say that it is tougher than a Nokia, hats of to insta 360 guys for making a tiny camera which included all accessories in a box... I know that if i want a camera size of my thumb which can survive no matter what adventure i go to, i will buy this thing...

[@iplaytday9081]

sex

[@junpreetham]

This is the greatest product promo I've ever seen 👏🏻🙌🏻

[@seckid37]

This was super cool, thank you!

[@crispy_338]

I can’t wait for the space shot. Shits gonna be insane

[@Jeff-so3kj]

Do you think the open portal on the side of the rocket could have produced some low pressure as the supersonic air passed over it? Possibly pulling the camera out into the air stream? Rather than the change in G forces? Or possibly some vortexes inside the portal compartment, with the same effect?

[@HDCairnsAviation]

Now that's fast, this is so awesome!

[@nickgrishin2068]

In the next rocket it would probably be better to have both cameras' hinges be at the top of their mounts, so that if they flop into the airstream they would get pushed back in

[@0v_x0]

This should actually work since they are 360° cameras, they can be facing the same orientation and still record each other.

[@cyphre]

The ultimate drop camera drop test. No one else could have achieved that.

[@athief]

Totally epic!

[@annteve]

Just happened onto this. If you’re an engineer, you’re a very _young_ looking one. I’m just astonished at what you’re accomplishing. This is some very sophisticated rocketry. Many years ago I visited a Goddard Museum in Worcester, MA and was privileged to hold to look through one of his original handwritten note books.

[@adrianus13]

Here’s hoping they sponsor a rebuild! Maybe with doors to cover the cameras before they come out?

[@soundvoyager457]

Have you tried using a simple wideband SDR to check for EMI at the launch site? (11:22) You can compare wideband analysis from home to that of the launch site and figure the EMI source. I wonder about the 360 if it would survive a drop from onboard the ISS as well; Marvelous sounds it got there haha!! Can't wait to see a second trial in this shot.

[@Henning_S.]

If you try to drop it from the ISS it will stay in orbit for weeks or months and at least it battery will die very quickly because of the extreme temperatures and also vacuum...

[@atomspalter2090]

nice video. What a Launch!

[@stevennagley3407]

Awesome content!

[@faultboy]

This is 10x times better than the Hacksmith smacking this thing around for no reason just for the placement. EDIT: 8:45 Nevermind, whatdaheck, do they give you instructions for this unfunny stuff? Good that this is not a "drink a shot on insta mentioning".

[@SpacefarerIndustries]

If you do end up making Eeby Deeby 2, I think just having a sliding door controlled by a high throw servo would work fine for the cameras. They wouldn't need high torque and surely there's room for two more flat servos in there, right?

[@jefeglancy]

Doors, or even just a pin that lock in the cameras. Then have the camera on a spring-loaded mount which folds out when unlocked.

[@omeraytekin7821]

So great to see you in action man!!

[@johnnyj540]

I love your channel you've come a long way in a short amount of time.

[@SarahKchannel]

I noticed that my GPS devices tend to work different at different times of day and location. Some satellites seem to rise in my area pretty low on the horizon, while disappearing on the opposite side. In those 'in between' moments I can get good signal from inside my office on the first floor, while acquisition takes forever in front of the house out doors. 1-2h later I have nothing my office but few seconds to lock in front of the house. So time and geography definitively plays are role. The other thing that might interfere is you launch mount, which is a lightning arrester from a RF point of view. Maybe the signal path for the RF from GPS is just 'shorted' through the tower ?