Pratt Hobbies is scheduled to re-release the popular Launch Box launch controller in the near future. At the recent NARHAMS, Doug Pratt tested the prototype of the new controller. The old one became unavailable when Pratt couldn't get the aluminum boxes for it any more, so the decision was to take it as an opportunity to redesign the thing into a relay-type system.

The new Launch Box will reside in a little plastic tool box. You put it down next to the pad and open it. Six feet of heavy-gauge wire plugs into the output end, so there is a minimum of distance between the battery and the igniter. Switching from Safe to Armed sounds a flashbulb-safe continuity alarm.

The hand controller connects to the box through 50 feet of common 4-conductor telephone cable. The controller itself is molded with finger grips similar to a joystick and is housed in a compartment in the box lid.

After hooking up your igniter and arming the box, you take the hand controller and walk back to the other end of the 50 foot cable. Plugging in the hand controller sounds another continuity buzzer built into the handle indicating that the controller is properly connected. Hitting the button activates the 40-amp relay, which directly connects the 12v Nicad Power Pack to the igniter.

Pratt is currently rearranging the switches and plugs inside the box, in response to some feedback from the NARHAMS range crowd. Initial production run is within the next three weeks. The LB-12C Launch Box will be complete with all wiring and hardware, internal Power Pack, charger, and spare clips, ans is expected to retail for $79.95.

Watch www.pratthobbies.com and the Rocketry Online news sections for announcements. Members of the CompuServe Sport Rocketry Forum will be offered a discount on the first batch. If you already have an older Launch Box or single Power Pack, Pratt says he is pretty sure you can work out a trade-in arrangement.