Why do strobe rockets fail so much?
Most strobe CATOs are due to the incorrect amount of whistle boost and not the strobe mix. Most flop-overs (a strobe just keeps pulsing right into the ground) are due to untested strobe mix and a poor guess on how to make the motor. Before you attempt making strobe rockets, seek advice from a known successful maker of strobes. Do not accept hearsay from web discussion groups or knowledge fakers (those who post answers but really haven’t been there). Whenever someone advises you, it is ok to ask about his or her experience. Strobe mixes burn with a pulsating throb that is controlled by the ratios and quality of the ingredients. The barium sulfate and the mesh size of the magnalium are critical to the success of the mixture. Until you work out a successful mix, you should not try to fly a strobe rocket. Ground test it instead.
