6/8/2017 APRS tracker with DRA818V – F4HUY

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APRS TRACKER WITH DRA818V
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F4HUY / 26 January 2016 / 43 Comments / Embedded, RF
UV3R+ vs. GT-3 TP
Small prototype of combination between trackuino and DRA818V,
MarkIII

MP1 SuperAntenna

Tests rapide sur

Overview
Hamnet via l’AP “Trackuino is intended for use by licensed radio amateurs. By operating on the

d’F5ZEQ standard APRS frequency, the signal can be picked up by an Internet gateway
and reported on aprs.fi, so anyone with an Internet connection can track the
tracker”
META
The idea of this project was to build a trackuino board with small gps module,
Log in
low power arduino pro mini (3.3v @8mhz), a VHF transceiver DRA818V, and
Entries RSS power management integrated.
Comments RSS

WordPress.org

HF-VHF PREDICTION

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6/8/2017 APRS tracker with DRA818V – F4HUY

µC: The Arduino pro mini is intentionally clocked to 8mhz to ensure a less
power consumption. Trackuino code was modified to send data to the VHF
ADS
module, a resistors divider provide voltage batterie monitoring, and a LM60,
the global board temperature. PTT on pin 10, Wakup/Sleep mode control on
pin 11, and APRS audio modulation, pin 9, with a capacitor link and
adjustable resistor (100k).

GPS: is a 4D Systems | GPS-PA6B (16x16mm!), Enable pin is wired to a

MOSFET, for a futur power management control function (pin 2 of Arduino).

Radio: Ensured by a Chinese TRX DRA818V VHF module, power output is

selectable between 500mw/1W, the module is drives by a UART
communication bus on pin 7/12 from Arduino. also, he provide a Power saving
control mode. I have put a low pass filter from minicircuit to avoid spurious

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modulation, the antenna is a 169Mhz version from Lextronic on a SMA

connector. All of component are powered under 3.7v.

Dimension are 80x56mm. Weight 78g.

PRT
Calibration
Guide
Improve RTD or
PT100 Accuracy.
Fluke Application
Note Download
Power: A batteries from smartphone provide 3.7v@1450Mah, and can be
charged with a dedicated chip, LTC4054.

Download Now

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6/8/2017 APRS tracker with DRA818V – F4HUY

Trackuino modified source code can be download here.

Quick dirty schematic is here. Fell free to improve it.

If you are a licensed radio amateur you can use this @30db power on VHF
APRS band 144.800, 144.390. If you are not, the ISM European 169mhz is
open @27db max power output with 1% duty-cycle without licence. Be carreful
to respect your local laws.

Tags: aprs, dra818v, tracker, vhf

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43 Responses

george / 4-4-2016 / ·

excellent do you have any fritzing schetc?

Also if you are transimiting something in this specific frequensy ,

everybody in this freq can listen your data?

what if someone got two of these moduiles

TX and RX and TX send Long,Lat. and only the specific RX wants to

get those data ? can this be done , or you have to make some kind of

encryption between those Server and Client machines?

j3tstream / 4-4-2016 / ·

excellent do you have any fritzing schetc?

– NO, no needed in fact.

Also if you are transmitting something in this specific

frequency , everybody in this freq can listen your data?

– YES, since is APRS

what if someone got two of these modules TX and RX and

TX send Long,Lat. and only the specific RX wants to get

those data ? can this be done , or you have to make some

kind of encryption between those Server and Client

machines?

– You can implement an encryption, as you want of course,

but it’s not required, since is TRX modules, you can send

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long,lat with one module and receive with another in same

frequency, sensitivity is -122db

Tony Cekolin – AK4ZF / 6-4-2016 / ·

The amateur license in the US which is required to

transmit in the 2 meter band (144 MHz) forbids

encryption. The FCC has been so far unwilling to

bend on that though a number of amateurs have

made requests to add encryption to the rules for

VHF/UHF.

alex / 4-8-2016 / ·

hi

where do you define the gps object? I got an error in line 122 (

gps.encode(Serial.read()); ) —>gps was not declared in this scope

regards

/alex

j3tstream / 4-8-2016 / ·

Hello. What is the version of arduino IDE you use ? Code

need to be compiled with v1 if i remember. I will check when

i back to home next week.

Margaret Mooney / 5-11-2016 / ·

Hi

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I’m interested in using your project for HAB

research. I was wondering if you have a more

comprehensive parts list. More specifically, where

did you purchase your optocoupler and what diodes

are you using?

Regards

Margaret

alex / 4-9-2016 / ·

hi,

I actually use 1.6.8 on Mac, I have tried also 1.0.5 on Mac with

another error (undefined reference to setup/loop)

which version of 1.x have you used?

regards

/alex

alex / 4-9-2016 / ·

I have renamed the scatch and the folder to trackuino

(without the version number in it) an get the old error (gps

was not declared in this scope…) with ice 1.0.5

j3tstream / 4-11-2016 / ·

code fixed, thx

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Margaret Mooney / 5-11-2016 / ·

Hi

I’m interested in using your project for HAB research. I was

wondering if you have a more comprehensive parts list. More

specifically, where did you purchase your optocoupler and what

diodes are you using?

Regards

Margaret

j3tstream / 5-11-2016 / ·

hello, i use an generic optocoupler because i have

experienced problems with the dra818v module (the magic

of Chinese’s products), some people use resistor divider like

=>,

https://hamprojects.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dra818.png

, for PD pin, to drive PTT pin i use 2N7002 transistor. also in

any case check the level needed into the datasheet.

Margaret Mooney / 5-11-2016 / ·

What do you mean generic optocoupler? If I were to

buy one from mouser, what type of requirements do

I need? Sorry to be so lame, but I’m new at this.

Weird Lab / 5-11-2016 / ·

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i use a PC817 ,

http://www.futurlec.com/LED/PC817.shtml

Mitek / 6-3-2016 / ·

Why not use LORA network ? Currently many stations placed in EU.

Weird Lab / 6-3-2016 / ·

You can of course, but this application is intended to

amateur use (no external cost)

Andrej / 7-19-2016 / ·

you have wrong audio pin 9–> on schematic the right one is arduino

pin 3

73 de Andrej

Weird Lab / 7-21-2016 / ·

right, you can use 3 or 11

Steve / 8-3-2016 / ·

I’m planning to use this project as a starting point to something

bigger. Similar to what has been posted on the ARRL website, I’m

going to try and sort out how to use the APRS system to remote

control a small robotic platform by sending commands to it as “One-

liner” messages. Obviously, I haven’t yet worked out what needs to

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be changed in the code for this tracker to recognize those one line

messages and interpret them as commands. Do you have any ideas

there? If you are still actively working on this project, perhaps we can

exchange email on the subject?

Thank you for putting this online.

KG7WPQ

gohai / 9-26-2016 / ·

Hello Weird Lab,

Thanks for this informative post. I am currently also trying to learn

about the DRA818V module, and using it in combination with a 3.3V

Atmega microcontroller.

There are a few points that I currently don’t understand – which isn’t

that surprising, given that I am pretty much a novice in this field.

Perhaps you, or someone else who comes across this comment

could try to explain. This would be greatly apprechiated!

* the PTT transistor: is the external transistor just there as a

“convenience”, to invert the signal from the microcontroller and make

it default to receive? Or is there any other value to it? (e.g. driving the

PTT pin with more current?)

* the PD optocoupler: you mention above that this works, but other

people also use resistor dividers … I am curious as to why? What

happens when one connects it simply to an output of the

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microcontroller and drive it high or low? (Is the radio module sinking

current through the microcontroller when PD is low?)

* the passives between the audio pin and the microphone input: at

the end the voltage should be about 100 mV peak-to-peak for the

radio, am I right? What values (or ratios) did you end up using for

your 100kOhm trimpot at the end?

I have also seem designs where the coupling capacitor is at the other

end, right at the microphone in. Does this make a difference?

Thanks a lot, with kind regards

gohai

Weird Lab / 9-27-2016 / ·

Hello,

Sadly, the datasheet do not provide a lot of information’s …

– to switch to “Transmitting” mode, Tx, you just need to put

PTT pin to ground, by default if you leave this pin floated,

the DRA818 will be in RX mode.

– yes other people also use resistor dividers, but in my case

it was unstable

– for your last question is depending of kind of modulation

or bandwidth desired, i have used a 100k to adjust as better

the quality of modulation.

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keep in mind it’s a very cheap TRX, and after testing a lot of

, its not the same quality for all product, (as always with

Chinese and cheap product).

so, the way is to made a prototyp

Waldek / 9-26-2016 / ·

Hi,

Is it possible connect audio output from pin 3 DRA818V to my small

Raspberry PI with USB sound card to decode APRS frames when TX

not transmit using your solution ???

Weird Lab / 9-26-2016 / ·

not sure it’s will work well , because the signal come from a

DSP (and distorted) not from discriminator output

Waldek / 10-12-2016 / ·

Thank you for replay.

I don’t have LM60 sensor but I have very popular

sensor DS18B20. Can I use this sensor instead

LM60 without modify code ??

73 Waldek

Weird Lab / 10-12-2016 / ·

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Hello Waldek,

Sadly no. Lm60 is a analog sensor. Ds18b20

use 1-wire connection (digital output).

Waldek / 10-13-2016 / ·

Hi,

Thanks for important for me

information.

Ok I have found information about

analog sensors:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Temperature-

Sensor-Tutorial/

and I suppose that TM36 or LM35

sensors will be OK ??? I am asking

about replacement sensor because at

current it is difficult buy in my country

LM60 for this reason I have looking

others sensor to use

73 Waldek

Waldek / 10-13-2016 / ·

Ups sorry I have wrote wrong name sensors in my previous post not

TM36 but TMP36

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http://www.ladyada.net/media/sensors/TMP35_36_37.pdf

I hope it will now ok replacement LM60

73 Waldek

Weird Lab / 10-13-2016 / ·

yes it will work, but you need to change the scale factor in

the code, (if i remember, around sensor_avr.cpp)

Linear Scale Factor is 6.25 mV/°C for LM60, AND 10 mV/°C

for TMP36

(LM60 can be get from Ti for SAMPLE, then you can test

before buying some on ebay … or not)

Waldek / 10-13-2016 / ·

Hi,

Many thanks for suggestion and advise to request

free sample for TI LM60. I have register on TI but it

is look I can request free sample because IT send

free sample only for a corporate (.com) email but

I don’t have corporate email which have on end

.com

Waldek / 10-14-2016 / ·

I have found in sensor_avr.cpp formula

where is used scalar for LM60

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case 1: // C

// Vo(mV) = (6.25*T) + 424 -> T = (Vo – 424)

* 100 / 625

return (4L * (mV – 424) / 25) +

CALIBRATION_VAL;

for TMP36 should be ???:

case 1: // C

// Vo(mV) = (10*T) + 424 -> T = (Vo – 424)/

10

return ((mV – 424) / 10) +

CALIBRATION_VAL;

I am not sure that we need return

temperature in Integer Constants and we

need use for example:

case 1: // C

// Vo(mV) = (10*T) + 424 -> T = (Vo –

424)*10/ 100

return (10L*(mV – 424) / 100) +

CALIBRATION_VAL;

73 Waldek

Waldek / 11-12-2016 / ·

Hi Weird Lab

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I have collected all parts and start with build your construction. I will

be use TMP36 instead LM60 and I will be use opto-coupler 4N25.

But I have review your schematic and photo I have see that you are

use 2 resistors with PC817. What kind/ value resistors your are use ?

73 Waldek

Weird Lab / 11-12-2016 / ·

Hello, Waldek

On the top is a 0 ohm wired Vcc to optocoupler, on the

bottom is a pulldown resistor (1 or 10k)

Waldek / 11-12-2016 / ·

Ok thanks,

Pleas look like on schematic:

http://www.hownottoengineer.com/projects/cnc/images/4n25.png

Resistor R1 is 0 ohm or you wrote that 0 ohm is

between Vcc and 5 PIN 4N25 ??

R2 is pulldown (1 to 10 kom) ???

Weird Lab / 11-12-2016 / ·

sorry, i do a check on the board,

if you take your schematic, in my case, R1 is

1K btw pin 11 and optocoupler (diode), and

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Vcc to optocoupler is 0 ohm (transistor).

some use simple resistor divider,

https://hamprojects.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dra.png?

w=660

Waldek / 11-13-2016 / ·

Hi Weird Lab,

Please look on my small modification of your schematic

http://sp2pmk.tvk.torun.pl/data/uploads/aprstracker.png

I have made to my electronic parts , I have different module GPS and

sensor and optocoupler.

It is all OK ???

Weird Lab / 11-13-2016 / ·

you can use what you want of GPS module, just ensure you

use the good baud-rate.

you can connect the opto directly to Vcc, in my case i use 0

ohm resistor to Vcc because it was a strap.

Recep Can Yıldız / 1-16-2017 / ·

Hey so i want to know which diode are you using ?

Weird Lab / 1-16-2017 / ·

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hello, which diode ? there is only 2 LED’s and the diode of

the optocoupler

Recep Can Yıldız / 1-17-2017 / ·

diode of the octocoupler

Tony, M0GLU / 4-8-2017 / ·

Hi,

I’m upload the code my Arduino Nano.

But, doesn’t work. trackuino1.51_rev2.ino

Before I upload checked the code with Arduino IDE, don’t give error

or warning message.

And of course I setting up the conf.h

When uploaded not error massege.

It does not do anything.

I connected one LED to PTT and one to GPS power port.

The LED lighting on inmediately When finished program upload or

press reset button on the Arduino.

The RX LED flicking on Arduino when GPS modul send GGA

messages.

The GPS is fixed.

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Thank you any idea.

Tony

F4HUY / 4-20-2017 / ·

its fixed

Cassio (PU5GEO/Brazil) / 4-19-2017 / ·

The link http://www.weirdlab.fr/wp-

content/uploads/2016/01/DRA818V_Trackuino.PNG is broken.

Do you have the schematic in another address?

73’s

F4HUY / 4-20-2017 / ·

hello, old domain is not longer available, it’s fixed, thx

APRS Tracker, with SmartBeaconing – F4HUY / 4-24-2017 / ·

[…] GPS EM406, RF out up to 7W with a RA07M1317M from

Mitsubishi. It’s around the same design of this, but with some

modifications on the Trackuino code, something like called […]

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