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Re: PCB layout
Hi all
I just built a tracker with Eduards fw and got it working so here is some info that I hope will help others.
We need to download Arduino IDE, Im using arduino 1.8.9 and I know Eduard is using 1.8.8 so either should work, you find it on
Then you need to add the following code to your boards.txt file under Program files/arduino/hardware/arduino/avr? ?(boards.txt is included in the rar)
and then choose this board in Tools menu, when compiling it will probably give a few warnings about the board but its ok.
##############################################################
pAvaR6LP.name=pAVA R6 Low Power (1.8V, 4 MHz) w/ ATmega328
pAvaR6LP.upload.tool=avrdude
pAvaR6LP.upload.protocol=arduino
pAvaR6LP.upload.maximum_size=30720
pAvaR6LP.upload.speed=57600
pAvaR6LP.bootloader.tool=avrdude
pAvaR6LP.bootloader.low_fuses=0xFD
pAvaR6LP.bootloader.high_fuses=0xDA
pAvaR6LP.bootloader.extended_fuses=0xFE
pAvaR6LP.bootloader.path=atmega
pAvaR6LP.bootloader.file=atmega/ATmegaBOOT_168_atmega328.hex
pAvaR6LP.bootloader.unlock_bits=0x3F
pAvaR6LP.bootloader.lock_bits=0x0F
pAvaR6LP.build.mcu=atmega328p
pAvaR6LP.build.f_cpu=4000000L
pAvaR6LP.build.core=arduino
pAvaR6LP.build.variant=standard
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We are using the delayMicroseconds function. We need to get the arduino ide aware of our 4Mhz clock. You'll need to replace the wiring.c file under program files/arduino/hardware/arduino/avr/cores/arduino
wiring.c is attached in rar, and as you see, the 328 is driven with a? 4Mhz osc.
If you use another program to burn the hex then set fuses FD DA FE
test the boards: if you solder a board up and want to test if it tx and see that the 328 can communicate with si5351,
upload oscillator.ino and it will put a carrier on 14.097.000, no gps is needed to run this, as of the complete build and flight fw loaded will probably only work if you have a (ublox) gps soldered on.
Libraries needed, unrar and put in ...\arduino-1.8.9\libraries
Time? //? TinyGPS++? //? Si5351? //? JTEncode
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Edit the files to fit your conditions
There are three importent setting,?
1. Call is set in the main ino file.
2. 27Mhz tcxo "real" freq is set in TelemFunctions.h
3.Telemetry channel is also set in TelemFunctions.h.
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I include a test hex file with a fake call (AA0AAA) that is tested running on 20m wspr freq, it starts 2 min in, in every 10min slot like 10:02? /? 10:12 and so on, if you get this working you have a good working tracker.
---- /g/HABalloon/files/HABalloon_v0.3.zip I hope I have not forgot anything, but feel free to ask if there is anything unclear :) /Mikael |
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Re: PCB layout
When are you planning on launching so we can keep our ears open? On Wed, May 22, 2019, 11:01 AM <yo9ict@...> wrote:
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Re: PCB layout
What editor do you suggest to use to edit your firmware? If you are able to create pages in wordpress, I can host your pages on R Il Mer 22 Mag 2019, 17:01 <yo9ict@...> ha scritto:
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Re: PCB layout
Nice work, the tracker looks very good. I can see you spent a lot of time in it's design. What protocol did you settle on for your telemetry? I can't wait to see it fly Stephen KD2NDR? On Wed, May 22, 2019, 4:32 AM <yo9ict@...> wrote: Hi, |
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Re: PCB layout
Hallo dear Eduard, good morning to you and all.
I change hosting provider one month ago, and the last one I have has a different "approach" to update by ftp client. It is possible I give you a trackign page, but I need you follow precise instructions that I would send you by mail. Please write me to following address: roberto.pietrafesa@... and I will answer you with instructions. Let me express you my congratulations for your achievement. The PCB seems to be very nice, and I'm sure it will fly well in the sky. Remember I'm using Channel 16 (Qx6xxx) for my test and for my future flight. In the past (probably 2018) I was notified that we would ask "authorization" to Mr. Michael Hojnowski (callsign KD2EAT). Of course, as you can image that is not mandatory, he is not an "Authority" but, in order to avoid channel conflicts in the future, I think it may be a nice idea to write him to decide what channel is better to use. Again, it is an option, not mandatory. I did it. The page where you can find chanels is His email is kd2eat@.... I will be waiting for your further message by email. Have a nice day. ?73 de IZ7VHF Roberto, southern Italy. |
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Re: PCB layout
Hallo Eduard, bun? seara ?i multumesc mult !
I have read your email deeply and I'm happy there are several people involved in this nice hobby. I have a website, named where I put a map with all "launchers". If you want, I can put marker on your place, and if other people wants, I can put their markers too. I'm curious to know the code of your firmware, that may be interesting to understand how it works. Unfortunately, U3S special firmware is not open source, and we have to accept it "as is". Thanks a loto to Hans Summers to have developed it and shared with us, of course. I met Hans 2 years ago in Fredrichshafen Ham Fest, Germany. If you have more ideas on how to improve website radio-signals.com, I can try to make it "our house" in order to have our own place where to share things. In the meanwhile, let me wish you and your family all the best. I'm on Facebook to. Nice to accept your friendship, Eduard. ?? 73 de IZ7VHF Roberto |
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Re: PCB layout
Hallo dear friend Eduard, bun? seara!
I'm Roberto Pietrafesa, IZ7VHF from southern Italy. I'm 43 years old aerospace engineer working where we build carbon fiber fuselage sections of Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Apulia region, southern Italy. I'm interested in launching WSPR tracked balloon, and probably I will have my first launch within next month, May 2019, after couple of years of following project, helped by two nice men, Jim and Mikael. I'm waiting to receive my PCB from manufacturer in China, in couple of weeks. Attached is a picure with layout (GPS module is below, not visible in this picture). First and foremost, congraulations for your layout, it is very good, similar to an artificial satellite. I have couple of question for you, if it is possible: 1) Do you use a step up converter for solar panel voltage? I see only 4 panels, so I suppose you haave 4x 0.6 Volt = 2.4 Volt, instead of 3.3 required by system to work. 2) What firmware are you using to send JT9 and WSPR? Thank you and best wishes for your launches! 73 de IZ7VHF Roberto. |
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Re: Si5351 reception reports
Well I hadn't found much information on how much RF power was being used on the flights that I had read about which is why I set up the test circuit. Same with the multiple bands. I wasn't planning on putting more than one low pass filter in the system but may just go with 2 bands and put a trap filter in the antenna wire using SMD components.
I agree the 10mW appears to work quite well. I had at one point set the Si5351 at its lowest power level and put a resistor network on its output to get 1mW on the antenna. I was still getting reports over 4000km away. Steve S |
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Re: Si5351 reception reports
To my experience there is no need for an amplifier, even at the moste remote areas of the world Im getting a lots of spots runnig the 5351 barebone, Im using 20m band and cut the antenna to regular formula with the 95% shortening of the legs, longest spots heard is 19000km, and I have got a couple of +17000km spots whitch says some of the benefits of wspr :)??
A friend of mine that flow on the south hemisphere (mostly water) used a simple bs170 as a an amp to get a few more db:s out, se attached pic of one of his earliest trackers. /Mikael |
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Si5351 reception reports
I have made some changes to the code I found in this group's file download section to do some testing. I am deciding whether I would need to increase the RF output of the SI5351 to ensure its reports are heard during a balloon mission. I am still waiting for parts to build the amplifier to get 200-500 milli-watts output to the antenna.
In the mean time, I have been running a WSPR transmitter using a SI5351 module with the output at about 10 mW. I am in northwest Ohio, USA, and have received reception reports from Alaska to Germany to Brazil; over 1000 reports a day. So I'm not sure if spending the additional amperage would be worth it when sunshine and supercaps are all I have for a power supply. My antenna right now is longer than what I will have on the flight, but it's fun to check out the results. If interested, check out the W8AN TX reports at and . The transmitter is just an Arduino Nano connected to a generic Si5351 module. There is a GoouuuTech GT-U7 GPS module attached for position and time information. My antenna is a 160 meter off-center-fed Windom up about 35 feet. I do have 5 low pass filters from that are switched in based on the band of transmission. Steve S |
Roberto Pietrafesa
Steve S
