Robert,
You can always reach me via allen@.... ( I have a bunch of email addresses) The shipping address for Micro-Trak tech support?is:
A.R. Lord 566 Crestfall Drive, Washington, MO 63090
They told me that it did not rain much in Missouri in the?Summer... "They" lied. It seems like the weather has two speeds, hot and humid, or hot and raining. The people who lied about the rain ( Missourians talk about the weather a lot) tell me that it's going to cool off next month. If that does not include a lot of rain, I am going to set up a 25 Foot mast, and place a couple of flags on it with an antenna?on top. Probably a Missouri flag. This will be a test antenna and a digipeater or I-Gate antenna, since the nearest digi is 18 miles away, and the terrain is not VHF friendly. Since this is also kind of a GMRS ghost town, I am considering?setting up a GMRS repeater too. On the other hand, the cost of living is about 40-45% of that of my old house in Napa, California. Electricity here runs about?$100.00 a month with the AC on all day and part of the night. In Napa, that would have run us about $600.00 a month to run the AC. The prices on housing will make Californian's laugh out loud when they see how much even brand new houses sell for. There is no crime to speak of in my neighborhood. Send me your RTG when you are ready.
73,
Allen
Hi Allen,
I've got a lot of "life" going on now, as I'm sure you do with your relocation. We're looking into building an ADU to have a parent live close, for health/medical reasons. I'd like to send my RTG to you but I don't know when I'll find the time. I thought I had your email from my AIO purchase but can't find it in my contacts (probably buried in an ebay msg?) . My call at ARRL.net is good, no rush, it seems I can go 1.5 months between filling my gas tank these days-- so APRS isn't used as often as when I was commuting to/from work.
I hope your move went smooth and all the benefits you'd hoped for came to fruition.
73 AD6XJ Robert
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Hi Allen,
I've got a lot of "life" going on now, as I'm sure you do with your relocation. We're looking into building an ADU to have a parent live close, for health/medical reasons. I'd like to send my RTG to you but I don't know when I'll find the time. I thought I had your email from my AIO purchase but can't find it in my contacts (probably buried in an ebay msg?) . My call at ARRL.net is good, no rush, it seems I can go 1.5 months between filling my gas tank these days-- so APRS isn't used as often as when I was commuting to/from work.
I hope your move went smooth and all the benefits you'd hoped for came to fruition.
73 AD6XJ Robert
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Hi Terry,
?
? I recommend people use a terminal program to configure the TinyTrak4.? The old config program can be found here: ?
?
Byon
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I have looked around and haven't been able to locate the Configuration software.
?
I have only found for the TT3
?
Thanks
Terry
N6AJ
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This was sent to me and I thought it might be useful for the Apple-People amongst you.
I thought this might be helpful for others with setups similar to mine. ?I have a MacBook Pro with M1 (ARM architecture) processor and run Windows 11 (ARM) in a Parallels virtual machine.
I received my new Micro-Trak AIO-4 today, and though I failed to buy batteries/charger ahead of time, at least wanted to check/modify the programming. ?I downloaded the FTDI Win11/ARM drivers from the FTDI website but simply could not get them to install following the instructions provided by FTDI (manual install) ¡ª Windows says, unhelpfully, only that it could not install the driver for my device.
After messing around with this for about an hour - plugging/unplugging, rebooting, redownloading, rereading instructions, googling, etc. - I stumbled on something super simple that actually worked:
- After downloading and extracting the driver files for Win11 on ARM processors from the FTDI website, extract the files.
- Navigate to the directory with the ARM drivers.
- Right-click on the FTDIBUS.INF file, choose ¡°Show more options¡±, choose ¡°Install¡±.
- Right-click on the FTDIPORT.INF file, choose ¡°Show more options, choose ¡°Install¡±.
TT USB immediately showed up in Device Manager as COM3, and TinyTrak config tool worked perfectly.
BTW, the web browser configurator for the MicroFox (I have a 15) is slick - on same MacBook, just download Chrome and DONE.
Thanks for making cool stuff.
Mike K4ZEC
73,
Allen AF6OF
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Not sure the part number, but can comment on a few things:
1. TinyTrak forum is more of a "Byonics" product forum.
? ? You will find postings for any Byonics product here - so no problem asking about the MF15S.
2.? Maybe Allen AF6OF (who frequency this group) can get the info and post it for you.
3. If you are planning on using the device very soon, the pins look like they may be through hole.
? ? It might be just as quick to remove the connector and direct solder wires with any convenient connector
? ? (say a 9V battery connector if that is what you plan on using).? You can always swap to the connector when you get the info.
4. Seems right after the ARRL convention (TDIM), many vendors either take time off to recover, and/or get VERY busy and need to catch up.
-------
Robert Giuliano
KB8RCO
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Clint,
I responded to your eMail and asked you for your mailing address so I can send you a new connector. You won't find it at Digikey. It is a PCB mount knock-off connector?for the Molex 5005 battery connectors, and Molex for some strange reason does not make them, and so I get them from a supplier in China who custom makes them.
73,
Allen AF6OF
Can I ask a non-APRS device question here??
I¡¯m helping a local educator who received a Micro-Fox MF-15S v2.7 at the 2023 ARRL Teachers Institute and my email to Byonics support went unanswered. Did I catch those guys on vacation?
.
When we went to set up her device, I noticed one of the pins on the battery connector J2 on the board was missing. Anyone know a part number for that connector so that I can order a replacement from DigiKey?
Thanks?
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Can I ask a non-APRS device question here??
I¡¯m helping a local educator who received a Micro-Fox MF-15S v2.7 at the 2023 ARRL Teachers Institute and my email to Byonics support went unanswered. Did I catch those guys on vacation?
.
When we went to set up her device, I noticed one of the pins on the battery connector J2 on the board was missing. Anyone know a part number for that connector so that I can order a replacement from DigiKey?
Thanks?
|
Robert,
Several ideas come to mind. If you can't get it going, just send it to me and I will test it for you, and fix it if humanly possible. FYI, I am in Missouri now, so don't send it to Byon in Arizona or my old address in Napa, California.
73,
Allen AF6OF
Thank you Allen. The GPS5 blue comes on steady at power on then blinks continuous after <1 minute but the green LEDs on the MT-RTG FA nor on either of my TT3+ (8/19/05) & (v2 rev F) ever get a green light at all using the GPS5. I know the hunt for the elusive green light all too well! I finally did get ublox neo-7M modules to communicate with the TT3+s via a MAX 232 "hw044" module, that green light was a delight! Unfortunately that combo doesn't work on the MT-RTG :-( Oddly, and I don't know if it is relevant, the GPS5 did work on a friend's very old TT3 (no plus) just a few days ago, even though that GPS5 was the one from my dead MT-RTG. Maybe I'll have him bring that unit back to test.
I had a typo in my original post-- USB green went to DB9-2 and white to DB9-3, basically skipping the TT USB adapter and null modem.
Thank you again for all your help and everyone else for listening;-)
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Thank you Allen. The GPS5 blue comes on steady at power on then blinks continuous after <1 minute but the green LEDs on the MT-RTG FA nor on either of my TT3+ (8/19/05) & (v2 rev F) ever get a green light at all using the GPS5. I know the hunt for the elusive green light all too well! I finally did get ublox neo-7M modules to communicate with the TT3+s via a MAX 232 "hw044" module, that green light was a delight! Unfortunately that combo doesn't work on the MT-RTG :-( Oddly, and I don't know if it is relevant, the GPS5 did work on a friend's very old TT3 (no plus) just a few days ago, even though that GPS5 was the one from my dead MT-RTG. Maybe I'll have him bring that unit back to test.
I had a typo in my original post-- USB green went to DB9-2 and white to DB9-3, basically skipping the TT USB adapter and null modem.
Thank you again for all your help and everyone else for listening;-)
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Robert,
When the GPS is plugged in, do you get a flashing green LED (segment) and if so, if you leave it on, does the green LED light solidly? If the green LED never flashes at all, except for the Start up packet ( Which will NOT show up on aprs.fi ) your GPS is probably dead or has a bad connection. The communications with your computer for configuration are set by the TT3 Config program, irrespective of how your port settings are otherwise set, at 4800,N, 8 and 1. Connecting to a USB-to-serial adapter generally requires a null modem adapter, which will essentially reverse pins 2 and 3 ( TX an RX) to make your computer look like a GPS, or a peripheral device instead of a host.?
Trying to torture your RTG with experimental connections and terminal programs runs the risk of corrupting the firmware, which may require re-flashing the RTG. Since the LED is flashing in the manner described, and it is transmitting a start-up packet, the PIC and the software are probably fine. GPS receivers can lose their memories, and sometimes their lives, when they are not plugged in and powered occasionally. If you can't see an LED on the GPS, or the green LED does nothing after powering the unit, on, your GPS is probably unwell.?
73,
Allen AF6OF
I've begun to have my 3-4 yr old MT-RTG FA to fail to be seen by my local digipeaters. I am trying to connect it to the TT3 config v1.4 to check the programming and to "see" if the processor is still alive. When I power up I get 2 green blinks and 1 red led blink and I can hear it send a packet on a local receiver (MT-RTG FA into dummy load) [I have NOT tested if packet is valid by viewing with my FT5D yet]. I am trying to connect to my confuser using the blue USB to serial adapter connected to the DB9 interface cable as follows; Bk-5, R-4, W-4, G-3 (I have swapped W & G several times). My Q. now is-- what bps (baud), data bits, parity, stop bits, & flow control should my port settings be in order for my confuser to talk to the TT3 software & the MT-RTG FA hardware?
Thanks in advance for any guidance,
Robert AD6XJ
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I've begun to have my 3-4 yr old MT-RTG FA to fail to be seen by my local digipeaters. I am trying to connect it to the TT3 config v1.4 to check the programming and to "see" if the processor is still alive. When I power up I get 2 green blinks and 1 red led blink and I can hear it send a packet on a local receiver (MT-RTG FA into dummy load) [I have NOT tested if packet is valid by viewing with my FT5D yet]. I am trying to connect to my confuser using the blue USB to serial adapter connected to the DB9 interface cable as follows; Bk-5, R-4, W-4, G-3 (I have swapped W & G several times). My Q. now is-- what bps (baud), data bits, parity, stop bits, & flow control should my port settings be in order for my confuser to talk to the TT3 software & the MT-RTG FA hardware?
Thanks in advance for any guidance,
Robert AD6XJ
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Re: One Blue Light On TT4
The Yellow LED will light/flicker as it receives audio.? This is an indication of whether there is a audio (RF) signal coming in to decode.
You don't give any information on the radio Aud_In / Aud_Out connection (like mic port / spkr or data port), but (as Lynn says) if there is 'NO' Yellow LED activity, the audio is not getting from the radio to the TT4 in a means it can decode it.? If using "controlled" audio, Volume is the first place to look but another possibility is Squelch.? After that, broken wire on J1 Pin 5 (Audio In) on the Radio / Power jack
The TT4 will transmit without issue because in either case (low volume or closed squelch), the TT4 doesn't hear signals that could prevent it from transmitting.
-------
Robert Giuliano
KB8RCO
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Re: One Blue Light On TT4
If you're not getting any Yellow
lights and you're sure the connected audio source (radio) is
receiving packets, then you might need to check the radio's
volume control or the RXAMP setting.
Lynn (D) - KJ4ERJ - Author of APRSISCE for Windows Mobile and
Win32
On 4/25/2024 12:14 AM, Rob Giuliano via
groups.io wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I believe the Blue LED is
power.
Red - TX
Yellow - Carrier Detect
Green - GPS
On Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 07:32:03 PM EDT, AB9NN -
Jon Kreski <jkreski@...> wrote:
This while at rest.? My
iGate is not processing APRS packets.? Is the blue light a
problem indicator?
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Re: One Blue Light On TT4
I believe the Blue LED is power. Red - TX Yellow - Carrier Detect
Green - GPS
On Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 07:32:03 PM EDT, AB9NN - Jon Kreski <jkreski@...> wrote:
This while at rest.? My iGate is not processing APRS packets.? Is the blue light a problem indicator?
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Re: Anybody have a writeup on converting a TT3 to a TT3+ ?
Not really a writeup.? See photos!   Remove J7 (Solder Bridge) Solder 7805 to J1 Connect 7805 IN to J1 Pin7 Connect 7805 Gnd to J1 Pin6 Connect 7805 OUT to J2 Pin4 Dennis VK4ZDS
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Anybody have a writeup on converting a TT3 to a TT3+ ?
A few people in the local ham club are getting interested in putting trackers on a few
event vehicles (foot race and bicycle race sag wagons and similar).
I've been hoarding a few TT3s and a couple of GPS18s and was going to donate them
but they will have to be upgraded to power the GPS18LVC (which needs 5vDC in at about 60ma).
Before I reinvent the wheel does anybody have a writeup on converting a TT3 to a TT3+ ?
Something like a photo of the PC board with an arrow point at the trace to cut and instructions
on where to put the regulator and what traces to connect it to, etc, etc, etc.
Thanks in advance
Mike
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Re: MTT4B equivalent available?
> Hoping I can find a small lockable box with fan ventilation that I can put it all in so it looks a bit nicer to the casual observer
Stop by the local military surplus store (or gun store) and look at a 30 cal ammo can.
Hit it with some spray paint and then a stencil with some kind of a label... a group
name, your callsign, the word "TRACKER", or whatever you want...
Mike
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Excellent Robert!? Thanks for your quick response and research.? I've now been able to reprogram it with the latest Alpha V0.72.
(BTW the chip is the older 644)
--
Richard KK6RJR
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V4.05 is a VERY OLD firmware.? I believe that version is "Tracker Only" (no KISS mode)
That means the Chip is Atmega 644 (not Atmega 1228).
I found a TT4TrackerConfig.exe for V4.07, but I recommend you just reprogram it with the latest Alpha V0.72. The instructions are here:
No reason to save the current state, just update, run <RESTORE> to get the settings to factory settings for the new firmware (IMPORTANT!!). Then make the changes you want and save a copy.
Or you could use TinyTrak4AlphaConfigv0.68.exe file to upload the v0.72 firmware, and then reset it, <RESTORE>, and make changes as you desire.
On Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 02:40:54 AM EDT, Richard KK6RJR <richard.rodriguez@...> wrote:
Robert,
I¡¯m new to the group after receiving several TT4 devices, and I am in the process of getting them ready for addition to our ARES go bags using the process you describe to modify settings.?
?
My question is with an older TT4, which I received from a Silent Key that I believe is about 10-years old. Using the same cables from the newer TT4¡¯s and software settings, my terminal program responds with a ¡°?¡± but nothing else follows unlike the newer devices.??Experimenting by switching the baud rate from 19200 to 4800 my terminal program responds with ¡°TinyTrak4 v4.05¡±. In both situations, there is no response to any keyboard input?
?
Do you have any idea what may be causing this?
Thanks?
-- Richard KK6RJR
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Clint Miller
Richard KK6RJR