Unsigned.IO Forum

LZ1PPL

Member

Registered: 2014-12-22

Posts: 13

Micro APRS Tracker.

Hi all,

The post of Taner DB1NTO has inspired me to do my one APRS tracker.
I have made the tracker using Mark's LibAPRS.

Here is what i have done till now.

Im using the code i have posted on Github https://github.com/LZ1PPL/VSTv2/blob/master/VSTv2.ino

I have made some tests. The tracker sends position whiteout any problem. The smart-beacon works like a charm.

The only problem that i have is that i cant decode any APRS massages that I'm receiving.
When i use this code: https://github.com/LZ1PPL/VSTv2/blob/master/Recive.ino
I'm seeing the received massages on the Oled display. So the problem is not on the hardware side. The problem is probably something on my code that i can not see. If anyone find a solution i will be really thankful.

Update:
The sketch in GitHub is updated.
Now the tracker sends and decodes packages.
The readVCC function is removed for now.

73 de LZ1PPL
Plamen

Last edited by LZ1PPL (2015-09-18 21:09:54)

Stanley

Member

From: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Registered: 2014-12-01

Posts: 65

Website

Re: Micro APRS Tracker.

LZ1PPL

Good work on the PCB with the radio..

I saw snippets of my codes here and there...

The only thing I "suspect" is that the GPS / Serial.available() input is taking up all the time and left no time for  processPacket() to run ... ( I'm not so sure about the priority of the pins ... )

I suggest the following tests :-

1. Why don't you try to get GPS position once every like 2 or 3 secs ??

2. Put  processPacket() at the top ?

3. Remove all delays() to smartDelays() functions from tinyGPS+

Run the tests and let us knows the results...

Good luck

9W2SVT / KG7OOY

---

Stanley
9W2SVT/ N5SVT
http://9W2SVT.blogspot.com

LZ1PPL

Member

Registered: 2014-12-22

Posts: 13

Re: Micro APRS Tracker.

Hi all,
Thank you for the suggestion.
Stanly actually you was on the right track, but the problem was in the readVCC function. When i disable it i start to receive packets. Now i have some small problem whit the overflow of the ram memory but i hope i will solve this fast. I hope that i will have time this weekend and will work on that. When i have working solution i will update the sketch in Github.

Thanks again for you suggestions.

73 de LZ1PPL
Plamen

LZ1PPL

Member

Registered: 2014-12-22

Posts: 13

Re: Micro APRS Tracker.

I have updated the sketch in GitHub. The tracker works fine now. It decodes packages whiteout any problem. But i have removed the readVCC function for now.
Here is one small post i have write about this project: http://www.lz1ppl.com/2015/09/micro-aprs-tracker/

5B4ALR

Member

Registered: 2015-08-30

Posts: 4

Re: Micro APRS Tracker.

LZ1PPL,
There must be something I don't understand. On lines 268, 269, says the same thing. And IDE says: " 'APRS_sendStat' was not declared in this scope" . I changed it with 'APRS_sendMsg' and I uploaded it. Shows only GPS info. No incoming packets. Any suggestions?
Thanks, and thank you for your contribution to the.... sport!
Stelios,
5B4ALR

LZ1PPL

Member

Registered: 2014-12-22

Posts: 13

Re: Micro APRS Tracker.

On lines 268, 269, says the same thing. And IDE says: " 'APRS_sendStat' was not declared in this scope" .

Ok that was my mistake. I have changed the LibAPRS a little bit so it can send also status massages, and i forgot about it.
I have removed that from the sketch.
About receiving packets. I have no problem at all now. Here where i live i receive about 1-2 packets per second.

Last edited by LZ1PPL (2015-10-04 17:09:20)

5B4ALR

Member

Registered: 2015-08-30

Posts: 4

Re: Micro APRS Tracker.

Ok, I will try it again. Maybe this change on LibAPRS and the way I used to by-pass it, caused the problem!
Did you change other things on LibAPRS?
Do you know if there is a way to use LibAPRS for Kiss?
Thanks,
Stelios.