HAB Tracker Station: Difference between revisions

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  |Name=HAB Tracker Station
  |Name=HAB Tracker Station
  |Status=In progress
  |Status=In progress
  |Contact=User:Costyn_van_Dongen, Maxell, Bertrik
  |Contact=User:Costyn_van_Dongen, Maxell, Bertrik_Sikken
}}
}}


Project page for the high altitude balloon tracking/listening station we are setting up in the space.
Project page for the high altitude balloon tracking/listening station have set up in the space.


== Overview ==
== Overview ==
[[File:RevSpaceHABtracker.png|500px]]
[[File:RevSpaceHABtracker.png|1000px]]


== Done ==
== Done ==
=== Acquired Hardware ===
=== Hardware ===
* "ezcap USB 2.0 DVB-T/DAB/FM" dongle, RTL2838U, Fitipower FC0013 tuner, Supported gain values (23): -9.9 -7.3 -6.5 -6.3 -6.0 -5.8 -5.4 5.8 6.1 6.3 6.5 6.7 6.8 7.0 7.1 17.9 18.1 18.2 18.4 18.6 18.8 19.1 19.7
* "ezcap USB 2.0 DVB-T/DAB/FM" dongle (RTL2838U, Fitipower FC0013 tuner)
* VK5QI HABamp
* VK5QI HABamp
* Raspberry Pi
* Raspberry Pi (+ power supply)
* Antenna: Diamond X-50N
* Test payload, RFM22b sending RTTY strings on 434.250MHz. Code here: https://github.com/costyn/rfmtest/blob/master/rfmtest.pde
* Test payload, RFM22b sending RTTY strings on 434.250MHz. Code here: https://github.com/costyn/rfmtest/blob/master/rfmtest.pde


=== Software ===
=== Software ===
* Sending test payload --> '''works!'''
* The raspi running rtl_tcp can do around 2MS/s, and you can connect with it on habraspi.space.revspace.nl:1234. Make sure you use a wired connection, or else the latency and overall experience will be horrible.
* Sending data from rtl_tcp on RasPi over the network --> '''works!''' (1024000 samples/second seems to go fine when both are on a wired connection)
* gqrx to listen to audio --> '''works!'''
* dl-fldigi RTTY decoding --> '''works!'''
* Testing VNC performance with gqrx and dl-fldigi --> '''usable with JPEG compression and 8 bits of color'''
'''Todo'''
* Setting up a virtual machine with gqrx and dl-fldigi


<code>
== Todo ==
revspace@habraspi:~$ rtl_tcp -a 10.42.43.20
=== Hardware ===
* Install the HABamp
* Test other DVB-T sticks, the mini-R820T could be interesting.
* Moar ferrite


Found 1 device(s).
=== Software ===
Found Fitipower FC0013 tuner
* Setting up a virtual machine with gqrx and dl-fldigi.
** Blokje told us we could use his machine for permanent setup
*** This requires us to move the [[SpaceSoundSystem]] towards something like a Cubieboard
**** Preferred to setup a complete NAS at the same time, this idea has been floating around for a while too


Using ezcap USB 2.0 DVB-T/DAB/FM dongle
=== Problems we ran into ===
</code>
* As soon as the P2000 tower transmits, it looks like the Fitipower FC0013 overloads, even on lowest gain.
** If the HABamp doesn't fix this we need to test other tuners.


[[File:Finaltestonpi.png|800px]]


== The roof ==
=== '''OMG! HUGE SUCCESS!''' ===
* Currently there is no lightning protection installed. We need to figure out how we are going to ground the antenna.
* First radio signals have been heard at 16 Feb. 2013.
* POE seems doable, also makes it easy to restart the setup.
* The next day we tested Costyn's next payload: the Habanero!
* Penetrating the roof would increase the risk of any leakage
** $$HABANERO,41,15:09:39,52.0647,+4.3642,45,7,6,16,23,4.15*AE4C ([https://maps.google.nl/maps?q=52.0647,%2B4.3642&hl=en&ll=52.064739,4.364579&spn=0.00092,0.002642&sll=52.469397,5.509644&sspn=1.867323,5.410767&t=m&z=19&iwloc=near GPS location on Google Maps])
** Our best option is to guide the UTP-cable down the drainpipe, in a separate PVC-pipe.


== Todo ==
== Grounding ==
* Currently we have no antenna. Well need some heavy duty (directional?) antenna.  
<pre>
** Do we make one or do we buy one?
<costyn> so guys, how do you ground your antenna's? what the consensus on lightning arrestors?
** What kind of antenna? (keep in mind we only have line of sight towards south/southwest) http://www.handelsondernemingveenstra.nl/webwinkel/diamond-50-p-309.html
<fsphil> there's so little lightning here I don't bother
** How do we mount it? Something like this:
<costyn> hmm
http://i.imgur.com/X3xsd.jpg
<costyn> we're going to place an antenna on the roof of our hackerspace, but it's not our building and we'll have to convince the owners that it's safe
<SpeedEvil> you need to ground to a separate rod, with a straight cable to it
<SpeedEvil> thick insulated cable
<costyn> define thick?
<gonzo_> you are only going to be able to disipate static with earthing. very little you can do against a direct strike
<gonzo_> most lightening arrestors are really just spark gap's, that allow some high voltage coming down the centre of the coax, to jump to the outer.
<gonzo_> your typical short colinear is possibly going to be DC short between the centre and braid anyway. (You can test with a DVM)
<gonzo_> long colinears are not much of an advantage for HAB use, so I assume it will be a short one. So will not extend much above the existing roof profile? So will not be any greater risk of lightening than anything else
<costyn> gonzo_: it'll be a short one yea, Diamond X-50 likely
<costyn> gonzo_: and it'll raise some above the roof line, but it's not a high building (2 stories) and there's higher buildings and trees around
<gonzo_> not siure of your mounting options, but if mounted to existing metalwork up there, like handrains etc, it will be earthed to the building anyway (or at least the owners metalwork)
<costyn> it's basically a flat roof with some outlets for hvac
<costyn> so no existing metal work. we're thinking of using/making a stand with metal weighted down with tiles
<gonzo_> then an extra ground wire would prob be worth adding. If the building or roof is metal, then that could be an option to earth to, or as SpeedEvil said, an earthing rod
<costyn> ok. thanks for the advice. will see what we can do. not even sure if we're going to get permission to route the coax on the outside of the building, so we'll see
</pre>


with tiles in the corners to weigh it down
== Pics ==
* Find and buy IP56 enclosure: http://www.conrad.nl/ce/nl/product/531547/Hammond-Electronics-Kunststof-behuizing-IP66-1554KGY-ABS-kunststof-l-x-b-x-h-160-x-90-x-90-mm-Lichtgrijs-RAL-7035/SHOP_AREA_14740&promotionareaSearchDetail=005
=== Derping around with hardware ===
** How do we deal with heat in the box in the summer?
<gallery>
* Paint it white, put it in the shade of the sun collector. I don't think we need active heat exchange.
File:Finaltestonpi.png|One of the first payload tests
* Obtain 48v PoE injector, make 48v-5v power regulator for inside enclosure:  
File:IMAG0857.jpg
** <s>http://tweakers.net/pricewatch/288179/tp-link-tl-poe150s.html  (injector)</s> We could use the main PoE switch for this.
File:IMAG0860.jpg
** http://tweakers.net/pricewatch/280388/tp-link-poe-splitter-tl-poe10r.html  (splitter) (or any other IEEE 802.3af compliant splitter)
File:IMAG0864.jpg|The antenna: 'Diamond X-50N'
* Your ideas, we love them!
</gallery>


=== Deel 1 ===
<gallery>
File:Zonnecollector Frame 1.jpg|Coax will leave/enter the building trough the little chimney
File:UH4jTew.jpg|The ideal antenna mounting spot; the old zonnecollector
File:4vLbEty.jpg|Enclosure almost ready to rock
File:N2wnt9R.jpg|The magic pipe
File:8CEENu3.jpg|Almost the same as having the Raspi on the roof
File:Sdtd8bY.jpg|Power and network connected
File:LZVCxte.jpg
File:0r5ffXS.jpg|Not sure what happened with the other hole there
File:YRv3kUe.jpg|The smell was't that bad
File:Eqagifp.jpg|It pings!
File:WNtwDZG.jpg|The open pigtail even picks up our payload...
</gallery>


== Grounding ==
=== Deel 2 ===
<pre>
<gallery>
09:53 < costyn> so guys, how do you ground your antenna's? what the consensus on lightning arrestors?
File:YJkKJx3.png|Without the HABamp the USB cable is a bit short
09:56 < fsphil> there's so little lightning here I don't bother
File:MQWEHh1.png|Coax entering
09:57 < costyn> hmm
File:QvAsY3B.png|oh hi
09:58 < costyn> we're going to place an antenna on the roof of our hackerspace, but it's not our building and we'll have to convince the  
File:RzGxD7t.png|Look at the beautiful stainless steel bolts!
                owners that it's safe
File:LUsffcP.png|Oooooh!
10:18 < SpeedEvil> you need to ground to a separate rod, with a straight cable to it
File:4mcwHHD.png
10:20 < SpeedEvil> thick insulated cable
File:XOABzL1.png
10:20 < costyn> define thick?
File:SaZOJpU.png|The beauty
10:29 < gonzo_> you are only going to be able to disipate static with earthing. very little you can do against a direct strike
</gallery>
10:29 < griffonbot> Received email: NickB "[UKHAS] Re: DL-FLDIGI question"
10:31 < gonzo_> most lightening arrestors are really just spark gap's, that allow some high voltage coming down the centre of the coax, to
                jump to the outer.
10:32 < gonzo_> your typical short colinear is possibly going to be DC short between the centre and braid anyway. (You can test with a DVM)
10:34 < gonzo_> long colinears are not much of an advantage for HAB use, so I assume it will be a short one. So will not extend much above
                the existing roof profile? So will not be any greater risk of lightening than anything else
10:34 < costyn> gonzo_: it'll be a short one yea, Diamond X-50 likely
10:35 < costyn> gonzo_: and it'll raise some above the roof line, but it's not a high building (2 stories) and there's higher buildings and
                trees around
10:35 < gonzo_> not siure of your mounting options, but if mounted to existing metalwork up there, like handrains etc, it will be earthed to
                the building anyway (or at least the owners metalwork)
10:35 < costyn> it's basically a flat roof with some outlets for hvac
10:36 < costyn> so no existing metal work. we're thinking of using/making a stand with metal weighted down with tiles
10:39 < gonzo_> then an extra ground wire would prob be worth adding. If the building or roof is metal, then that could be an option to
                earth to, or as SpeedEvil said, an earthing rod
10:44 < costyn> ok. thanks for the advice. will see what we can do. not even sure if we're going to get permission to route the coax on the
                outside of the building, so we'll see</pre>

Revision as of 23:16, 17 February 2013

Project HAB Tracker Station
Status In progress
Contact User:Costyn_van_Dongen, Maxell, Bertrik_Sikken
Last Update 2013-02-17

Project page for the high altitude balloon tracking/listening station have set up in the space.

Overview

File:RevSpaceHABtracker.png

Done

Hardware

Software

  • The raspi running rtl_tcp can do around 2MS/s, and you can connect with it on habraspi.space.revspace.nl:1234. Make sure you use a wired connection, or else the latency and overall experience will be horrible.

Todo

Hardware

  • Install the HABamp
  • Test other DVB-T sticks, the mini-R820T could be interesting.
  • Moar ferrite

Software

  • Setting up a virtual machine with gqrx and dl-fldigi.
    • Blokje told us we could use his machine for permanent setup
      • This requires us to move the SpaceSoundSystem towards something like a Cubieboard
        • Preferred to setup a complete NAS at the same time, this idea has been floating around for a while too

Problems we ran into

  • As soon as the P2000 tower transmits, it looks like the Fitipower FC0013 overloads, even on lowest gain.
    • If the HABamp doesn't fix this we need to test other tuners.


OMG! HUGE SUCCESS!

  • First radio signals have been heard at 16 Feb. 2013.
  • The next day we tested Costyn's next payload: the Habanero!

Grounding

<costyn> so guys, how do you ground your antenna's? what the consensus on lightning arrestors?
<fsphil> there's so little lightning here I don't bother
<costyn> hmm
<costyn> we're going to place an antenna on the roof of our hackerspace, but it's not our building and we'll have to convince the owners that it's safe
<SpeedEvil> you need to ground to a separate rod, with a straight cable to it
<SpeedEvil> thick insulated cable
<costyn> define thick?
<gonzo_> you are only going to be able to disipate static with earthing. very little you can do against a direct strike
<gonzo_> most lightening arrestors are really just spark gap's, that allow some high voltage coming down the centre of the coax, to jump to the outer.
<gonzo_> your typical short colinear is possibly going to be DC short between the centre and braid anyway. (You can test with a DVM)
<gonzo_> long colinears are not much of an advantage for HAB use, so I assume it will be a short one. So will not extend much above the existing roof profile? So will not be any greater risk of lightening than anything else
<costyn> gonzo_: it'll be a short one yea, Diamond X-50 likely
<costyn> gonzo_: and it'll raise some above the roof line, but it's not a high building (2 stories) and there's higher buildings and trees around
<gonzo_> not siure of your mounting options, but if mounted to existing metalwork up there, like handrains etc, it will be earthed to the building anyway (or at least the owners metalwork)
<costyn> it's basically a flat roof with some outlets for hvac 
<costyn> so no existing metal work. we're thinking of using/making a stand with metal weighted down with tiles
<gonzo_> then an extra ground wire would prob be worth adding. If the building or roof is metal, then that could be an option to earth to, or as SpeedEvil said, an earthing rod
<costyn> ok. thanks for the advice. will see what we can do. not even sure if we're going to get permission to route the coax on the outside of the building, so we'll see

Pics

Derping around with hardware

  • One of the first payload tests

    One of the first payload tests

  • IMAG0857.jpg
  • IMAG0860.jpg
  • The antenna: 'Diamond X-50N'

    The antenna: 'Diamond X-50N'

Deel 1

  • Coax will leave/enter the building trough the little chimney

    Coax will leave/enter the building trough the little chimney

  • The ideal antenna mounting spot; the old zonnecollector

    The ideal antenna mounting spot; the old zonnecollector

  • Enclosure almost ready to rock

    Enclosure almost ready to rock

  • The magic pipe

    The magic pipe

  • Almost the same as having the Raspi on the roof

    Almost the same as having the Raspi on the roof

  • Power and network connected

    Power and network connected

  • LZVCxte.jpg
  • Not sure what happened with the other hole there

    Not sure what happened with the other hole there

  • The smell was't that bad

    The smell was't that bad

  • It pings!

    It pings!

  • The open pigtail even picks up our payload...

    The open pigtail even picks up our payload...

Deel 2

  • Without the HABamp the USB cable is a bit short

    Without the HABamp the USB cable is a bit short

  • Coax entering

    Coax entering

  • oh hi

    oh hi

  • Look at the beautiful stainless steel bolts!

    Look at the beautiful stainless steel bolts!

  • Oooooh!

    Oooooh!

  • 4mcwHHD.png
  • XOABzL1.png
  • The beauty

    The beauty

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