Difference between revisions of "HAB Tracker Station"

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{{Project
 
{{Project
 
  |Name=HAB Tracker Station
 
  |Name=HAB Tracker Station
  |Status=In progress
+
  |Status=Completed
  |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.  
 +
This information is processed for the [http://spacenear.us/tracker/ spacenear.us] map
  
 
== Overview ==
 
== Overview ==
[[File:RevSpaceHABtracker.png|500px]]
+
[[File:RevSpaceHABtracker.png|800px]]
  
 
== 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
+
* Antenna: Diamond X-50N
* 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!'''
+
* Windows XP, hostname "habtracker", IP 10.42.44.94 (MAC 00:21:70:02:62:0f)
* 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)
+
** Start the machine with a magic WoL packet: 'wakeonlan -i 10.42.255.255 00:21:70:02:62:0f; ping habtracker'
* gqrx to listen to audio --> '''works!'''
+
** VNC: geheim ;-)
* 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>
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* Teamviewer ID: 675540724
revspace@habraspi:~$ rtl_tcp -a 10.42.43.20
 
 
 
Found 1 device(s).
 
Found Fitipower FC0013 tuner
 
 
 
Using ezcap USB 2.0 DVB-T/DAB/FM dongle
 
</code>
 
 
 
[[File:Finaltestonpi.png|800px]]
 
 
 
== The roof ==
 
* Currently there is no lightning protection installed. We need to figure out how we are going to ground the antenna.
 
* PoE seems doable, also makes it easy to restart the setup.
 
* Penetrating the roof would increase the risk of any leakage
 
** Our best option is to guide the UTP-cable down the drainpipe, in a separate PVC-pipe.
 
 
 
=== Shit just got real ===
 
<code>18:13 < foobar> Maxell: had xander gevraagd over die plaatsing van een antenne, is geen probleem, mits netjes aangelegd/afgewerkt</code>
 
<code>18:13 < foobar> je kan eventueel bij de zonne-collector naar binnen, daar is al een kabelgoot o.i.d.</code>
 
<code>18:13 < foobar> komt uit in de wc's boven, kan dan door naar de meterkast, en vanaf daar zijn al ducts naar beneden/kelder</code>
 
 
 
Getting cables inside the building has huge advantages!
 
* Not limited to PoE
 
** We feed 230v mains as high as we can, yet keep the last bit 5v DC.
 
*** So it's more efficient!
 
** Less heat dissipation inside the enclosure on the roof.
 
*** So why bother cooling that box?
 
* Getting some proper ground connection is now very easy and cheap.
 
* Looks much better
 
* More vandal-proof
 
 
 
=== The roof from inside ===
 
No obvious cable ducts, there seems to be an open ventilation pipe.
 
  
 
== Todo ==
 
== Todo ==
* Currently we have no antenna. Well need some heavy duty (directional?) antenna.
+
=== Hardware ===
** Do we make one or do we buy one?
+
* See if disconnect PC-ground from the antenna ground inproves noise figure
** 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
+
* Moar ferrite
** How do we mount it? Something like this:
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* Metal box for some shielding (DIY or be lazy and get something like [http://dutchrfshop.nl/behuizingen.html] or [http://www.velleman.eu/products/list/?id=344206])
http://i.imgur.com/X3xsd.jpg
 
  
with tiles in the corners to weigh it down
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== 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
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=== 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 decoding on dedicated machine tests
* Obtain 48v PoE injector, make 48v-5v power regulator for inside enclosure:
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File:IMAG0857.jpg|We are not using the Raspberry Pi anymore for rtl-tcp
** <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 ==
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=== Deel 2 ===
<pre>
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<gallery>
09:53 < costyn> so guys, how do you ground your antenna's? what the consensus on lightning arrestors?
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File:YJkKJx3.png|We took out the Raspberry Pi. We still use the enclosure for the rtl-sdr dongle and HABamp
09:56 < fsphil> there's so little lightning here I don't bother
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File:MQWEHh1.png|Coax entering
09:57 < costyn> hmm
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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  
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File:RzGxD7t.png|Look at the beautiful stainless steel bolts!
                owners that it's safe
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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
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File:XOABzL1.png
10:20 < costyn> define thick?
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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 16:05, 28 September 2013

Project HAB Tracker Station
Status Completed
Contact User:Costyn_van_Dongen, Maxell, Bertrik_Sikken
Last Update 2013-09-28

Project page for the high altitude balloon tracking/listening station have set up in the space. This information is processed for the spacenear.us map

Overview

800px

Done

Hardware

  • "ezcap USB 2.0 DVB-T/DAB/FM" dongle (RTL2838U, Fitipower FC0013 tuner)
  • VK5QI HABamp
  • Antenna: Diamond X-50N

Software

  • Windows XP, hostname "habtracker", IP 10.42.44.94 (MAC 00:21:70:02:62:0f)
    • Start the machine with a magic WoL packet: 'wakeonlan -i 10.42.255.255 00:21:70:02:62:0f; ping habtracker'
    • VNC: geheim ;-)
  • Teamviewer ID: 675540724

Todo

Hardware

  • See if disconnect PC-ground from the antenna ground inproves noise figure
  • Moar ferrite
  • Metal box for some shielding (DIY or be lazy and get something like [1] or [2])

Pics

Derping around with hardware

Deel 1

Deel 2