HAB Tracker Station: Difference between revisions

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(Huge cleanup. Decided not to keep any old information up, even if it shows how much brainstorming we put in it.)
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== 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)
* 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!'''
* rtl_tcp on RasPi over the network --> '''works!''' (1024000 samples/second seems to go fine when both are on a wired connection)
* 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)
* VNC performance with gqrx and dl-fldigi --> '''usable with JPEG compression and 8 bits of color'''
* 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 ===
* Antenna: Costyn found a Diamond X-50N on Marktplaats. Looks promising.
* Get a nice case that will fit the Raspi, ezcap dongle, HABamp and the "SMA <--> N-type" connector.
* Get some sort of antenna mount something like ''(Ask Gori/TSL)''
<center>http://i.imgur.com/X3xsd.jpg</center>


Found 1 device(s).
=== Software ===
Found Fitipower FC0013 tuner
* Setting up a virtual machine with gqrx and dl-fldigi.
 
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 ===
=== 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>
<pre><foobar> Maxell: had xander gevraagd over die plaatsing van een antenne, is geen probleem, mits netjes aangelegd/afgewerkt
<code>18:13 < foobar> je kan eventueel bij de zonne-collector naar binnen, daar is al een kabelgoot o.i.d.</code>
<foobar> je kan eventueel bij de zonne-collector naar binnen, daar is al een kabelgoot o.i.d.
<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>
<foobar> komt uit in de wc's boven, kan dan door naar de meterkast, en vanaf daar zijn al ducts naar beneden/kelder</pre>
 
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 ==
* Currently we have no antenna. Well need some heavy duty (directional?) antenna.
** Do we make one or do we buy one?
** 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
** How do we mount it? Something like this:
http://i.imgur.com/X3xsd.jpg
 
with tiles in the corners to weigh it down
* 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
** How do we deal with heat in the box in the summer?
* Paint it white, put it in the shade of the sun collector. I don't think we need active heat exchange.
* Obtain 48v PoE injector, make 48v-5v power regulator for inside enclosure:
** <s>http://tweakers.net/pricewatch/288179/tp-link-tl-poe150s.html  (injector)</s> We could use the main PoE switch for this.
** http://tweakers.net/pricewatch/280388/tp-link-poe-splitter-tl-poe10r.html  (splitter) (or any other IEEE 802.3af compliant splitter)
* Your ideas, we love them!


=== '''OMG! HUGE SUCCESS!''' ===
The old geyser's ventilation pipe is still penetrating the roof. Cat5e UTP and 230v at your fingertips.
It looks like we don't need to put our setup on the roof anymore, '''just the antenna'''! The enclosure we are going to use doesn't need to battle mother nature anymore, easy replacement if something breaks, etc, etc.


== Grounding ==
== Grounding ==
<pre>
<pre>
09:53 < costyn> so guys, how do you ground your antenna's? what the consensus on lightning arrestors?
<costyn> so guys, how do you ground your antenna's? what the consensus on lightning arrestors?
09:56 < fsphil> there's so little lightning here I don't bother
<fsphil> there's so little lightning here I don't bother
09:57 < costyn> hmm
<costyn> hmm
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  
<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
                owners that it's safe
<SpeedEvil> you need to ground to a separate rod, with a straight cable to it
10:18 < SpeedEvil> you need to ground to a separate rod, with a straight cable to it
<SpeedEvil> thick insulated cable
10:20 < SpeedEvil> thick insulated cable
<costyn> define thick?
10:20 < 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
10:29 < 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.
10:29 < griffonbot> Received email: NickB "[UKHAS] Re: DL-FLDIGI question"
<gonzo_> your typical short colinear is possibly going to be DC short between the centre and braid anyway. (You can test with a DVM)
10:31 < gonzo_> most lightening arrestors are really just spark gap's, that allow some high voltage coming down the centre of the coax, to  
<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
                jump to the outer.
<costyn> gonzo_: it'll be a short one yea, Diamond X-50 likely
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)
<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
10:34 < 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  
<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)
                the existing roof profile? So will not be any greater risk of lightening than anything else
<costyn> it's basically a flat roof with some outlets for hvac  
10:34 < costyn> gonzo_: it'll be a short one yea, Diamond X-50 likely
<costyn> so no existing metal work. we're thinking of using/making a stand with metal weighted down with tiles
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  
<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
                trees around
<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
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  
</pre>
                the building anyway (or at least the owners metalwork)
 
10:35 < costyn> it's basically a flat roof with some outlets for hvac  
=== Pics ===
10:36 < costyn> so no existing metal work. we're thinking of using/making a stand with metal weighted down with tiles
[[File:Finaltestonpi.png|400px]]
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 14:26, 27 January 2013

Project HAB Tracker Station
Status In progress
Contact User:Costyn_van_Dongen, Maxell, Bertrik_Sikken
Last Update 2013-01-27

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

Overview

File:RevSpaceHABtracker.png

Done

Hardware

Software

  • rtl_tcp on RasPi over the network --> works! (1024000 samples/second seems to go fine when both are on a wired connection)
  • VNC performance with gqrx and dl-fldigi --> usable with JPEG compression and 8 bits of color

Todo

Hardware

  • Antenna: Costyn found a Diamond X-50N on Marktplaats. Looks promising.
  • Get a nice case that will fit the Raspi, ezcap dongle, HABamp and the "SMA <--> N-type" connector.
  • Get some sort of antenna mount something like (Ask Gori/TSL)
http://i.imgur.com/X3xsd.jpg

Software

  • Setting up a virtual machine with gqrx and dl-fldigi.

Shit just got real

<foobar> Maxell: had xander gevraagd over die plaatsing van een antenne, is geen probleem, mits netjes aangelegd/afgewerkt
<foobar> je kan eventueel bij de zonne-collector naar binnen, daar is al een kabelgoot o.i.d.
<foobar> komt uit in de wc's boven, kan dan door naar de meterkast, en vanaf daar zijn al ducts naar beneden/kelder

OMG! HUGE SUCCESS!

The old geyser's ventilation pipe is still penetrating the roof. Cat5e UTP and 230v at your fingertips. It looks like we don't need to put our setup on the roof anymore, just the antenna! The enclosure we are going to use doesn't need to battle mother nature anymore, easy replacement if something breaks, etc, etc.

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

Finaltestonpi.png

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