HAB Tracker Station: Difference between revisions

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== Overview ==
== Overview ==
[[File:RevSpaceHABtracker.png|1000px]]
[[File:RevSpaceHABtracker.png|800px]]


== Done ==
== Done ==
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* Raspberry Pi (+ power supply)
* Raspberry Pi (+ power supply)
* Antenna: Diamond X-50N
* 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 ===
* 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.
* Raspbian: revspace/geheim
** IP: 10.42.43.20
** SSH: revspace/geheim
* running rtl_tcp on port 1234 (default)
** Make sure you are on a wired connection, or else latency will ruin everything
 
----


== Todo ==
== Todo ==
=== Hardware ===
=== Hardware ===
* Earth the antenna, to prevent static buildup
* Earth the antenna, to prevent static buildup
* Install the HABamp
* Test other DVB-T sticks, the mini-R820T could be interesting
* Moar ferrite
* Moar ferrite
* Metal box for some shielding (DIY or [http://dutchrfshop.nl/behuizingen.html])
* 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=344199])
* If P2000 remains a problem: coaxial stub filter would be a good solution


=== Software ===
=== Software ===
* Setting up a virtual machine with gqrx and dl-fldigi.
* Setting up a (virtual?) machine with gqrx and dl-fldigi.
** Blokje told us we could use his machine for permanent setup
** Blokje told us we could use his machine for permanent setup
*** This requires us to move the [[SpaceSoundSystem]] towards something like a Cubieboard
*** 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
**** 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!
** $$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])
== Grounding ==
<pre>
<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
</pre>


== Pics ==
== Pics ==

Revision as of 21:38, 15 March 2013

Project HAB Tracker Station
Status In progress
Contact User:Costyn_van_Dongen, Maxell, Bertrik_Sikken
Last Update 2013-03-15

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

Overview

File:RevSpaceHABtracker.png

Done

Hardware

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

Software

  • Raspbian: revspace/geheim
    • IP: 10.42.43.20
    • SSH: revspace/geheim
  • running rtl_tcp on port 1234 (default)
    • Make sure you are on a wired connection, or else latency will ruin everything

Todo

Hardware

  • Earth the antenna, to prevent static buildup
  • Moar ferrite
  • Metal box for some shielding (DIY or be lazy and get something like [1] or [2])

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


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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