Intended for use on phones, this is an Android app that performs the most important functions needed when chasing a balloon:
- Receives GPS location from phone and uploads to Habitat server
- Receives tracker telemetry and uploads to Habitat server
- Shows distance and direction to balloon
- Shows balloon and phone on a map
- Provides driving directions to the balloon
- Uploads received image data (SSDV)
- Support for up to 3 payloads
Currently, the software can receive telemetry from these sources:
- LoRa receiver connected via USB (requires USB OTG support)
- Habitat (requires internet connection)
Future versions will include support for these sources:
- LoRa receiver connected via Bluetooth
- Various sources (auto_rx for Sondes, HABDEC for RTTY) connected via WiFi
Other possible future enhancements:
- Support for ad-hoc LoRa settings
- Support for LoRa calling mode
- Support for HABPack format
- LoRa AFC
For this you will need to a suitable LoRa receiver with USB serial connection, for example:
- Uputronics USB LoRa receiver (TBA)
- Adafruit Feather LoRa
- Arduino Mini Pro plus LoRa module plus USB programmer (with FTDI or Prolific chip)
and a USB OTG cable to connect to your phone.
Whichever you choose, it will need to be programmed with this firmware << LINK
Install from the Google Play store or a supplied .APK file.
When you connect the USB receiver, Android will prompt for which app to associate the device with; choose this app so that Android starts it automatically when you connect the receiver.
Start the app, then touch the Settings button. You will then see ....
Frequency: This sets the frequency for LoRa module.
Mode: Sets the "mode" for the LoRa module, which is one of:
0 = (normal for telemetry) Explicit mode, Error coding 4:8, Bandwidth 20.8kHz, SF 11, Low data rate optimize on
1 = (normal for SSDV) Implicit mode, Error coding 4:5, Bandwidth 20.8kHz, SF 6, Low data rate optimize off
2 = (normal for repeater) Explicit mode, Error coding 4:8, Bandwidth 62.5kHz, SF 8, Low data rate optimize off
3 = (normal for fast SSDV) Explicit mode, Error coding 4:6, Bandwidth 250kHz, SF 7, Low data rate optimize off
4 = Test mode not for normal use.
5 = (normal for calling mode) Explicit mode, Error coding 4:8, Bandwidth 41.7kHz, SF 11, Low data rate optimize off. Calling mode not currently supported.
6 =
7 = (normal for Telnet mode)
First Public Release