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General Discussion / My portable PilotAware just got a lot more portable!
« on: October 21, 2021, 10:37:53 pm »
This has made it loads better. Far fewer snags and hopefully I won't keep breaking the aerials with my headset bag now!
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General Discussion / Rosetta + Anker battery + on/off switch + eliminate microUSB
« on: November 21, 2020, 12:00:15 pm »
Just an idea of a modification for those who are happy with disassembly and soldering directly on to a board.
Don't attempt this if you are not completely happy as you are likely to damage the Pi.
I wanted to get rid of the micro USB sticking out of the side and also fit a power switch. This way I can leave the plug connected all the time.
The switch is a latching push-to-make that I have recessed into the case (bottom right of case) so it doesn’t get easily accidentally knocked.
The +ve is soldered onto PP2 on the Pi so that the supply is still protected but it's not the easiest to solder to. You could us one the many 5v feeds elsewhere on the 2 boards to make the soldering easier but then you miss the protection.
I put the -ve onto the HDMI shield as it had a decent size tab with few tracks close-by. Needs a hot iron with a suitably sized tip as the shield sinks the heat.
That switch isn't the most suitable as they are not rated as high as I would like but realistically should be ok. I drilled the hole to the larger collar size and then just used epoxy to stick it in. I've left enough wire so I can swap it if it causes any problems. It only just fits under the ADS-B adaptor and with hindsight the switch could have gone 1mm rearward which would have been better. Alternatively just move the USB plugs around (2 and 3 instead of 1 and 4). The push button only just protrudes from the side of the case so unlikely to get knocked but the oversize hole makes it easy to access when required.
I removed the 2 USB signal wires and sealed them up. I retained as much of the shielding as I could. I soldered a replacement 24AWG silicone wire onto the ground as this was easier to run. Lots of little bits of heatshrink to ensure nothing can short in there. The outer shrink is a glued one and the hole in the case is a tight fit. This keeps it nicely secure but I also added a cable tie to prevent pull-outs. 24gague silicone wire also from the switch to the Pi. (20 won't be necessary for this internal wiring and would be very difficult to solder to the tabs)
Oh and decent quality 3M double sided foam to stick the pack on - but not on the removable Rosetta cover so you can still get to the ports (just!)
Small mod that hopefully makes it much more simple to use.
UPDATE MARCH 2021
Cllick below link for a (possibly) unnecessary modification to improve GNSS reception when mounted upside down and with this battery pack attached.
Don't attempt this if you are not completely happy as you are likely to damage the Pi.
I wanted to get rid of the micro USB sticking out of the side and also fit a power switch. This way I can leave the plug connected all the time.
The switch is a latching push-to-make that I have recessed into the case (bottom right of case) so it doesn’t get easily accidentally knocked.
The +ve is soldered onto PP2 on the Pi so that the supply is still protected but it's not the easiest to solder to. You could us one the many 5v feeds elsewhere on the 2 boards to make the soldering easier but then you miss the protection.
I put the -ve onto the HDMI shield as it had a decent size tab with few tracks close-by. Needs a hot iron with a suitably sized tip as the shield sinks the heat.
That switch isn't the most suitable as they are not rated as high as I would like but realistically should be ok. I drilled the hole to the larger collar size and then just used epoxy to stick it in. I've left enough wire so I can swap it if it causes any problems. It only just fits under the ADS-B adaptor and with hindsight the switch could have gone 1mm rearward which would have been better. Alternatively just move the USB plugs around (2 and 3 instead of 1 and 4). The push button only just protrudes from the side of the case so unlikely to get knocked but the oversize hole makes it easy to access when required.
I removed the 2 USB signal wires and sealed them up. I retained as much of the shielding as I could. I soldered a replacement 24AWG silicone wire onto the ground as this was easier to run. Lots of little bits of heatshrink to ensure nothing can short in there. The outer shrink is a glued one and the hole in the case is a tight fit. This keeps it nicely secure but I also added a cable tie to prevent pull-outs. 24gague silicone wire also from the switch to the Pi. (20 won't be necessary for this internal wiring and would be very difficult to solder to the tabs)
Oh and decent quality 3M double sided foam to stick the pack on - but not on the removable Rosetta cover so you can still get to the ports (just!)
Small mod that hopefully makes it much more simple to use.
UPDATE MARCH 2021
Cllick below link for a (possibly) unnecessary modification to improve GNSS reception when mounted upside down and with this battery pack attached.
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General Discussion / Transmit location over GSM?
« on: February 26, 2019, 11:49:07 am »
Has this been discussed before? I can't find it on the forum but it seems like a logical evolution of the PA unit.
Install a cheap PAYG sim card and then set the PA unit to transmit location to a server and therefore allow us to track the aircraft in our fleet.
There are some very cheap dedicated units that will achieve this but it means doubling up on GNSS receiver and also on power supply. The PA unit is already doing this but with only the transmit part of the process missing - oh and something to receive the data at the other end of course.
Install a cheap PAYG sim card and then set the PA unit to transmit location to a server and therefore allow us to track the aircraft in our fleet.
There are some very cheap dedicated units that will achieve this but it means doubling up on GNSS receiver and also on power supply. The PA unit is already doing this but with only the transmit part of the process missing - oh and something to receive the data at the other end of course.
4
General Discussion / Post processing, viewing and converting .trk files for track analysis
« on: August 03, 2018, 11:19:34 am »
I was just wondering if I am missing some information on the forum and in the documentation. I have had a really good search around but cannot really find what I am looking for. I also thought that if it is not already done, it would be useful to have it all in one place. Here's what I have found out:
.trk files can be saved to a USB stick by plugging into PA and using the web interface to sync - however, windows does not always format USB drives correctly for this. Therefore format the stick using the SD card formatter used to format the SD card in the PA (as per the instructions)
In future releases, it will be possible to sync tracks using FTP just like we can with the update file.
The latest PA operating instructions say "A software tool is available on the PilotAware forum that can analyse this data if required. In essence it contains a complete record of your flight, including all traffic information received by PilotAware. This can be used to play back your flight using your chosen navigation package. It will not only show you where you went but who came close to you as well."
The former file is discussed and can be downloaded here: http://forum.pilotaware.com/index.php/topic,535.0.html
The latter part of this statement refers to re-sending the flight to your nav software as if it's flying. A replay simulation type thing.
I think a little more documentation on these would be useful.
GPS Visualizer (web based) cannot view the files. http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/
Route Converter works (I had to update my Java first): https://www.routeconverter.com/stable-releases/en
I have tried to include as many search terms in this thread and title as possible to help others.
Can anyone add anything to all this?
.trk files can be saved to a USB stick by plugging into PA and using the web interface to sync - however, windows does not always format USB drives correctly for this. Therefore format the stick using the SD card formatter used to format the SD card in the PA (as per the instructions)
In future releases, it will be possible to sync tracks using FTP just like we can with the update file.
The latest PA operating instructions say "A software tool is available on the PilotAware forum that can analyse this data if required. In essence it contains a complete record of your flight, including all traffic information received by PilotAware. This can be used to play back your flight using your chosen navigation package. It will not only show you where you went but who came close to you as well."
The former file is discussed and can be downloaded here: http://forum.pilotaware.com/index.php/topic,535.0.html
The latter part of this statement refers to re-sending the flight to your nav software as if it's flying. A replay simulation type thing.
I think a little more documentation on these would be useful.
GPS Visualizer (web based) cannot view the files. http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/
Route Converter works (I had to update my Java first): https://www.routeconverter.com/stable-releases/en
I have tried to include as many search terms in this thread and title as possible to help others.
Can anyone add anything to all this?
5
Technical Support / USB memory not recognised & update not showing - SOLVED
« on: June 01, 2018, 09:49:30 pm »
I just can't get the USB update to work and I can't figure out what I'm missing.
I tried it in the heli this afternoon in the baking heat and it wouldn't work so decided to bring it home and do it at my desk.
It's now plugged in with a decent cable to a good stable supply.
I have downloaded the latest update file to a 2Gb USB stick, not renamed the file and it is in the root directory with nothing else on the stick.
Stick connected to the update port (I've tried the GPS port as well)
USB settings all on auto with baud rate at 4800
I can connect to PA from Firefox (I've tried Chrome as well)
Click 'updates' tab and then 'check'
It says:
Checking for updates
/root/servers/check.sh: Error, Cannot access update details
Then goes back to the main screen - no software updates available
I have tried a different USB stick with the same result.
My current software version is 20180129 with valid license
I have also noticed that the USB stick is not recognised from the 'Track' page
any ideas?
andrew
I tried it in the heli this afternoon in the baking heat and it wouldn't work so decided to bring it home and do it at my desk.
It's now plugged in with a decent cable to a good stable supply.
I have downloaded the latest update file to a 2Gb USB stick, not renamed the file and it is in the root directory with nothing else on the stick.
Stick connected to the update port (I've tried the GPS port as well)
USB settings all on auto with baud rate at 4800
I can connect to PA from Firefox (I've tried Chrome as well)
Click 'updates' tab and then 'check'
It says:
Checking for updates
/root/servers/check.sh: Error, Cannot access update details
Then goes back to the main screen - no software updates available
I have tried a different USB stick with the same result.
My current software version is 20180129 with valid license
I have also noticed that the USB stick is not recognised from the 'Track' page
any ideas?
andrew
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