Author Topic: Alternative Radio board  (Read 4974 times)

aviator

Alternative Radio board
« on: September 03, 2015, 03:49:37 pm »
Hi there,


With great interest, I discovered PilotAware via a forum topic on SkyDemon.

I'm for sure going to build one :-)

I'm not a huge fan of ordering from China (huge lead times) and next to that I'm looking for some easier to get and implement modules (less tweaking)
The RF
Found a easy to read comparison chart of the RF modules at http://openmicros.org/index.php/entry/chart-comparing-the-various-radio-devices
The B023 - Slice of Radio looks appealing to me, since this suggest that it will easily slide on the Raspberry board. No soldering or flatcables required, right?
QUESTION 1: is my assumption correct that the B023 Slice of Radio can also be used (w/o the voltage modifacation boards etc etc
QUESTION 2: are software modifications required?
QUESTION 3: are there other radio's one can use? (USB 'dongle' transmitters: http://www.elektor.nl/srf-usb-stick-140404-91)

The SDR receiver
according to http://www.hamradioscience.com/rtl2832u-r820t-vs-rtl2832u-r820t2/2/  "So for ADSB, the R820T2 is the better dongle and would definitely worth replacing your older R820T if you are running an ADSB setup".
QUESTION 4: Does anybody have experience in using the NooElec http://www.nooelec.com/store/sdr/sdr-receivers/nesdr-mini2-rtl2832u-r820t2.html
QUESTION 5: Does this require modifications in the Raspbian software config as provided by Lee

Thank you in advance!

Robert

(any other pilots from The Netherlands on this forum? Maybe we can team on acquiring the stuff in NL)

Admin

Re: Alternative Radio board
« Reply #1 on: September 03, 2015, 04:30:18 pm »
Hi

Quote
QUESTION 1: is my assumption correct that the B023 Slice of Radio can also be used (w/o the voltage modifacation boards etc etc
The Slice of radio does not have the Power Amplifier, and therefore only produces 10mW output rather than the 500mW of the ARF
The low power is the same reason it does not need a 5v-3.3v regulator

Quote
QUESTION 2: are software modifications required?
Probably not, they are compatible in the programming, but the power level is intended for room to room communications

Quote
QUESTION 3: are there other radio's one can use? (USB 'dongle' transmitters: http://www.elektor.nl/srf-usb-stick-140404-91)
This would appear as a different device to the software, and hence would not be programmed.accessed accordingly

Quote
QUESTION 4: Does anybody have experience in using the NooElec http://www.nooelec.com/store/sdr/sdr-receivers/nesdr-mini2-rtl2832u-r820t2.html
QUESTION 5: Does this require modifications in the Raspbian software config as provided by Lee
Its untested, it sounds like the correct chipset, in which case should be expected to work, but with all these things the devil really is in the detail. Lots of vendors claim their WiFi dongles are the RT5370 chipset, but when used they behave differently, indicating they are not quite the correct chipset.
Although in this case, it does look like the correct version rtl2832u / r820t

Thx
Lee

aviator

Re: Alternative Radio board
« Reply #2 on: September 03, 2015, 08:20:29 pm »
Tnx Lee, for your swift reply.


1) I've just ordered the (high-power) ARF @wirelessthings
2) Also added the PowerPOD 1117 3v3 from wirelessthings (easy that I can acquire this from the same store, even bought two, so I can screw one up during soldering ;-)
3) ordered WiFi dongel RT5370 (looks exactly the same as on your pictures. Bought even two, so will prob. ask for two licenses ;-)
4) I've got the rtl2832u-r820t2

When I have everything working, I will report back on the results.

kindest regards

Robert