N2QDK-12

N2QDK-12 is a new APRS tracker project as of October 2008, using extra parts from older APRS projects. It is meant as a portable tracker, to be used when hiking (maybe a dog collar-sized tracker, idea thanks to Vlad). It looks like other people have tried dog collar GPS fun, but the real-time position reporting via RF makes it much more interesting to me, even if Garmin already has a commercial product to do the same thing, along with a hefty $800 pricetag.

I have a bunch of old APRS hardware that I could throw together for a portable APRS tracker, mostly Byonics hardware that I purchased prior to realizing that the stuff designed by Scott N1VG at Argent Data Systems is far superior. Thus, it's not a huge loss if the tracker/TNC or GPS gets trashed by the elements should the weatherseal on the enclosure fail.

Goals

• Small and self-contained
• Rechargeable power
• Water/Weatherproof
• Low-cost (all parts previously purchased, except enclosure)

Existing Parts

• Byonics GPS1 GPS
• Byonics TinyTrak3+ TNC
• Byonics DB9 radio/TNC interconnect
• Yaesu VX-7RB and Diamond whip rubber duck antenna

Parts to Purchase

• Enclosure
• GPS/TNC battery, probably something that takes 8xAA NiMh batteries. I'm thinking AA-sized for ubiquitousness if regular AA-sized are needed in a pinch, and barrel-type plug for ease of charging NiMh batteries without having to disassemble the enclosure.

Below is the last known position of N2QDK-12, according to the APRS-IS. If N2QDK-12 isn't shown, it's because it has not been heard in the past hour:

The Yaesu VX-7RB is rugged and waterproof (can be submerged), and has its own battery pack. I need to figure out runtime based on one beacon every 60 seconds.

A weathertight enclosure needs to be created everything except the radio, ideally also containing the battery. The VX-7RB can be external if need be.

I have N2QDK-9 configured to digipeat TEMPn APRS paths. As long as the RAV4 containing N2QDK-9 is parked within range of the portable tracker, N2QDK-12, it will digipeat the position packet at up to 65 watts so the information will hopefully make it to an Igate, for insertion into the APRS-IS, thus being displayed via the web, and on this page.

Assembly and testing will continue fall/winter 2008/2009.