Airplane Tracker - Page 6

petehowell · #51 02-24-2008, 07:48 AM

As Sam said, trim the case, unibit a hole for the ant connector, and use a razor to cut out for the DB-9. The db-9 will need to have the ears ground off to fit inside the case. The endcap plastic is pretty soft.....

Seems to work just fine.

petehowell · #52 02-26-2008, 06:28 AM

Hank Avent sent me the following note, always good to save a few bux:

Thanks for all your help answering my questions. I want to mention that you can let folks know on the VAF website that they can get copies of The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual for $16.20 plus around $4.50 shipping at the ABEbooks website. Just google abebooks to access their website. I believe there are still about 20 copies at that price and several other booksellers there offering it cheaper than the $24.95 price at ARRL. I use this website for almost all of my book purchases b/c it's almost always cheaper. Take a look and see what you think.

This and the online tests should get you prepped quickly.

petehowell · #53 02-26-2008, 06:39 AM

Just a reminder for those that will be going with the hi-power MicroTrak 8000. This unit is fussier about power and can't be hooked up directly to ships power per Michael Crowder's post # 4 above. The instruction manual (available at the byonics site) indicates bad things will happen if you push the thing to 14+ volts where our busses run.

VHS · #54 03-03-2008, 02:02 PM

Gentlemen,

I am glad to hear that you are interested in using APRS transmitters in your aircraft! FYI, we will have a power supply capable of providing up to 5 Amperes (pulsed) for the Micro-Trak products in a week or so. This will be in the form of a 1 inch square board with a three screw terminal input/output connector. It will have mounting holes in all four corners.

A number of people have asked me about producing an aviation/marine version of the Micro-Trak 8000 FA. (the 10 Watt, programmable, frequency agile version of the Micro-Trak) This version would have a second DB-9 connector to remote mount (panel) the indicator LED's, configuration switch, hi/low power switch, and on/off switch. The PC board would have a high current voltage regulator on board, with a maximum power input of 30 Volts DC.

I would like out find out if you gents have any interest in this kind of device, and if you have any special design requests ( SMA connectors, BNC, blue LED's etc.)

If I can be of any service in regards to any Micro-Trak product, feel free to E-Mail, and I am happy to help out. (vhsproducts@aol.com)

Best regards,

Allen R. Lord
VHS Products
www.byonics.com/microtrak

petehowell · #55 03-03-2008, 02:56 PM

I'll chime in. Most of our radios use BNC conncectors, so those are more familiar and might be in the spare parts box. The on-board regulator would be very nice as well.

Not sure on the remote panel. My wingtip install is very simple and "fire and forget" but some may like the ability to monitor/configure from the cockpit.

Neat little units - I really enjoy mine and feel it is a nice safety feature in the plane.

mburch · #56 03-03-2008, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VHS

A number of people have asked me about producing an aviation/marine version of the Micro-Trak 8000 FA. (the 10 Watt, programmable, frequency agile version of the Micro-Trak) This version would have a second DB-9 connector to remote mount (panel) the indicator LED's, configuration switch, hi/low power switch, and on/off switch. The PC board would have a high current voltage regulator on board, with a maximum power input of 30 Volts DC.

That would certainly save me the effort of building or sourcing my own power supply, so yes I'd be interested. I personally don't have a strong desire to have any annunciation or control functions in the cabin, I just want the thing to run all the time.

My $0.02...

mcb

TravisHamblen · #57 03-05-2008, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VHS

Gentlemen,

A number of people have asked me about producing an aviation/marine version of the Micro-Trak 8000 FA. (the 10 Watt, programmable, frequency agile version of the Micro-Trak) This version would have a second DB-9 connector to remote mount (panel) the indicator LED's, configuration switch, hi/low power switch, and on/off switch. The PC board would have a high current voltage regulator on board, with a maximum power input of 30 Volts DC.
www.byonics.com/microtrak

Okay, at first I didn't get what is being offered here. Now that I read the TinyTrak3 manual and the config software I understand what Allen is offering here. This actually sounds really nice!

Here is how I envision it. On your panel you have an emergency switch and a corresponding emergency indicator light. The switch flips the Micro-Trak over to the secondary channel which you have pre-set for emergencies only. Basically, your unit would probably be powered on anytime the plane's master switch or avionics switch is turned on. During normal operation it would send the tracking messages with your N# as your call sign and your ham license and airplane make and such in the comments section that gets transmitted. So for example mine would say something like:

N107XX / (FCC callsign) Vans RV-7A N107XX@gmail.com for tracking questions.
location/altitude/airspeed information here

Now where this thing becomes worth every dollar of the max $200.00 you spent on it is in an emergency. Engine failure, smoke in cockpit, fire, any of the things that will cause you to put her down in a remote, possibly hostile location. You reach forward flip the APRS emergency switch and your APRS unit stops sending the standard Hi nice to see your tracking me have a nice day type message, over to your preset EMERGENCY message which would be something like this:

N107XX - DECLARING INFLIGHT EMERGENCY - Notify emergency reponders to respond to:
location/altitude/airspeed information here

Now I know that most pilots would never have to use this feature, but just think what would have happened had Steve Fossett had this same setup. You could have he unit updating your position every 10 seconds until you come to a stop, and with the 10 watt unit you would probably get out with most the transmissions. With all the ham operators out there watching all day long for just such an event, you would have everyone and their brother reporting your dire situation. You would probably have first responders rolling to your location before you even touched down, well at least heading in the right direction.

This looks like a great option. It cost maybe $5 more than the wingtip installation for the panel switch and indicator light. I'm going to try out my wingtip version then play around with the above later on. I am just so glad this has come out, my biggest fear has always been ditching the plane, crawling out of it with minor injuries, but nobody finds me for a couple days. Up here in Minnesota anything more than a couple very short hours would be a death sentence in the winter.

Also, Allen, the owner of VHS Products mentioned to me via e-mail that he may soon come out with a registry for airplane operators with APRS to register their set-up. This is a great idea, Allen is involved in the Civil Air Patrol, who are the poeple that will come looking for you if you ever go down. Of course, if they were able to know in advance you had APRS and lookup your track before they started flying the search patterns for you, they would have you located in no time. Of course they have no idea if the downed aircraft has this lifesaving APRS device if there is not someplace for them to register it. He didn't say that he was committed to starting it yet, but is loioking into the site developement and such at this time. I thought this was a GREAT idea! May save a life someday!

petehowell · #58 03-05-2008, 11:41 AM

Just seen on the web. Our own Sam B tracked Live!

TravisHamblen · #59 03-05-2008, 11:49 AM

Pete mentioned that Sam would probably be out on his maiden voyage this morning, so I set up a window watching his home airport for any APRS movement. Like a silent stalker I sat back and watched, then at 2008-03-05 12:15:47 CST, N399SB went airborne and I sat back and observed his flight. Unbeknownst to Sam his every move was being watched! Its official, there is no more privacy, big brother can watch your every move now!

On a lighter note, looks like the unit is working great!

Sam Buchanan · #60 03-05-2008, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TravisHamblen

Pete mentioned that Sam would probably be out on his maiden voyage this morning, so I set up a window watching his home airport for any APRS movement. Like a silent stalker I sat back and watched, then at 2008-03-05 12:15:47 CST, N399SB went airborne and I sat back and observed his flight. Unbeknownst to Sam his every move was being watched! Its official, there is no more privacy, big brother can watch your every move now!

On a lighter note, looks like the unit is working great!

"Like a silent stalker"???? Kinda makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up!!

It was great having you on the flight, Travis. Yep, there is no hiding now. The MicroTrak and belly-mounted 1/4 wave antenna worked superbly and I just can't get over the coolness of the APRS system.

I have updated the article on APRS to reflect today's flight:

http://thervjournal.com/tracker.htm

I think we are just beginning to see a population boom in trackers. Several of my local friends have stated an APRS rig is in their future and most, after seeing the map, say "I want one of those". I suspect my study guide is gonna look sort of dog eared pretty soon.

Just gotta remember that thing is runnin'...and be on my best behavior.