Transcript APRS-Wx-Station

Building an APRS Weather
Station for Under $300
APRS Wx station presentation by Chris, W8CWG,
Mound Amateur Radio Association
3 Dec 2014
Hardware
• Hardware Requirements
– Weather Station - $112 w/shipping
– Raspberry Pi B+ - $60 (inc. pwr supply and 4Gb
memory chip)
– 8 to 32Gb Micro SD (optional for extra memory)
– TNC-Pi - $69 w/shipping
– Cables/adapters - $24
– Keyboard - $8
– Mouse - $6
Software
• Software Requirements (ALL FREE!)
– Raspbian Linux (Debian “Wheezy” distribution)
– Python versions 2.5, 2.6, or 2.7.x
– Current Oracle Java runtime
– Java librxtx-java package
– Weewx (http://www.weewx.com)
– YAAC (http://www.ka2ddo.org/ka2ddo/YAAC.html)
Software (cont.)
• Optional software products
– Apache2 web server
• Needed if you want to publish weather charts over the
Internet outside your home network
– AX25 tools and apps
Hardware
• You have to have a weather station
Hardware
• You have to have a Raspberry Pi B+
Hardware
• You have to have a KISS TNC (this is a TNC-Pi)
Hardware
• You have to have a radio
Hardware
• Then assorted cables
– HDMI to VGA Converter (not adapter)
– Cable interface between radio and TNC
– Power supply
– USB cable between R-Pi and Wx station
• A keyboard and a mouse
• Monitor (optional if you use an A/B switch)
Hardware
• You must modify for Icom HT PTT configuration
• YMMV
• Requires a 33K ohm resistor between Mic and Mic Gnd
Hardware
• Modified for Icom HT PTT
Assembled Base Station
• The TNC-Pi mounts over top the R-Pi via the
GPIO pin plug
Assembled Base Station
• The completed APRS station
Assembled Base Station
• Raspbian Linux main screen
Assembled Base Station
YAAC Screen
Assembled Base Station
YAAC Configure
Assembled Base Station
YAAC Configure
Assembled Base Station
YAAC Configure
Assembled Base Station
YAAC Configure
Assembled Base Station
http://108.81.134.22
Lessons Learned
• The R-Pi and WxWise station are not shielded
against RF
– Added a number of ferrites to the various lines
– Ultimately moved the antenna about 5 feet away
– Consider installing boards in grounded metal box
• YAAC uses a large amount of memory
– Solution is to set logging either off or at minimums
• Reduced the amount of Tx events
– Needed to conserve battery power on the V82
Thanks for Watching!
Building an APRS Weather Station
For Under $300
Questions?