LightAPRS-W (+WSPR) tracker

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LightAPRS-W is and affordable, smallest, lightest, powerful and open source APRS tracker with WSPR. It makes tracking pico balloons simple and easy. It is able to report location, altitude, temperature and pressure to the internet ([APRS-IS](http://status.aprs2.net)) or direct to an amateur radio once a minute with a solar panel/super capacitors or just 4xAAA batteries. Because LightAPRS-W is open source you can add your own custom sensors via I2C/SPI pins.

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$130

NOTE: This is the WSPR version of the LightAPRS tracker. If you want the APRS-only version, please see http://qrp-labs.com/lightaprs 

Information, source code

Official information and source code is on GITHUB: https://github.com/lightaprs/LightAPRS-W-1.0 

Key Features

  • Ready-assembled PCB: all components are SMD and already soldered
  • Open Source: Sofware is open. You can easily modify the source code. The source code is shared via GitHub for different use cases (pico balloon, HAB, car, etc.)
  • Arduino Compatible CPU: Since CPU is Atmega based, you can use Arduino IDE and libraries to programme LightAPRS-W.
  • Extendable: Using I2C and SPI pins you can add extra sensors ( and their librarires) to LightAPRS-W and programme it as you wish.
  • 1 Watt Radio: In fact you don't need 1 Watt radio module for balloon projects but for your other projects you definitely will :)
  • 10 mWatt HF Radio: Si5351A clock generator, Si5351 Arduino library and Etherkit JTEncode library generates a set of channel symbols for WSPR based on the user providing a callsign, Maidenhead grid locator, and power output for WSPR.
  • High Quality GPS: No need to comment :) Ublox is one of the best GPS manufacturers.
  • Price: LightAPRS-W is more affordable (115$) than any other APRS tracker (see below)

Basic Features

  • Software: Open Source
  • Weight: 9 grams
  • Dimensions: 3.5 cm x 6 cm
  • IDE: Arduino
  • Platform: MightyCore
  • CPU: Atmega1284P-AU
  • Flash: 128 KB
  • Ram: 16 KB
  • EEPROM: 4 KB
  • Operating Frequency: 8 MHz
  • Operating Voltage: 3.3V
  • Input Voltage: 4.5V (min) - 10V (max) via USB or VBat pin
  • BOD: 2.7V
  • Sensor: BMP180 (pressure and temperature)
  • VHF Radio Module: Dorji DRA818V 
  • VHF Radio Operating Frequency: 134-174 MHz (configurable by software)
  • VHF Low Pass Filter: Available (7 elements)
  • VHF Radio Power: 0.5W or 1W (configurable by software)
  • VHF Power Consumption (TX): ~460 mA (0.5W) / ~760mA (1W) (Automatically selected based on input voltage by code)
  • HF Radio Module: Si5351A-B-GT (included)
  • HF Radio Operating Frequency: 2.5kHz - 200Mhz (configurable by code)
  • HF Low Pass Filter: No
  • HF Radio Power: ~10mW
  • Power Consumption (Sleep): ~5 mA
  • GPS: Ublox MAX-M8Q (GPS-GLONASS)
  • Gps Antenna Gain: 4.3dBi
  • Extended Pins: I2C, SPI
  • USB Serial: CH340G

Comparison with other APRS trackers

    LightAPRS-W   Tracksoar   PicoAPRS Lite
Weight   9 grams   45 grams   7 grams  
Frequency Agile   Yes (134-174 Mhz)   No   Yes (134-174 Mhz)
Transmit Power   1W APRS / 10mW WSPR   300mW   1W
Softare   Open Source   Open Source   Proprietary
Sensors Included   Temperature, Pressure   Temperature, Pressure, Humidity   Temperature, Pressure
Extendable   I2C, SPI, GPIO   I2C, SPI, GPIO   No
Price   115$   205$   157$

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