Binaries for newer device, T3S3

[lkangas]

Lilygo Lora32 V1.6.1-V2.1 ("Paxcounter") modules are being replaced by a newer HW, the T3S3 which is very similar in features but with a new MCU, and on some versions another LoRa Module with changed pinout.

Would it be possible to provide binaries for this HW as well? They are cheaper than the old Paxcounter boards and I'm planning on using one as the relay station.

[moshe-braner]

Hi lkangas. I am not familiar with that board, don't have one on hand, and have not worked on any board with the ESP32-S3 yet. So that won't happen soon. Maybe eventually.

When you say "as the relay station" you mean the remote one, that will receive the signals from the aircraft? I always use a T-Beam for that, since it has the GNSS module, and having the GNSS time is critical for the time-slots of the frequency hopping scheme. But then, I am in the USA and we have 65 channels here. In Europe, for example, with 2 channels, it may be OK to just listen to one. And in some countries there is only one channel. So it would make sense to use a board like this.

[lkangas]

I mean in fact not the remote station, but the lower one connected to wifi, so the T3S3 would be replacing the Paxcounter model. I also plan to use a T-beam for the remote station.

The T3S3 is merely an upgrade for the paxcounter, with better availability and sometimes lower price. No GNSS etc, just Lora and Wifi.

In the meantime I have already acquired a paxcounter model too, so I will get things up and running.

[moshe-braner]

OK. Let me know how it works for you! Or if you have any questions. Where are you located? I am excited to have somebody try the 2-station system. I tested it here (in Vermont, USA) with the "remote" station not very "remote". But have not yet found a good place to install it on a mountain. The antenna needs to be above the trees, so (around here, lots of trees) need to build a tower, or get permission to use an existing tower (on a mountain on which there are no cellphone or other transmitters!).

On Wed, Feb 14, 2024 at 8:11 AM Lauri Kangas @.***> wrote:

I mean in fact not the remote station, but the lower one connected to wifi, so the T3S3 would be replacing the Paxcounter model. I also plan to use a T-beam for the remote station.

In the meantime I have already acquired a paxcounter model too, so I will get things up and running.

— Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/moshe-braner/Open-Glider-Network-Groundstation/issues/19#issuecomment-1943740995, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AWI7NOQK2RAF65UDQP75LC3YTSZYBAVCNFSM6AAAAABB6Z2UCSVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMYTSNBTG42DAOJZGU . You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: <moshe-braner/Open-Glider-Network-Groundstation/issues/19/1943740995@ github.com>

[lkangas]

I'm located in Finland and I will first experiment with a 2-station system having the remote station next to the windsock of EFRY airfield and the other station on my (stationary) trailer with wifi.

Once everything is working, I'm planning on using the setup a bit further east, roughly between EFLA and EFKY airfields, where there currently is poor OGN coverage. There is an attractive spot in an amateur radio communications tower with exceptionally good visibility in every direction. The other receiver would be somewhat close to the tower, at an astronomical observatory. There's a chance that this will not yet happen next summer, but let's see.

[moshe-braner]

Hopefully it will work. But note that the T-Beam as a receiver is sensitive to strong signals on other frequencies - e.g., from that amateur radio repeater on the same tower. That means reduced reception of the intended signals. You should probably add a filter between the antenna and the T-Beam, that filters out frequencies other than 868 MHz. Just a passive filter without an amplifier, that can pass signals in both directions, since that T-Beam will also be transmitting messages to the other station. Even with the filter it may not work - but let me know!

On Thu, Feb 15, 2024 at 6:49 AM Lauri Kangas @.***> wrote:

I'm located in Finland and I will first experiment with a 2-station system having the remote station next to the windsock of EFRY airfield and the other station on my (stationary) trailer with wifi.

Once everything is working, I'm planning on using the setup a bit further east, roughly between EFLA and EFKY airfields, where there currently is poor OGN coverage. There is an attractive spot in an amateur radio communications tower with exceptionally good visibility in every direction. The other receiver would be somewhat close to the tower, at an astronomical observatory. There's a chance that this will not yet happen next summer, but let's see.

— Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/moshe-braner/Open-Glider-Network-Groundstation/issues/19#issuecomment-1945940886, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AWI7NOQGLJN5QTQJ3TF6NXTYTXY3PAVCNFSM6AAAAABB6Z2UCSVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMYTSNBVHE2DAOBYGY . You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: <moshe-braner/Open-Glider-Network-Groundstation/issues/19/1945940886@ github.com>

[moshe-braner]

I have now ordered some T3S3 boards, which are definitely less expensive and more available than the old paxcounter. And also available with the sx1262 radio which is supposed to be better than the sx1276. So in the coming months will try and create a version of OGNbase that will run on them. With OGNbase now able to get the exact time from NTP, and even send it from the base station to the remote station, it is possible to run a 2-station system with 2 paxcounters. And in the future, I hope, with 2 T3S3s.

[moshe-braner]

Working on T3S3 now!