Zares ZTrak User Manual

Opentracker kit

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Version:

1.1

Date:

16/05/2006

ZTrak

Zares OpenTracker Kit

USER GUIDE

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Summary of Contents for Zares ZTrak

Page 1 ZTrak Zares OpenTracker Kit USER GUIDE Version: Date: 16/05/2006...
Page 2: Table Of Contents
ARRIER DETECT LINE Temperature............15 & 1/8" S ....31 DATA PEAKER ACKS Voltage............... 15 Protocol ............. 15 © Copyri ght 200 6 - ZARES (ZL1CVD Amateur Ra dio Eq uipm ent Sup pli es) – all rig hts reserved Page 2...
Page 3: Introduction
Introduction The ZTrak is an amateur radio data encoder capable of generating 1200 or 300 baud AX.25 packets using both APRS™ and OpenT RAC protocols, as well as PSK31 text beacons. It can be connected to a GPS receiver to report position, course, speed, time, altitude.
Page 4: Aprs Overview
A number of low-earth orbiting satellites and the International Space Station are also capable of relaying APRS data. © Copyri ght 200 6 - ZARES (ZL1CVD Amateur Ra dio Eq uipm ent Sup pli es) – all rig hts reserved Page 4...
Page 5: Ztrak Uses
ZTrak Uses The ZTrak connects to a transceiver to make it transmit APRS packets. In broad terms, it can be set up for sending data, used to track a mobile object or report weather. Data Tracker Weather Uses.. Uses.. Uses..
Page 6: Assembly Notes
© Copyri ght 200 6 - ZARES (ZL1CVD Amateur Ra dio Eq uipm ent Sup pli es) – all rig hts reserved Page 6...
Page 7 Make sur e the blac k band on the diode matches the boar d layout © Copyri ght 200 7 - ZARES (ZL1CVD Amateur Ra dio Eq uipm ent Sup pli es) – all rig hts reserved Page 7...
Page 8 Assembly is now complete. You may wish to further secure the ZTrak board to the case at the screw mounting points and or install D socket standoffs. Silicone sealer could also be used to fill the gap at the top of the D sockets. These optional items are not supplied with the basic kit as the final installation will vary from customer to customer.
Page 9: Connecting It All Up
Power in Black Ground White GPS Data in No connection Yellow TTL GPS Data Out No connection © Copyri ght 200 7 - ZARES (ZL1CVD Amateur Ra dio Eq uipm ent Sup pli es) – all rig hts reserved Page 9...
Page 10: 1-Wire Weather Station
R3 can be installed in the cable used to connect the handheld to ZTrak. © Copyri ght 200 6 - ZARES (ZL1CVD Amateur Ra dio Eq uipm ent Sup pli es) – all rig hts reserved Page 10...
Page 11: Theory Of Operation
• Make sure the squelch level is set correctly. If it is set too light, the ZTrak will detect the static as a carrier and think another station is transmitting and will not send the packet. Set too strong and you run the risk of doubling with a weaker station on the same frequency.
Page 12: Tx & Rx Adjustments
Lit solid – indicates the ZTrak is transmitting an APRS packet or is connected to a PC and is in configuration mode. © Copyri ght 200 6 - ZARES (ZL1CVD Amateur Ra dio Eq uipm ent Sup pli es) – all rig hts reserved Page 12...
Page 13: Configuration
The comparison button in the middle can be either ‘>’ (greater than) or ‘<=’ (less than or equal to). Clicking on the button showing the comparison operator toggles it between these two settings. © Copyri ght 200 7 - ZARES (ZL1CVD Amateur Ra dio Eq uipm ent Sup pli es) – all rig hts reserved Page 13...
Page 14: How Conditions Are Tested
These settings control the symbol used to indicate the station’s position when drawn on a map. See Appendix B for a listing of available symbols. © Copyri ght 200 6 - ZARES (ZL1CVD Amateur Ra dio Eq uipm ent Sup pli es) – all rig hts reserved Page 14...
Page 15: Temp. Adjust
Power Control Enabled by default. In the ZTrak hardware design the power control is wired directly into the buck regulator control pin to turn the transceiver on or off. The tracker will pause for the specified number of seconds to give the transmitter time to power up.
Page 16: Enable Counter
This option allows the tracker to be used in burst-after-voice mode without breaking any lines between the microphone and radio. PTT is not asserted by the tracker until the microphone PTT is released. This option is not used in the ZTrak design.
Page 17: Receiving And Decoding Aprs Data
Multiple maps (including satelite images!) Distance calculator Station details Station cov erage Eagle ey e mode © Copyri ght 200 7 - ZARES (ZL1CVD Amateur Ra dio Eq uipm ent Sup pli es) – all rig hts reserved Page 17...
Page 18: Firmware
This can be ordered by phoning within NZ 07 549 2251 or internationally +647 549 2251 © Copyri ght 200 6 - ZARES (ZL1CVD Amateur Ra dio Eq uipm ent Sup pli es) – all rig hts reserved Page 18...
Page 19: Firmware
Firmware files are in Motorola S19 format. If you compile your own firmware, the S19 file generated by the linker can be used without modification. Interrupt vectors are automatically rewritten by the configuration program. © Copyri ght 200 7 - ZARES (ZL1CVD Amateur Ra dio Eq uipm ent Sup pli es) – all rig hts reserved Page 19...
Page 20: Appendix A - Telemetry Operation
Of the final eight-digit field, only two binary digits are used – the rightmost bit reflects the jumper input, and the next bit indicates the configuration profile in use. © Copyri ght 200 6 - ZARES (ZL1CVD Amateur Ra dio Eq uipm ent Sup pli es) – all rig hts reserved Page 20...
Page 21: Appendix B - Aprs Symbol Tables
Symbol Table field of the windows configuration program, otherwise place \ in the field to use the alternate table. Next place the character for the chosen symbol in the Symbol Code field. E.g. if you are using the ZTrak to track a car, in the configuration program you would place / in the Symbol Table field and <...
Page 25: Appendix C - Nz Aprs Frequencies
APRS in Canterbury http://www.zl2ucx.gen.nz/aprs/ NZART APRS Mailing List http://www.nzart.org.nz/nzart/aprs/zlap rs.html ZL1AMW' s UI-View Resource http://zl1amw.wallace.net.nz/aprs.html © Copyri ght 200 7 - ZARES (ZL1CVD Amateur Ra dio Eq uipm ent Sup pli es) – all rig hts reserved Page 25...
Page 26: Appendix D - Ztrak Circuit & Layout
Appendix D – ZTrak Circuit & Layout © Copyri ght 200 6 - ZARES (ZL1CVD Amateur Ra dio Eq uipm ent Sup pli es) – all rig hts reserved Page 26...
Page 27: Appendix F - Radio Port Cable Wiring
Zares and you are advised to proceed with caution. In all instances, check your own radio wiring before proceeding. Zares is not responsible for any damage caused. Also note Byonics sell a range of pre-assembled cabl es which can be ordered on line.
Page 28: Icom T2H, Ic-2At, Ic-V8, Yaesu Vx-150, Vx-2R, Vx-5R & I Kenwood Th-78A, Th-D7A, Kenwood With 8- Pin Rj-45
Kenwood TH-78A, TH-D7A, etc. Kenwood with 8-pin RJ-45 Kenwood with 8-pin RJ-45 and 1/8" Speaker Jack © Copyri ght 200 6 - ZARES (ZL1CVD Amateur Ra dio Eq uipm ent Sup pli es) – all rig hts reserved Page 28...
Page 29: Jack
Icom with 8-pin RJ-45 and 1/8" Speaker Jack Kenwood and Alinco with 8-pin round Mic Jack © Copyri ght 200 7 - ZARES (ZL1CVD Amateur Ra dio Eq uipm ent Sup pli es) – all rig hts reserved Page 29...
Page 30: Ack
Yaesu with 8-pin round Mic Jack Icom with 8-pin round Mic Jack 6-Pin Mini DIN data Jack (uses Carrier detect line) © Copyri ght 200 6 - ZARES (ZL1CVD Amateur Ra dio Eq uipm ent Sup pli es) – all rig hts reserved Page 30...
Page 31: Uses Carrier Detect Line )30 Peaker Jacks
6-Pin Mini DIN data & 1/8" Speaker Jacks © Copyri ght 200 7 - ZARES (ZL1CVD Amateur Ra dio Eq uipm ent Sup pli es) – all rig hts reserved Page 31...