TinyTrak Message Board

This message board is devoted to TinyTrak, to ask questions, leave comments, and see how others are using TinyTrak. Byonics responses are shown in green. You can also send questions eMail to byon@byonics.com
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From: Andrea Selva (IK2PTN) on Sun Feb 4 08:22:24 2001
Byon, just another idea: why not connecting a Hg-switch to SW2 for moving detection ? If you do not see transitions on pin 13 for a while, you switch to "alternate timing". When transitions reappear, switch immediately to "standard timing". In this way you can set i.e. 30 sec interval which automatically reduces to 15 minutes when stopped for at least 1 minute... 73 de Andrea.
The TinyTrak II will have SmartBeaconing, which adjusts your transmit rate to your speed. When you stop moving, it sends much less often.

From: Arnie Johnson (N1BAC) on Sun Feb 4 05:16:50 2001
Hi Byon. The new PIC fixed my problem. Thanks. Additional info: 1) When programming the TT, use a good filtered power device for the TT. I used a wall wart that I thought was okay, but wasn't and caused me a day of thinking that my computer's comm port had a problem. 2) Don't be afraid of using a larger TXD to start with and slowly adjusting it lower as time goes on. It makes a difference with different radios. Arnie, N1BAC

From: David Hoffman (KE4FGW) on Thu Feb 1 11:11:27 2001
I just ordered my second Tinytrak and see that a newer version of the PIC may be available. Has this new version been released yet? If not, can I have it changed out when it does become available?
If you are referring to TinyTrak II, it is not yet ready, but when it is, you should be able to purchase a new chip to drop into your existing hardware.
If you are referring to TinyTrak v1.3, it is available. I can send you the code if you can burn a chip, you can send my your chip for re- burning, or you can purchase a new chip for $10.

From: Dale Collier (ko5z) on Wed Jan 31 19:09:53 2001
Byon, just got the TT and the gst1. I am using an Earthmate gps. When I hook everything together I cannot get the green led to blink execpt at startup. I have data going inand out of the GST-1 but It seems it's not going into the TT. Have you any idea? Thanks D.C.
You probably are not be getting power to the GST-1 when connected to the TinyTrak. On the female GST-1 connector, apply +12V to pin 6 relative to pin 5. DO NOT APPLY +12V to pin 9 or you will damage your Earthmate.

From: Junius Fox (w5hir) on Sat Jan 27 16:03:33 2001
I have nothing to offer at this time, but want to know how others are using the device.
You can get an idea from reading these messages. Also, a request on TAPR's APRSSIG or the eGroups / Yahoo! Groups TinyTrak list might get you more information.
I use mine in my car (N6BG-9), for my short commute between home and work. It works with an ADI 2m 5W HT, and a Rand McNally GPS.

From: Ed Flinn (WA6YVX) on Wed Jan 24 20:56:30 2001
For those of you using APRS+SA with Tinytrak, Brent recently fixed a bug dealing with the SSID routing of Mic-E type data not decoding properly. The new version, 1.99YH can be downloaded from: http://www.tapr.org/~kh2z/aprsplus

From: Ed Locklear (KF4CHG) on Wed Jan 24 12:56:14 2001
Hi Bryon, Please disreguard the Jan 16,2001 email about pin 8 on the HTX-252 being MIC/PTT. Not to keep everyone wondering about the pin outs (how selfish of me), here are the correct pin outs per Radio Shack SM.
1) MIC / PTT
2) SCAN / PRI
3) DOWN / UP
4) +5 Vdc
5) LOCK / SHIFT
6) CALL / STEP
7) F / MHZ (F = Function)
8) GND
Enjoy! 73's de Ed KF4CHG

From: Paul Wardell (N5PYD) on Tue Jan 23 14:51:53 2001
can I connect a trimble lassen sk8 gps receiver (outputs inverted TTL level NMEA 0183 on second port) directly to the gps input of the tinytrack without inverting and converting the TTL levels to RS232 levels?
Yes, you can. The TinyTrak actually uses inverted TTL, and that seems to work fine with most RS-232 devices, but it should work perfectly with another inverted TTL device. Just make sure the data comes in on pin 3 (both on the DB-9 and the PIC chip), and that it is 4800 baud.

From: luciano (PU2XVD) on Tue Jan 23 04:39:17 2001
I want buy this Bionic, but I can't speak im English. Can you speak im Portuguese? Luciano
I do not speak Portuguese, but perhaps you can use an internet tool like babelfish.altavista.com which can translate web pages and text between English and other languages.

From: Bob Hollister (N7INK) on Sat Jan 20 20:59:24 2001
Byon, I am troubleshooting a new problem on my original Tiny Trak. It now seems to be cutting off the first digit of the Westing. Instead of receiving 11015.03W, I am receiving 01015.03W. I am using a Garmin 48 and when hooked directly to the computer map program (SA 7) it puts the icon in the right place. Suggestions? PS it worked fine a couple months ago so I am confused.
It sounds like the WinAPRS 2.4.6 bug. If a computer running WinAPRS version 2.4.6 hears you, it will rebroadcast you with the 100s digit turned off. If they upgrade to 2.4.7, or downgrade to 2.4.5, the problem will go away.

From: Peter Westerhof (VK1NPW) on Sat Jan 20 15:49:30 2001
Byon, bought one and works like a charm. Keep up the good work and thanks for the quick delivery to downunder.
Thanks Peter!

From: Gary Barker (VE6UQ) on Sat Jan 20 15:48:15 2001
I am having trouble with the TinyTrak NOT keying the TX. Has someone got some troubleshooting procedures to use on this? I am assuming that R8 is not required for the models involved here and so PTT OUT is used. I have disconnected pin 10 so audio noise should not be a factor in preventing the transmit circuit from enabling. The first unit tried was a Kenwood TR2500 handheld. I went by the pinout shown in the MFJ-1270C/1274C manual which indicates the sleeve of the mic jack is PTT and the tip is mic audio. The second unit is a Maxon mobile which requires a ground on its PTT line to transmit. There were no errors indicated in the software reading and writing. D3 lights up every 10 seconds as per the way the PIC was programmed. At times the GPS signal will fade and so D2 flickers but D3 always lights up every cycle.
The TinyTrak caues the radio to transmit by shorting the PTT line to ground. I would test your radios by shorting the PTT line to ground and seeing if they transmit. Then I would test the TinyTrak PTT out line with a ohm meter/continuity tester to see if the PTT line is grounded when the RED TX LED comes on.

From: Hugh Duff (VA3TO) on Fri Jan 19 11:30:23 2001
I'm looking for another one or two of the Aisin GPS engines. If anyone has or knows of a source (perhaps your buddy bought one and hasn't done anything with it), please contact me. Thanks...Hugh VA3TO

From: Mike Christie (WA1ZFB) on Thu Jan 18 22:05:58 2001
Sir I received the Tiny Trak today and put it together. It works but I cann't program the PIC. Everything works fine on it but I can't interface it with the computer. I've tried several computers and none with work. Is there something we've doing wrong. I've checked the com ports. we've tried Hyper terminal still nothing. Check the pin conections and power and everything seems to be fine. Any help would be helpful. Thanks Mike
If it flashes the LEDs at powerup, and sends data over the radio, the chip is working. Have you tried to hook it up to a GPS, to see if the GPS Valid LED turns on? You should confirm you see serial data on PIC pin 3. Use a scope if you have access to one. Triple check your solder joints between the serial connector and the PIC chip. Make sure use do not use a NULL modem when you connect to the computer. If you hook it up to hyperterm at 4800 baud, and send ESC V, you should get the version string.

From: Larry Hoover (kh7cq) on Thu Jan 18 15:03:39 2001
Byon:I would like to purchase a chip with the latest firmware version to replace my v1.0. How? Thanks, Larry.
You have three options.
- If you can program PIC chips, I can send you the firmware, and you can burn it into your existing PIC chip.
- You send me the old chip, and include a SASE, and I'll reprogram it and return it.
- You can purchase a replacement chip for $10.

From: Dung Ngo () on Wed Jan 17 00:04:38 2001
Hello Byon, I'm very interested in building a vehicle tracking system using Tiny Track and other equipments. I'm very new at this and do not have any knowledge regarding these subjects: ham radio, GPS... Would you please give me some directions on how to build such a system? I'm really appreciate it. Sicerely yours, Dung Ngo
The TinyTrak kind of depends on the Amateur Radio APRS infrastructure set up for hams. I'm afraid it might not be as useful for you unless you have access to radios with a reasonable range. Of course, you could always consider becoming a ham. It's not hard. You can find more information on APRS at www.tapr.org , www.aprshelp.com , and www.aprs.net

From: Ed Locklear (KF4CHG) on Tue Jan 16 20:50:58 2001
Hi Byon, Just wanted to let you know that I have built 3 of your TT's that are being used on at least 5 different radios, including the new Radio Shack HTX-252. I had to pysicaly ring this one out with a DVM to get the correct pin outs and make a schematic. I had to build this TT as if it where a HT because PTT and MIC are on the same pin (8)! Ed de KF4CHG
Thanks for the update. Glad to hear they are working well on the various rigs.

From: /\/\ark (M1AJG) on Tue Jan 16 17:40:28 2001
Just purchased the TT...excellent delivery time to the UK..all up & running no problem :-) Just cant find out what S1 and S2 do..I did read it somewhere a long while back but cant seem to stumble across it when I need it..anyone help please..Cheers..
SW1 is used to switch between primary and secondary transmission rates. SW2 is not currently used.

From: Robert Henry (WB4OOV) on Tue Jan 16 07:57:55 2001
Hi Byon: I have one TT up and running but the recent one that I received has the same problem as mentioned by Wayne Heil as mentioned in his Jan. 15 message. Also, the # of chip in the TT that is up and running ends in 10 but the newer that I cannot get to work ends in 20. Any significant? Keep up the good work. 73 Bob
The -20 will work just as well as the -10. The only difference is that the -20 is rated to run at 20 Mhz. Since the TinyTrak runs at 10 Mhz, both will work. I'll send you a replacement chip.

From: Byon Garrabrant (N6BG) on Mon Jan 15 23:47:43 2001
It seems a few recently shipped kits contained a non-functional PIC chip. If your new TinyTrak kit does not flash the CD and GPS LEDs at powerup, and you have clean solder joints, and power at PIC socket pins 4 and 14, and ground at 5, you may have a bad PIC chip. Please contact me to make arrangements for a replacement. Sorry for the trouble.

From: Wayne Heil (KG6OQJ) on Mon Jan 15 19:12:51 2001
I have just finished building the TT but the PC doesn't seem to communicate with the TT. When trying to check version an error pops up saying "TinyTrak not found". I have double-checked the soldering. How can I check that the chip is OK? Does it have a power-on test (e.g.LEDs flashing etc.)? When connecting power just the power-LED comes on.
Sounds like a bad chip. I'll send you a replacement.

From: Lloyd Mitchell (KD4HTW) on Mon Jan 15 11:40:57 2001
Byon, How soon before the new version is ready for the masses? I am chomping at the bit for it...
I'm working on it this weekend. I'm hoping to have it ready for beta in about 2 or 3 weeks. Just a few more features to add.

From: trevor taylor (ve3tlt) on Mon Jan 15 09:35:30 2001
will your unit work with a magellan gps315, and a two meter mobile with out a tnc...- main concern is with the magellan..
I'm not familiar with that GPS, but if the GPS puts out the NMEA $GPRMC sentence at 4800 baud, then, yes, it will. You can test it by hooking up to a terminal program on your computer.

From: Zachary Michael (KB9UQQ) on Sun Jan 14 18:47:38 2001
Since I have seen numerous problems decoding the TinyTrak packets with a TH-D7A, here is a tip. Make sure that the battery saver is not on. This will shut off the receiver for the time set, which in other words, means that if you have it on, then when TinyTrak transmits, it is not going to decode it, if the receiver is off. I figured that I would give this a try, so I tried it both ways. With the battery saver on, no it won't decode it, but with battery saver off it will.

From: John Glenn (K7RJR) on Sat Jan 13 13:07:01 2001
TT works fine with the RM GPS. Just put a null modem adapter and gender changer on the db9 connector from the GPS and plug it into the TinyTrak.

From: Renato Strauss (PY2EMI) on Sat Jan 13 12:58:50 2001
if its possible to use the Tiny Trak with the Rand Mcnally GPS for PC???
Yes, it is, and they work great! I cut the end off the GPS cable, and ran the red and shield wires to 12V power, and the white wire through a 10K resistor to the GPS input on the TinyTrak.

From: Evelyn Gauzens (W4WYR) on Sat Jan 13 04:06:33 2001
I plan to order five Tiny Trackers for prizes at the Tropical Hamboree, Feb. 3-4, 2001. Is your production up to date and can they be shipped to arrive between Jan 22 and Jan 30? Also, winners would not be downloading software until after Feb. 4th...would that be a problem? 73 and Sincerely, Evelyn W4WYR General Chairman Tropical Hamboree/ ARRL Florida State Convention
Kits are in stock, I can have them shipped in that time frame, and downloading should be no problem.

From: Mike Bergen (KC8PUK) on Fri Jan 12 12:39:57 2001
Would there happen to be a pin out image available. I don't want to let the smoke out.
There is a schematic in the documentation ZIP file.

From: Frank Valdor (DH5JG) on Fri Jan 12 01:09:18 2001
Just built the TT but the PC doesn't seem to communicate with the TT. When trying to check version an error pops up saying "TinyTrak not found". I tried 4 different PC with same results. I also double-checked the soldering. How can I check that the chip is OK? Does it have a power-on test (e.g.LEDs flashing etc.)? When connecting power just the power-LED comes on.
Yes, the chip should flash the yellow and green LEDs twice when power is applied. If it does not, and all your soldering joints appear to be good, and you confirm there is 5V at PIC pins 4 and 14, and ground at pin 5, then the chip may be bad. If so, I will send you a confirmed working chip.

From: Hans () on Thu Jan 11 15:01:32 2001
View TINYTRAK MOBILE beacons on streetmap CDROMS. Small receive system using TT and CDrom software. Dutch and German page still is under construction but look promissing. http://members.tripod.lycos.nl/aprsmobielnl/ROUTEUK.HTM

From: ian hamilton-douglas (G6VND) on Wed Jan 10 14:10:02 2001
i just thought i might add to anyone putting a tinytrak in a case that i found fitting the 4 led,s on the otherside of the pcb made install simple the led,s poking through the bottom of the box then any future access to the trimmers or the pic was just a case of removing the lid which became the base of the box,one of my tinytrak,s if fitted inside a small plastic box with a garmin 25, upgraded the reg on tinytrak with a 7805 input to box is 12 volts it gets warm in the box but no problems after 6 months of 24-7 use.

From: Robert E. Greene (KB7USN) on Wed Jan 10 12:38:17 2001
Byon. Seems I solved my problem written about yesterday concerning corruption of TT parameters. Guess the problem was due to excessive RF as well as gremlins that don't like me!TNX.

From: Scott Anderson (VE7OLF) on Tue Jan 9 21:52:38 2001
I'm not clear on the option of installing R8 and not wiring PTT. If I do this, will it work for both cases (mobile/KenwoodHT's & most other HT's), or do I need to decide on one or the other??
It might work for both cases, but probably not. It you want to use the TinyTrak with both mobiles and non- Kenwood HTs, you should leave R8 off and wire it into the interface cable for the HT. The interface cable for the mobile can use the PTT line directly.

From: Robert E. Greene (KB7USN) on Tue Jan 9 20:01:43 2001
Have just done my 2nd TT. When put into operation HT stays keyed up. TT is then disconnected and program parameters are checked. Turns out that parameters have been corrupted. Call sign changed from KB7USN-9 to KB. Path changed from RELAY,WIDE,WIDE to USN9,EAY0WI,EW1-9,E0X,71-1. Most other parameters also changed. Any suggestions as to my problem. TNX
Sounds like it could be RF or a bad EEPROM in the PIC chip. Can you try it with a dummy load?

From: Scott Anderson (VE7OLF) on Tue Jan 9 02:37:13 2001
Byon, I thought you mentioned once that you built the mounting holes into the TinyTrak PCB to fit a standard case, but I couldn't find one that fit at Fry's the other day. Am I mistaken?
No, the holes on the TinyTrak PCB are not designed for any particular case.

From: Bill Hutchins (KM4UO) on Mon Jan 8 23:18:04 2001
I am buildiing a fixed APRS weather station. It needs no GPS, but I need a radio interface from the Davis weather station. Will TinyTrak do this job? If not, what do you suggest?
No, TinyTrak only receives data from a GPS. I think some TNCs, like a KPC-3, may be able to handle your need.

From: Robert L. Hollister (N7INK) on Mon Jan 8 11:41:18 2001
Thanks for your quick response. I am not powering the GPS through the Tiny Trak. It is getting it's power off a direct line from a charged 12V Gel Cell.
Does the CD LED flash one per second even with the GPS disconnected? Even with the radio disconnected? With both disconnected?

From: Robert L Hollister (N7INK) on Sun Jan 7 09:28:00 2001
On my recent Tiny Trak I am experiencing a problem. The Carrier Detect light cycles on/off about every second even when I do not see a carrier detected on the radio itself. Consequently, the radio will not transmit location. I have adjusted the Resistor effecting the levels and it seems to be functioning as it can be backed off so that the LED varies from steady on to flashing. Recommendations?
Make sure the voltage level is stable into the PIC. If you are driving the GPS with the TinyTrak's voltage regulator, the GPS could be dragging down the voltage divider used for the carrier detect, and with every serial burst, once a second, it falsely detects a carrier.

From: John Atkin () on Fri Jan 5 11:21:58 2001
I've been trying to get my Tiny-Trac to work for about a week now with no success. The data transmission seems very short and sounds distorted compared to other APRS transmissions. I've tried adjusting the audio output level and calibration which didn't help any. I've used both an FT-51R and FT-90 as my transmitting radios on multiple frequencies without change. I'm using a TM-700A as the recieving station. I've also noticed that sometimes the information on the tiny track gets changed. IE. when I use it for a while trying to make it work then read back the parameters to change the calib or something they may have changed. Occasionally some of them dissappear or are just garbled letters. I have also tried switching the PIC out of my second tiny trac which I haven't built yet but this didn't help either. I did get one successful transmission right after I assembled it but since then the audio sounds differant and I haven't been able to recieve any data on the other radio. Thanks in advance. John
I too have noticed that receiving on a D7/D700 is very picky. Have you tried it with another receiving TNC? Normally, the calibration resolves decoding problems. Also, try setting you TXD level high (500). As for the parameters changing, can you try it with a different computer? Maybe the serial levels are marginal. I would also suggest building your second one, to see if there may be a problem with the first board. If we determine there is a problem with the PIC chip, I will send you a new one. Also, perhaps sending you one with the latest firmware may make an improvment.

From: Rick (KH7O) on Wed Jan 3 22:05:49 2001
Fantastic, no problems with operation, see my initial setup using the tinytrack http://www.qsl.net/kh7o/aprs.html

From: Byron (w3wkr) on Wed Jan 3 18:49:05 2001
Just signing in.

From: John Stern () on Wed Jan 3 11:34:24 2001
Can anybody tell me where I can buy a miniature transmitter (the size of a coin) that sends out a very simple "beep".

From: St�phane GRANDGIRARD (F1SRX) on Wed Jan 3 04:24:02 2001
Hello, i'm using tiny with UI View, but with a GPS, the position appears like compressed; How do do ? Thanks and happy new year. 73.
TinyTrak sends the compressed binary MIC-E format only, not a human readable text format. I believe UIView can handle decoding that format.

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