Project14 | Winners Announcement: RF Projects in the Sub-1GHz Range!

25 Oct 2023

Congratulations to robogary forArduino Nano Wireless Morse Code Key (Ver 1 and Ver2) using 433 MHz FS1000A Xmtr and Receiver modules! You are the Grand Prize Winner and win a $200 Shopping Cart!

Congratulations to kmikemoo for The Frugal Fox , JWx for Radio controlled clock/weather station using second-hand Oregon outdoor sensor, and balajivan1995 for Sub-1GHz Band Challenge – Home Automation using LoRa with HMI display ! You are the First Place Winners and win a $100 Shopping Cart!

In the Sub-1GHz competition, our members were challenged to create projects utilizing RF communication on sub-1GHz bands like 315 MHz, 433 MHz, 868 MHz, or 915 MHz. The grand prize was awarded to "Arduino Nano Wireless Morse Code Key (Ver 1 and Ver2)" by robogary , the goal was to simplify the use of Morse code keys in amateur radio setups by creating a wireless Morse code key using Arduino Nanos and 433 MHz modules. The project addresses common issues like tangled wires and awkward hand positions associated with wired Morse code keys.

Also, winning a shopping cart were are first place finishers. "The Frugal Fox" by kmikemoo, explores the world of radio direction finding (RDF) and hidden transmitters known as "foxes" in amateur radio. The project focuses on creating a low-cost and lower-powered transmitter for this sport using affordable RF modules operating at 433 MHz.

The project "Radio controlled clock/weather station using second-hand Oregon outdoor sensor" by JWx investigates a second-hand outdoor weather sensor set, with a particular focus on one sensor that receives the DCF77 long wave reference clock signal used for synchronizing wall clocks. The project successfully decodes datetime frames and weather data from the sensor, building a base station that displays time, temperature, and humidity data received from the sensor.

Finally, "Sub-1GHz Band Challenge - STM32WL Nucleo board unboxing and kickstarting development" by balajivan1995 involves the exploration of NUCLEO-WL55JC1 Nucleo boards with a focus on hardware specifications and programming using MBED cloud studio. The project covers a "Hello World" program demonstrating LED blinking and serial communication. It also includes plans for future developments such as wireless message transmission and outdoor performance of LoRa communication. Furthermore, the project explores the creation of a wireless home automation device with an HMI display.

Grand Prize Winner:

Arduino Nano Wireless Morse Code Key (Ver 1 and Ver2) using 433 MHz FS1000A Xmtr and Receiver modules by robogary

Using a corded morse code key on an amateur radio station can get clumsy and annoying. Connection wires are always in the way and getting tangled, hand and wrist positions get awkward, the morse key gets in the way of other things near the radio like the PC mouse & keyboard, etc……etc.

This project by robogary attempts to solve issues associated with using a wired Morse code key in amateur radio setups. Wires tangling, awkward hand positions, and key interference with other equipment are common annoyances. The solution? A wireless Morse code key, similar to a wireless mouse. The project uses Arduino Nanos and the FS1000A 433 MHz receiver and transmitter for radio communication. The initial attempt sends "closed" and "open" signals in Version 1, albeit at a slower speed. In Version 2, we upgrade the receiver with an Arduino Nano RP2040 for better performance, and Version 2.1 refines the keyer's transmit logic with edge detection to reduce pauses. Looking ahead to Version 3, we may explore an Arduino master/slave setup using i2C. This project offers a wireless solution to the common hassles experienced by Morse code enthusiasts.

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First Place Winners:

The Frugal Fox by kmikemoo

What does a fox Fox have to do with electronics? In Amateur Radio circles, a "fox" is a hidden transmitter and it is used in the sport of radio direction finding (RDF). This can range from Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF), often called Radio Orienteering, to a cleverly hidden and camouflaged beacon transmitter for the radio version of Hide-and-Seek. RDF activities can generate a lot of enthusiasm. However... Amateur Radio clubs across the globe will attest that this interest can also be VERY short-lived. This makes the "cost to implement" a real consideration.

In this project, kmikemoo ventures into the world of radio direction finding (RDF) and hidden transmitters, often referred to as "foxes" in amateur radio. They discuss the motivation behind creating a low-cost and lower-powered transmitter for this sport. The project revolves around utilizing affordable RF modules operating at 433MHz, making it a cost-effective solution for the amateur radio community. The author details the modifications made to the transmitter modules, their connection to an Arduino Nano for generating Morse code, and the challenges faced in achieving better audio output. The project concludes with a cost-effective, functional transmitter, perfect for outdoor activities. Despite some meandering along the way, the project delivers a fun and educational experience.

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Radio controlled clock/weather station using second-hand Oregon outdoor sensor by JWx

In this project, JWx explores the potential of a second-hand outdoor weather sensor set, primarily focusing on one sensor that not only measures temperature and humidity but also serves as a receiver for the DCF77 long wave reference clock signal. This clock signal, broadcasted at 77.5kHz, is used for synchronizing wall clocks. The goal is to receive this DCF77 signal and transmit timestamps to a base station using the 433MHz frequency band. The project involves researching the Oregon Scientific sensor communication protocol, experimenting with different decoders, and finally, successfully decoding datetime frames and weather data from the sensor. The project includes the construction of a base station with a 4-digit 7-segment display, Arduino Nano, DS1302 RTC module, and a radio receiver to create a complete radio-controlled clock with weather data readout. JWx provides schematics and source code for the base station, showcasing a working wireless weather station that displays time, temperature, and humidity data received from the sensor.

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Sub-1GHz Band Challenge - STM32WL Nucleo board unboxing and kickstarting development by balajivan1995

This project revolves around exploring the capabilities of NUCLEO-WL55JC1 Nucleo boards. The project starts with an introduction to the hardware specifications of these boards, which include dual-core 32-bit ARM Cortex controllers, 256-Kbyte Flash memory, an RF transceiver supporting various modulations, user LEDs and buttons, and support for multiple communication protocols. balajivan1995 provides unboxing details and then proceeds to program the controller using the MBED cloud studio. The project demonstrates a "Hello World" program, where the controller blinks an LED and transmits its status over serial communication. balajivan1995 discusses debugging capabilities and shares plans for future blog posts, such as wireless message transmission and outdoor performance of LoRa communication. Additionally, the project showcases the creation of a wireless home automation device with an HMI display interfaced to it, covering sensor and responder nodes, code explanations, and issues faced during development. The project concludes with future enhancements and a summary of the achieved results.

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Honorable Mention:

Project14 | Sub-1GHz Band Challenge - Unboxing and running demo programs by rsc

This project involves the exploration and experimentation with the STM32WL55 board, which is more complex than initially expected. The project begins with the unboxing and running of the preprogrammed demonstration code for the STM32WL55 board, and the author decides to use Mbed Studio for programming. The initial tests involve running a simple "Blinky" program, both in its original form and a modified version. The project also discusses plans to turn on the radio module, aiming to develop a Ham Radio Fox-like device using the Nucleo-STM32WL55 board optimized for 433MHz to 510MHz. The project evolves from using Mbed Studio to STM32CubeIDE and explores STM32CubeWL examples, specifically the "SubGHz_Phy_Per" example to determine Packet Error Rates (PER) between two radios. The author configures the software for both the RX and TX boards, testing their configuration with a spectrum analyzer and handheld ham transceiver. The project also delves into audio modulation and range testing, promising further developments in the future.