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GPS Tag Tracker

3dprinterwannabe

Is it possible to create a wireless, trackable tag, that can send its location for miles and miles, to a base station, so that it can be tracked 24/7? What if we could take all of the HAB, GPS, and cellular projects we see these days, and combine them into a compact device that can be tracked cheaply, without having to be tethered by internet connections? I like mountain biking. What If I wanted to go on a week long trip across my state? Could I make a tag that I could wear, and be tracked by my parents by a computer at a home base? How could I use a Raspberry Pi to ping a GPS packet to another computer, or device, and be tracked in almost real time? I want a device that I can make with amateur skills, that can be tracked at little or no cost, without the need for a subscription to an expensive data service. Thanks!

  • 0

    The only way you could do this is for your tag to transmit location data to a satellite relay station.

    It won't be cheap and it won't be low power.

    Here's a link to  a possibly suitable satellite modem:

     

    http://www.sattransusa.com/irid-9602.html

     

    It doesn't meet any of the goals on your wish list but that's because you are wishing for the moon !

     

    A low power solution that comes close is carrier pigeons - amateurs can train and look after them, they can be carried on a bike, they need  a little food and water, you can write your location on a little bit of paper and the pigeon will fly it home. It's not very real time but meets all your other goals.

     

    MK

  • 0

    Some years ago I was also thinking about a low-cost universal tracking system

    I started investigating the use of an ADS-B transmitter which is typically used to locate airplanes. The ADS-B receivers are installed all around the globe, so this solution should located you really everwhere. Additionally, it does not require any additional cost (i.e. subscriptions for sending data through a satellite link)

    At the time, a company (MITRE) was trying to build a 200$ transmitter... don't know hot this thing has evolved...

     

    Cheers

    Ambrogio

  • 0 in reply to amgalbu

    As far as I know ADS-B is for planes only - I doubt that adding mountain bikers to the load would be welcome.

     

    Also the ground stations' coverage is based on flying objects -  the coverage for ground level in mountains would be very poor indeed.

     

    MK

  • 0 in reply to amgalbu

    ADSB is for planes and most plane safety H/W costs a fortune I'm not sure of the state of the $200 transmitter (although $200 is still high for this application as  standard GPS trackers using GSM are around half that).

     

    I would also say that since it's for plane Safety I'm not sure about the current legality using it for a ground device and certainly once every one did it and wrecked ADSB they would soon prevent it's use.

     

    Also if on the ground I'm sure the reception radius will be severely impacted as 1090MHZ reception will be largely line of sight.

  • 0

    The problem you have is you need to define your project scope more tightly are we talking "miles and miles" i.e 1-10 miles or 1-1000 miles or further.

    The technology you can use legally/financially/technically  will change dependant on what infrastructure you are providing and the location. For example in a city GSM back haul is practical and low cost, but a high frequency backhaul like ADSB just wouldn't really work. If your problem is in  the middle of the Atlantic then maybe a Satellite is more practical .

     

    What is your project ?

  • 0 in reply to michaelkellett

    Michael Kellett wrote:

     

    Also the ground stations' coverage is based on flying objects -  the coverage for ground level in mountains would be very poor indeed.

    Altitude is indeed a very real consideration to make.

  • 0 in reply to gadget.iom

    Agreed essentially 1090MHZ may as well be WIFI as far as propagation is concerned(Over simplification alert image )and unless you had similar or preferably much lower power levels the battery size would be absolutely monster image

  • 0 in reply to Problemchild

    John Alexander wrote:

    and unless you had similar or preferably much lower power levels the battery size would be absolutely monster.

    Think I've found the perfect battery holder...

    image

  • 0 in reply to gadget.iom

    You know it's the truth, unfortunately unless you really define the problem the general solution is bigger and more complex and no doubt more expensive  than anything you can get comercially

  • 0 in reply to Problemchild

    John Alexander wrote:

     

    I would also say that since it's for plane Safety I'm not sure about the current legality using it for a ground device and certainly once every one did it and wrecked ADSB they would soon prevent it's use.

     

    Also if on the ground I'm sure the reception radius will be severely impacted as 1090MHZ reception will be largely line of sight.

    The "general rule" is that you are NOT allowed to transmit ANYTHING. The exceptions are "by accident if it is very little" (i.e. you conform to FCC emissions standards). and if you are transmitting in one of a few bands that are allowed for general use.

     

    So transmitting on ADSB frequency (1090MHz) would be very illegal unless you have an official ADSB transmitter and are using it for the original purpose: sending out the location of your plane.

     

    I have experimented with ADSB: I have "line of sight" to airplanes flying up to 200km away.... :-) (from my attic, through the roof!)