I sometimes receive emails asking which HAB tracker is best to buy, so here I will compare the ones I have direct knowledge of. First though, if you have or want to have the ability to build and code your own tracker, do that instead! It’s much more educational to walk that path, rather than take the easy option of buying a ready-made tracker. It’s also far more rewarding. Or if you prefer, you could build your own tracker but use existing software, or buy a pre-built tracker and write your own software.
If you want to DIY the electronics and/or software, and if you can you should, then check out these resources:
- Connect Arduino to NTX2 Radio Transmitter
- General but slightly out of date info on using the Pi as a tracker
- Tiny tracker based on Arduino Mini Pro
- Pi Zero Tracker with live images
- Software for Pi Tracker
- Software for Arduino Tracker
Now for the comparison, including the PITS (Pi In The Sky) board, PITS Zero and HABDuino:
| PITS (Full Size) | PITS Zero | HABDuino | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmits RTTY | Yes | Yes | Optional |
| Transmits LoRa | Optional (choose from 434, 868 and 915MHz add-on cards) | Yes (choose from 434, 868 and 915MHz modules) | No |
| Transmits APRS | Optional (choose from 144.390MHz (USA), 144.800MHz (Europe) and 145.175MHz (Australia)) | No | Optional (choose from 144.390MHz (USA), 144.800MHz (Europe) and 145.175MHz (Australia)) |
| Transmits Live Images | Yes, over RTTY or LoRa | Yes, over RTTY or LoRa | No |
| Soldered connections for external DS18B20 | Yes | No | No |
| Soldered connections for external BMP085/BMP180/BME280 | Yes | No | No |
| Supports Pi Sense Hat | Yes | No | No |
| Software Predicts Landing Position During Descent | Yes | Yes | No |
Hi Dave
Is there any reason why this technology wouldn’t work to track a buoy (or buoys) at sea, from a boat.