EYTraker

Real-time APRS tracking for South African radio amateurs.

The EYTraker unit is a complete real-time APRS tracking solution, with an onboard GPS device, a 4G LTE module with SIM card holder and an integrated micro-controlled management system to control the OEM modules.

There is no need for any additional radio or GPS equipment. The EYTraker does all the tracking, in a small form factor, directly onto aprs.fi or any APRS-compatible software system, anywhere in South Africa.

It works wherever there is GSM coverage. That is its big advantage: you do not need to be within range of an APRS digital repeater for the unit to function and relay its position.

The firmware for the current EYTraker units is open source and available on request by email. This is to protect the APRS network from unlicensed users.

Realtime APRS tracking Downloads Getting stuck?

Current available tracking units

LTE trackers, from the original SAMD21 design to the newer ESP32-S3 board.

EYTraker V8 LTE board

EYTraker V8 LTE

The EYTraker was ported to a larger microcontroller, and by using the 4G (LTE) network for data transport the tracking reliability has increased.

Firmware V8.21fSAMD21SimCOM A7600
EYTraker V9 LTE board

EYTraker V9 LTE

The LTE unit is used in favour of a more cost-effective CAT 1 LTE module.

Firmware V9.20SAMD21SimCOM A7670E
EYTraker V11 LTE board

EYTraker V11 LTE

The V9.xx firmware was ported to a more powerful ESP32-S3 controller using the more cost-effective CAT 1 LTE module.

Firmware V11.21ESP32-S3SimCOM A7670E

At a glance

Current units side by side.

V8 LTEV9 LTEV11 LTE
FirmwareV8.21fV9.20V11.21
MicroprocessorSAMD21SAMD21ESP32-S3
LTE moduleSimCOM A7600SimCOM A7670E (CAT 1)SimCOM A7670E (CAT 1)

Other projects

EYBridge web interface

EYBridge

Visualise your EYTraker units in a web-based environment and expose numerous tracking data endpoints to your MQTT broker for integration into Home Assistant or other applications. Tracking data is obtained from an APRS Java server.

Runs on any ESP32 Dev Module, using the full .bin install file from the download section.

A remote management configuration environment is also included for EYTrakers running firmware 11.16 and higher.

ESP32MQTTHome Assistant
EYTraker USB Configuration App

EYTraker USB Configuration App

Lets trackers running v9.20 and v11.20 (or higher) firmware connect over a USB cable to configure the tracking unit.

It's coded in Python, with the source available to run in Visual Studio Code or as a precompiled .exe file.

Flash Utility

Flashes the ESP32-S3 in the EYTraker V11, the ESP32 and the ESP8266 units. Available on the download page.

PythonWindows .exe
ESP8266 automatic rain gauge

ESP8266 Automatic Rain Gauge

More details coming soon. In the meantime, browse to the download page for the ESP8266 .bin file and a detailed manual explaining the design, how it works and how to implement it.

ESP8266

More other projects

Nano SDR Receiver

Nano SDR Receiver

An adaptation of the very popular uSDX radio, for better understanding SDR radios and how they work under the hood.

Tested on 40 m and 20 m with good reception for USB voice and FT8 decoding. Full source code and design details are on the download page.

SDR40 m / 20 mFT8
GPS disciplined oscillator

GPS Disciplined Oscillator

An older project that is no longer feasible because the VCO chip has become obsolete. It is shared for further learning.

All download details, including source code, are on the download page.

Archived

PrePaid Helper

An ESP8266-based project that counts the flashes from your prepaid electricity meter and generates MQTT payloads you can import into Home Assistant.

The interface is fully web-driven, including options to display and update remaining prepaid credits with daily and monthly consumption. A real-time energy consumption estimate is also shown.

The download page has the full .bin file and 3D-printed part files. Use the EYTraker Flash Utility to program the ESP8266.

ESP8266MQTTHome Assistant

Legacy tracking units

Still active but deprecated. All three are based on the Telit GM-862 GSM/GPS module on a custom PCB using a PIC18F252 microcontroller (V6 uses the SimCOM SIM808 and an ATMega328).

EYTraker V5 Pro board

EYTraker V5 Pro 2G

Updated with a switch-mode power supply and also features a messaging microcontroller.

Firmware V5.12Telit 2G/GPSPIC18F252 + 16F84
EYTraker V6 board with SIM808 module

EYTraker V6 2G

Uses the GSM 2G network to connect to the APRS internet servers, which can be unreliable because of 2G congestion and oversubscription. Two versions exist, with analogue (LM35) or digital (DS1820) temperature measurement.

Firmware V6.37SimCOM SIM808ATMega328

Availability

Because of the way the EYTrakers are configured, the units can be built and configured by any amateur with basic project construction knowledge. I do make complete units available from time to time, so drop me an email to discuss.

See the EYTraker V9 page or EYTraker V11 page for more on the components needed to build and configure the tracking units.

The download page has all the firmware .bin files and the USB configuration application.

The ESP32-S3 version of the LTE board can be purchased from Micro Robotics, but it can be out of stock from time to time.

Getting stuck guidelines

If you get stuck with any of the projects, read this first:

  • All the firmware and software for the projects is in the download section. Detailed revision documentation is included for all published firmware to explain why there are so many versions.
  • Select the correct USB COM port in the USB configuration and Flashing utility, otherwise the programs won't work correctly. The programs are not digitally signed, so MS SmartScreen will flag the executables: click More info and run anyway. The programs are virus free.
  • There are two types of .bin firmware files in the download section. Use the FULL versions when flashing with the Flash Utility and the OTA.bin files when updating from the web-based firmware. The ESP8266 uses the same file for both, so those files are named OTA+FULL.bin.
  • Only use the "Erase entire flash before programming (factory-clean install)" option in the Flash Utility if you intend to remove all the EEPROM and NVS data.
  • The correct USB COM port drivers must be installed. ESP32 boards use the CP2102 USB-to-UART chip. A Google search will show you the way.
  • No MQTT broker available and want to test the firmware? Use test.mosquitto.org on port 1883 with no authentication (no username or password).
  • Consider downloading MQTT Explorer to view published MQTT data. It is very handy for troubleshooting and for getting a better visual understanding of MQTT data.
  • On the EYTraker units, make sure the GPS and GSM antennas are connected correctly. Active GPS antennas work better than the small ceramic antennas that ship with the PCBs. On a new install the GPS can take a few minutes to download satellite ephemeris data and will not connect immediately. Be patient.
  • All units output detailed serial data on their USB COM ports for troubleshooting. The best option is the Arduino IDE serial monitor, or a program like Tera Term, since Windows does not ship with a serial monitor.
  • If you are still stuck, send me an email so we can try to resolve the issue.

More information

APRS-ZA Java server: it now has a fixed IP address and is hosted by GamCo in Rosebank. This change provides power supply and network connectivity redundancy for the APRS community in South Africa. Status page: http://www.aprs-za.com:14501
The APRS identifier for the EYTraker has been updated to APCLEY from the original APGPRS. This identifier conforms to the APRS identifier list, which can be found here: APRS UNProto List.
Please note: EYTraker and EYBridge are only available to licensed radio amateurs.
Realtime APRS tracking HERE →